Janet H. Cheetham

Janet is an experienced Seattle immigration attorney who has practiced exclusively in the area of immigration and nationality law since 1981. She is the former Chair of the Seattle Immigration Group and represents businesses and individual clients on all aspects of immigration matters.

Janet has extensive experience in processing E-1 treaty trader visas, E-2 treaty investor visas, H-1B professional visas, H-2B temporary worker visas, J-1 exchange visitors, K-1 fiancé petitions, K-3 visas based on marriage to a U.S. citizen, I-751 petitions O-1 and L-1A managers and L-1B intra-company transferee nonimmigrant visas. She processes immigrant petitions involving marriage and adoption petitions, citizenship and naturalization petitions. Janet processes many labor certifications under the PERM regulations, employment based petitions, EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, outstanding researchers and faculty members, professors and persons of extraordinary ability. Janet is able to file relative cases under the new DOMA decision for LGBT couples. She also has the experience to assist individuals who are seeking information for DACA (“Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals”). However, she does not handle cases involving deportation and removal, asylum, refugees, or immigration-related criminal issues.

Janet represents clients in a broad range of industries including fisheries, maritime, freight forwarding, computer technology, software development, banking, real estate, import-export, and forestry. She also advises corporate clients on employer sanctions, I-9 and E-verify issues. Her practice requires her to deal on a regular basis with USCIS, Department of Labor, Department of State and consulates around the world. Janet was selected to be Special Assistant for the State of Washington’s immigration matters.

She claims one of the most rewarding aspects of her practice is what she calls “the returning client”, where a former client from 10 or more years ago returns seeking immigration advice for a family, friend, or even their own citizenship. “It makes me feel wonderful to know they trust me and have continued confidence in my abilities to navigate the maze of ever-changing immigration laws,” Janet says.

Honors & Awards

• Rated 10/10 on Avvo.com
• Awarded “Top Rated Lawyer” by Avvo (2022)
• Recognized by Washington Super Lawyers® for “Going 25 for 25” as a Top-Rated Immigration Lawyer (2022)
• Washington Super Lawyers® (2003-present)
• Best Lawyers in America® (2003-present)
• Awarded AV Preeminent Attorney – Judicial Edition by Martindale-Hubbell (2022)
• American Registry – Top Women Attorneys In Washington (2020)
• Chambers USA, ranked in top tier for Immigration Lawyers (2008-present)
• International Who’s Who-Corporate Immigration Lawyers® (2008-present)
• Martindale Hubbell AV® Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards (2003-present)
• Listed in the following award publications:
  • Seattle Met Magazine, Top Women Attorneys in Washington
  • Seattle Business Magazine, Seattle’s Best Lawyers 
  • Who’s Who of Business Lawyers®
  • Washington Law & Politics, Top 50 Women Lawyers in Washington State (2008, 2010)
  • Two Thousand Notable American Women

Professional & Community Activities

• Washington State Bar Association
• King County Bar Association
• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), frequent speaker and committee member
• Certified by Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Immigration and Nationality Law, (1986-present)

Publications & Speaking Engagements

• Co-author, Department of Homeland Security Considers Policy Change That Would Prevent H-1B Extensions (January, 2018)
• Co-author, Supreme Court Upholds Travel Ban (December, 2017)
• Co-author, Policy Change Regarding Advance Parole for Adjustment of Status (AOS) Applicants (August, 2017)
• Co-author, 5 Things You Should Know About the President’s Executive Order on Immigration (March, 2017)
• Co-author, Workplace Site Visits – What You Can Do To Prepare (February, 2017)
• Co-author, Seattle Federal Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction Extending Nationwide Block of President’s Executive Order on Immigration (February, 2017)
• Co-author, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds TRO on Travel Ban (February, 2017)
• Co-author, President’s Immigration Ban Temporarily Suspended (February, 2017)
• Co-author, Immigration Alert: Impact of Proposed White House Executive Order on Employment-Based Immigration (February, 2017)
• Co-author, Employers Advised to File H-1B Petitions for Employees in TN Status (February, 2017)
• Co-author, President’s Executive Order Suspends Entry Into U.S. for Foreign Nationals from Seven Countries and Impacts Visa Processing (January, 2017)
• Co-author, President’s Executive Order Expected to Suspend Entry into U.S. for Foreign Nationals from Seven Countries (January, 2017)
• Co-author, Important Information for Employers and Students on Implementation of the New 24-Month STEM OPT Regulation (2016)
• The STEM OPT Extension Lawsuit and Its Impact on Employers and Employees (2016)
• Proposed New Rule to Benefit Employees on Temporary Visas in Employment Based Green Card Process (2016)
• USCIS Announces Revised Procedure for Determining Immigrant Visa Availability- Likely to Help Many File I-485 Applications (2015)
• Speaker, NAFTA & TN Issues, American Immigration Lawyers Association Conference (2009)
• Speaker, Immigration Institute, Washington State Bar Association (2009)
• Editor-in-Chief, Immigration Practice & Procedure Under the North American Free Trade Agreement, American Immigration Lawyers Association (2006)
• Speaker, “Reality of Business Immigration,” PERM processing, AILA Midyear Conference (2006)
• Author, Edition of “Reality of Business Immigration,” AILA Publication (2006)
• Speaker, “Employer Compliance for Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification),” Lorman Education Services (2005)