Attorney Directory: John A. Hill

Mr. Hill has more than 17 years of experience in handling immigration matters for corporations and foreign investors. He helps large and small corporations acquire employment-based visas for key employees so they will be authorized for employment in the United States. His experience includes obtaining temporary, nonimmigrant "work visas" in the E-1, E-2, L-1, H-1B, TN, J-1, Q-1, and O-1 categories and permanent immigrant visas (commonly referred to as "green cards") based on the multinational executive and manager, investment, labor certification, reduction in recruitment, national interest waiver, extraordinary person, professional employee, and professor/researcher strategies. Mr. Hill also counsels businesses in I-9 employment eligibility issues, including self-audits, government investigations, and preparation of compliance programs. In addition to his extensive immigration experience, Mr. Hill provides counsel regarding general corporate matters for foreign-owned corporations doing business in the United States and U.S. businesses engaging in export transactions.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Hill was a shareholder at Berry, Adams, Quackenbush & Dunbar, P.A. From 1986 to 1988, he worked for the International Trade Administration and the Bureau of Export Administration of the U.S. Commerce Department in Washington, D.C.

Matters that Mr. Hill has handled include:

Securing temporary "work visas" and "green cards" for the foreign managers and engineers at all North American locations of a European-based multinational automotive parts manufacturer.

Assisting a German-owned manufacturer of electric components to establish a manufacturing facility in the United States and handling follow-up corporate and immigration matters on an ongoing basis.

Representing a large Belgian-owned high-tech company in arranging visas to transfer key personnel from its foreign affiliates to subsidiaries located throughout the United States.

Drafting and negotiating foreign distributorship agreements for the export of construction products from the United States to Japan and Thailand.
Assisting a large U.S. textile manufacturer in preparing an employment eligibility compliance program and related corporate policies to achieve improved I-9 compliance and defend against government investigations.

Planning immigration strategy for a Canadian manufacturer expanding into the United States.

Helping foreign investors incorporate and establish small businesses in the United States and obtain appropriate visas to operate the company.

Law School: J.D., University of Georgia School of Law, 1983 (Articles Editor, Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law