Edward L. Birk appointed to Florida Bar Media and Communications Committiee
Marks Gray P.A. Mar 27, 2014 in News
Monthly Archives from March 2014
Congratulations to Marks Gray Shareholder, Ed Birk who has been appointed chair of the Florida Bar Media and Communications Law Committee for 2014-15 by bar President-Elect Gregory Coleman. Ed Birk attended the University of Massachusetts-Amherst where he received his B.A. in Journalism in 1983. He earned his J.D. with honors in 1995 from Florida State University College of Law. He was the Editor-in-Chief of Florida State University Law Review. Mr. Birk practices primarily in the […]
Continue ReadingIt is with deep regret that Marks Gray reports the death of Henry Franklin Perritt Jr. Mr. Perritt was a dear friend and valued colleague of our firm for over 45 years. Mr. Perritt passed away March 8 after a valiant seven month battle against cancer. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Suzanne Clemons Perritt, daughter Felicia Perritt Otterbourg, grandchildren Lindsey Suzanne Otterbourg and Mark Logan Otterbourg, and cousins, and nieces. Mr. […]
Continue ReadingQ. As we approach the FY2015 H-1B filing season, I am asked, how does someone on OPT/EAD ending prior to October 1, 2014 bridge the cap of time between the end of their OPT and the beginning of the cap-subject H-1B status? A. Current regulations allow for eligible F-1 students to have their OPT/EAD status automatically extended to bridge the “cap-gap” between the end of their F-1 and the start of H-1B status. Eligible students must […]
Continue ReadingOn April 1, 2014 the FY2015 H-1B filing’s will begin. In a meeting with immigration attorneys, USCIS advised that they are arranging for appropriate staffing and are making plans to accommodate the expected significant number of petitions. They also advised that they are hopeful that they will adjudicate all petitions filed by October 1, 2014.
Continue ReadingEffective February 10, 2014 the DOS amended its NAFTA regulations and removed the employment petition requirement for Mexican citizens applying for a nonimmigrant TN classification. Under the current rules, Mexican nationals can file a TN application directly with the consulate rather than first obtaining an approval through USCIS. For additional information, please click here.
Continue ReadingDHS designated Chile the 38th country to join the Visa Waiver Program. Chile is the first Latin America country to be included in this program. Currently, most participants are European countries. As a result, beginning May 1, 2014 eligible Chilean passport holders can visit the U.S. for 90 days or less without first obtaining a visa at a consular post to travel for business or tourism to the U.S. However, they will be required to apply […]
Continue Reading