Lead Business Immigration Attorney

I counsel and assist employers in getting the right visas for their international employees; in developing policies that work well with a multi-national workforce and in otherwise counseling clients on compliance with challenging immigration-related laws and regulations.

My team and I love what we do – working with employers and interacting with individuals from around the globe makes every day interesting and a growth opportunity. That ernest enjoyment and commitment shines through in our client relationships.

Call me to talk about having a relationship with your Immigration Team that is both expert and meaningful!

Specialties

Immigration, including (i) employer compliance (policy development, I-9 Process, E-Verify, FAR, etc.), (ii) compliance for colleges and universities (SEVIS), (iii) employment based temporary visas (H-1Bs, L-1A/Bs, Es, etc.), (iv) employment based permanent residency (PERM Labor Certification, EB1s, EB2 NIWs, etc.), and (v) investment-based immigration (E-2 and EB-5s).

Biography

Debra founded Dowd & Company PC to deliver immigration services premised on a strong foundation of education, knowledge, experience, technology and service. Debra is recognized as a leader in immigration, having been named amongst Virginia's Legal Elite and as one of Virginia's Super Lawyers. In 2002, she was recognized as the Commonwealth's top immigration lawyer.

The Team focuses on representing Employers and Individuals in the following areas of Immigration Law:

• Employer Counseling and Compliance
• Employment Based-Immigration
• Investment Based Immigration
• Family-Based Immigration
• Citizenship

With today's global workforce and changing immigration laws, employers – both international and domestic – rely on Debra's experience to develop and implement a smooth immigration plan for key workers and their families and to speed international mergers, acquisitions and contracts. 

Honor, Awards and Appointments

2002 to Present

• Special Counsel to the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Appointed by the Office of the Attorney General
• Influential Women of Virginia
• Virginia's Legal Elite
• Virginia Super Lawyers
• Virginia's Top Immigration Lawyer (2002)
• Special Counsel to the Commonwealth of Virginia in immigration related litigation brought against several of Virginia's Universities and Colleges regarding their admission and enrollment policies for unlawfully present foreign national students.

2006

• Focus Group by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia to deliberate the impact of immigration on Virginia's Court System.

• Committee Member, appointed by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) to review and revise Virginia's In-State Tuition Domicile Guidelines.

Legal Experience

• Dowd & Company PC 2014 to Present
• LeClairRyan 2007 to 2015 
• Kaufman and Canoles 2002 – 2007 
• LeClairRyan 1991 – 2001 
• Hirschler Fleischer 1988 – 1991

Memberships and Affiliations

• American Immigration Lawyers Association
• Virginia State Bar

Community Service

• Venture Forum, Board
• Leadership Metro Richmond, Member (2005)
• Virginia Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Alliance, Inc., Executive Committee
• Executive Dialogue (Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce)