Simone Williams is an experienced EB-5 expert (Employment Based Immigrant Visa) who has been recognized as Top Ten, “30-something” Corporate Counsel by the Association of Corporate Counsel and as a top 40 lawyer under the age of 40 by the National Bar Association. Ms. Williams specializes in advising high net worth individuals on the EB-5 Entrepreneur Investment program and performs EB-5 Regional Center representation and compliance review. Ms. Williams has represented foreign investors from various countries, including China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Africa, India, Europe, Latin America, and Canada. In addition, Ms. Williams advises on the full scope of financing options that are available for funding new commercial enterprises or reviving businesses through the EB-5 Program. She has successfully helped Regional Centers receive and maintain their USCIS certification.

 

Ms. Williams has extensive experience advising international businesses and foreign investors on E, H, L and O visa categories, and immigrant visas, including EB-1, EB-2 as well as advising clients on I-9 compliance and related issues. Ms. Williams advises clients on establishing best practices and training programs regarding immigration and corporate compliance. Her expertise also includes representing clients in their defense of Immigration and Customs Enforcement targeted worksite enforcement actions and government investigations.

 

Ms. Williams held the position of General Counsel to a company designated as an “EB-5 Regional Center”. In this role, she managed an immigrant investment capital fund of over 60 million dollars and oversaw the EB-5 immigration process and procedures for the company and over 150 foreign investors.

 

Ms. Williams also worked as a Senior Associate for Baker & McKenzie LLP, an international law firm, for eight years. During her tenure at the firm’s offices in Toronto and Washington DC, Ms. Williams served as outside counsel to multinational corporations, Fortune 500 companies, and high-net worth foreign investors on a variety of global migration and business immigration issues, including EB-5 investments, immigration consequences of corporate restructuring, and requirements for transfers of key executives and highly skilled professionals.

 

Ms. Williams has spoken extensively on immigration law topics and appeared on local news to discuss hot topics in immigration law.

 

Ms. Williams is licensed to practice law in the U.S. and Canada. She earned her Juris Doctorate degree from the Howard University School of Law on a full academic scholarship. Ms. Williams is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association and the National Bar Association. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (cum laude) in Sociology from the University of Toronto, Canada, where she was on the Dean's Honor List and an Academic All-Canadian. She is also a Hall of Fame member of the University’s track and field team and a Nationally Ranked Athlete in Canadian Track and Field.