By Tort Law Team 
Nearly every major multinational company faces the same challenge: moving skilled talent across borders while staying fully compliant with shifting immigration rules. Delays in visa processing, compliance gaps, or poorly designed mobility programs can stall projects and raise costs.
This guide explains how Fragomen Del Rey Bernsen & Loewy LLP addresses those issues. As one of the world’s largest firms dedicated exclusively to immigration, it supports corporate HR managers, in-house counsel, talent acquisition teams, and individual professionals with end-to-end corporate immigration law solutions. You will learn about its history, core services, global reach, and how organizations and individuals work with the firm.
Firm History and Evolution
Fragomen began in 1951 in New York City as Elmer Fried P.C. Over seven decades it transformed from a domestic U.S. practice into a global organization focused solely on immigration.
Strategic expansion followed client needs. The firm opened offices across the United States, then established a presence in London in 2003 and continued growing throughout Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. Today it maintains more than 60 offices and delivers support in over 170 countries.
Its singular focus on immigration distinguishes it from full-service law firms. Attorneys, consultants, and support staff concentrate exclusively on visas, work permits, compliance, litigation, and mobility strategy. This specialization has earned consistent recognition from Chambers and Partners (Band 1 nationwide and in multiple jurisdictions) and inclusion among the Am Law 100 and Am Law Global 100 firms.
Core Practice Areas and Service Portfolio
Fragomen’s services go far beyond filing forms. The firm designs and manages entire immigration programs tailored to business objectives.
Corporate Immigration and Program Development
Companies of every size, from startups to Fortune 500 enterprises, turn to the firm for corporate immigration program development. Teams help design policies, select technology platforms, set performance metrics, and align immigration processes with broader talent and business goals.
Services include workflow analysis, industry benchmarking, and guidance on the immigration implications of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and reductions in force. The result is a scalable, compliant program that supports speed-to-ground for key hires.
Business Visa and Work Permit Services
Business visa services and work authorization form the backbone of daily operations. The firm prepares and files applications for temporary work permits, entry clearances, and related documents across more than 170 countries.
In the United States this includes high-volume H-1B visa processing, L-1 intracompany transfers, O-1 extraordinary ability petitions, and employment-based permanent residence pathways. Designated client teams manage each matter from start to finish, coordinating security clearances, medical exams, and consular processing when required.
Global Mobility Consulting
Global mobility consulting helps organizations plan cross-border assignments, remote-work arrangements, and digital-nomad policies. Fragomen advises on the full spectrum of temporary and permanent options while monitoring policy changes that could affect existing programs.
Its proprietary technology platform, Fragomen Connect, gives HR and mobility teams real-time visibility into case status, document requirements, and reporting.
Corporate Legal Compliance and Enforcement Defense
Corporate legal compliance remains a top priority for employers. The firm conducts internal I-9 and worksite audits, develops training programs, and designs preventive controls. When government investigations or enforcement actions arise, specialized teams provide immigration enforcement defense and representation.
This proactive approach reduces risk exposure and helps clients correct issues before they escalate.
Immigration Litigation and Government Relations
Complex matters sometimes require court action or direct engagement with agencies. Fragomen maintains dedicated immigration litigation capabilities and a government strategies practice that advises on policy developments and advocates before legislative and executive bodies.
These resources prove especially valuable for large-scale projects, industry-specific challenges, and responses to sudden regulatory shifts.
Private Client and Specialized Offerings
Individuals and families receive dedicated support for residency, citizenship by investment or descent, and complex personal immigration matters. Additional practice areas include crisis management, employment verification technology, consular services, and assistance integrating skilled displaced individuals into corporate talent pipelines.
Global Footprint and Industry Reach
Headquarters sit at 1400 Broadway in New York City. Major U.S. offices operate in Los Angeles, San Francisco/Silicon Valley, Irvine, Miami, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas/Houston, Washington D.C., and other key markets. International locations span Europe (including London and Sheffield), Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.
The firm serves clients across technology, financial services, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, energy, manufacturing, entertainment, higher education, and many other sectors. Its scale (approximately 6,000 professionals and staff, with roughly 780 attorneys in U.S. rankings) enables consistent service delivery whether a company needs a single visa or a multi-country mobility program for hundreds of employees.
Working with Fragomen: Practical Considerations
Organizations typically begin with a needs assessment. The firm assigns a dedicated team that learns the client’s business priorities, risk tolerance, and operational style. Technology tools then streamline document collection, case tracking, and reporting.
Clients frequently praise responsiveness, technical depth, and the ability to provide strategic scenario planning rather than purely reactive advice. Chambers client feedback highlights the combination of regulatory insight, litigation capability, and practical problem-solving.
For individual professionals seeking employment-based immigration, the same infrastructure supports personalized guidance through nonimmigrant and immigrant pathways while coordinating with employers when sponsorship is required.
Prospective clients should prepare key details: current workforce mobility needs, target countries, compliance history, and any pending transactions or investigations. Clear communication of business goals allows the firm to recommend efficient, compliant solutions.
Reputation, Rankings, and Thought Leadership
Year after year, independent rankings place Fragomen at the top of the immigration market. Chambers USA has awarded Band 1 rankings nationwide and in numerous states for consecutive years. Best Lawyers ranks the firm Tier 1 nationally for Immigration Law.
The firm invests in knowledge resources, including regional immigration overviews, policy alerts, and the Center for Strategy and Applied Insights. These materials help clients anticipate regulatory changes rather than merely react to them.
Its exclusive focus on immigration, combined with technology investment and global coverage, continues to differentiate it from general practice firms that treat immigration as one practice among many.
Key Takeaways for Decision Makers
Fragomen Del Rey Bernsen & Loewy LLP offers a comprehensive platform for organizations and individuals navigating corporate immigration law. Its depth in business visa services, global mobility consulting, employment-based immigration, compliance, and litigation makes it a frequent choice for sophisticated clients.
Whether you manage a high-volume H-1B program, expand into new markets, or need strategic advice on evolving rules, the firm’s specialized resources and worldwide network provide practical support.
To explore how these services align with your needs, contact the firm through its official website or a local office. A consultation can clarify options, timelines, and next steps tailored to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of clients does Fragomen primarily serve?
The firm works with multinational corporations, mid-sized companies, startups, academic institutions, nonprofits, and individual professionals and their families. Services scale from single cases to enterprise-wide global mobility programs.
Does the firm handle only U.S. immigration matters?
No. While it maintains a strong U.S. practice, it delivers immigration support in more than 170 countries through its international network of offices and professionals.
How does Fragomen approach H-1B and other employment-based visas?
Dedicated teams manage the full lifecycle of H-1B visa processing and related categories, including strategy, petition preparation, compliance, and responses to requests for evidence or audits.
What technology does the firm use?
Fragomen Connect and related platforms provide case management, document tools, reporting, and visibility for HR and mobility teams.
Is the firm ranked highly for immigration work?
Yes. It holds Band 1 rankings from Chambers in multiple jurisdictions and nationwide, plus Tier 1 recognition from Best Lawyers and consistent placement among the Am Law 100 firms.
Can individuals work directly with Fragomen?
Yes. Private client services address personal residency, citizenship, and family immigration matters in addition to employment-based cases.
How should a company begin an engagement?
Most organizations start with a discussion of current programs, pain points, and goals. The firm then proposes a tailored approach that may include program review, technology setup, and ongoing case handling.
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