Marsha serves as Chair of the Seattle Immigration Group and focuses her practice exclusively in the area of U.S. Immigration and Naturalization law. She advises clients on family and employment-based U.S. immigration law, and assists both corporate and individual clients with all aspects of the immigration process. She advocates for her clients on a wide range of cases, including: H-1B professionals, E-2 Treaty investors, L-1 intra-company transfers, TN professionals, J-1 exchange visitors, F-1 students, EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, outstanding researchers, professors, and persons of extraordinary ability, and labor certifications under PERM regulations. She has also worked on VAWA cases, naturalizations, and a range of family-based permanent residence cases.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Marsha worked within the immigration field as a researcher, visiting international professional, and as a volunteer.
Professional & Community Activities
- Chair, American Immigration Lawyers Association Executive Committee – Washington State Chapter (2019-present)
- Vice Chair, American Immigration Lawyers Association Executive Committee – Washington State Chapter (2017-2019)
- Secretary, American Immigration Lawyers Association Executive Committee – Washington State Chapter (2016)
- Member, Washington Technology Industry Association (2016)
- Membership Chair, American Immigration Lawyers Association Executive Committee – Washington State Chapter (2015)
- Vice President of Diversity, Washington Women Lawyers (2013-present)
- Member, South Asian Bar Association (2013-present)
- Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (2013-present)
- Co-chair, American Immigration Lawyers Association – Washington State Chapter New Members Division (2013-2015)
- Volunteer Immigration Attorney, King County Bar Association Neighborhood Legal Clinics (2013-present)
- Seattle Human Rights Commissioner, Seattle Human Rights Commission (2011-2014)
- Volunteer, Pro Bono Attorney, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (2010-present)
Publications & Speaking Engagements
- Speaker, “Nailing Down the Basics – A Comprehensive Introduction to Immigration Law”, AILA Washington Chapter (February 2021)
- Co-author, Significant Delays by USCIS in Processing and Issuance of Post-Completion OPT EADs for International Students (June, 2019)
- Co-author, Department of Labor Operations During the Government Shutdown (January, 2019)
- Co-author, The Invisible Wall: Limits to Business Immigration Under the Current Administration, Washington State Bar Association Business Law Section Newsletter (Fall 2018)
- 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)
- Speaker, U.S. Immigration Under the Current Administration (September, 2017)
- Author, Is Your Business Prepared for an I-9 Audit? (September, 2017)
- Co-author, Policy Change Regarding Advance Parole for Adjustment of Status (AOS) Applicants (August, 2017)
- Author, Supreme Court Decision Upholds Limited Version of President’s Travel Ban (June, 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)
- Speaker, How to Prepare for the 2017 H-1B Lottery (January, 2017)
- Speaker, “How to Prepare for the H-1B Lottery” Webinar (2015)
- Speaker, Ryan Swanson Annual Employment Law Seminar (2014, 2015)
- Speaker, “I-9 Audit Basics & Best Practices for Employers” Webinar (2014)
- Speaker, “Immigration Reform: The Impact of Current Legislation on Washington Employers,” Puget Sound Business Journal Seminar (2013)
- Featured, International Human Rights Clinic Team to Argue Before Inter-American Court, Seattle University School of Law News Archive (2009)
- Featured, Clinic Cases Help Students Make a Difference, King County Bar Association Bar Bulletin (2009)
Languages
- Malayalam (dialect of Kerala, India)