- Overview
- Recognitions
- Publications
- Insights
Overview
Mary Kate Fernandez focuses exclusively on business immigration, representing employers across a range of industries. With experience guiding clients through U.S. immigration regulations, she helps businesses sponsor and retain skilled talent from around the world.
Mary Kate also assists employers in addressing a wide range of employment issues related to immigration and international employment, ensuring they remain compliant with regulations. Her proactive approach to compliance and advisement helps clients navigate regulatory challenges, respond to audits, and mitigate risk, enabling them to confidently build and retain a global workforce.
Comfortable working across multiple administrative and regulatory agencies, Mary Kate has established contacts and experience liaising with the Department of Labor (DOL), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Department of State (DOS), and U.S. consulates worldwide. This network enables her to guide clients effectively through regulatory requirements across different jurisdictions.
Mary Kate’s areas of focus include:
- B-1/B-2 visa applications
- H-1B lottery registration and petitions
- H-1B cap exemption
- H-2B advisement
- J-1 visa waivers and direct sponsorship
- F-1, OPT, and STEM OPT
- PERM labor certification
- EB-1, EB-1 NIW, EB-2, and EB-3 petitions
- E-3 visas
- F-1 visas
- STEM OPT
- Naturalization
- Family and marriage-based petitions
- EB-5 entity formation and petitions
- ESTA advisement
- L-1 visas
- TN visas
- Letters of Determination (LODs) requests to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
- POLO endorsement letters, POEA clearance, and Overseas Employment Certificates (OEC) for Filipino employees
- Guidance on expatriation abroad and international employment compliance
- Department of Labor (DOL) compliance investigations
- I-9 advisement
- E-Verify registration and compliance
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Education
- Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, J.D. cum laude | 2020
- University of New Orleans, B.F.A. Film and Digital Media cum laude | 2015
Bar Admissions
- Louisiana
Related Services
Recognitions
- Warren E. Mouledoux Professional Responsibility Award, 2019
Education
- Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, J.D. cum laude | 2020
- University of New Orleans, B.F.A. Film and Digital Media cum laude | 2015
Bar Admissions
- Louisiana
Related Services
Publications
- "Trump, Musk, and the Future of the H-1B Visa: What to Expect for FY2026," Adams & Reese Business Immigration Client Alert, February 2025
- "Navigating Immigration Challenges in Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions," Adams & Reese Business Immigration/M&A Client Alert, April 2024
- "Who Pays for Remote Work Expenses? - Navigating Employer, Employee Responsibilities," Adams & Reese L&E Client Alert, February 2024
- "Navigating the H-1B Visa Lottery Registration: Essential Guide for Employers," Adams & Reese Business Immigration Client Alert, January 2024
- "Remedying the Doctor Shortage with the J-1 Visa Waiver: What is Conrad 30 and How Can It Help Your State," Adams & Reese Business Immigration Client Alert, May 2023, published in Physicians Practice
- "U.S. Fifth Circuit's Holding is Nail in the Coffin for Employers' Written Stipulation Rule," Adams & Reese Insurance Client Alert, September 2022
- "Employers Beware: La. Supreme Court Opens Line for Direct Negligence Claims from Employee Actions," Adams & Reese Global Trade, Transportation and Logistics Client Alert, July 2022
- "The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance: Unfair and Deceptive Advertising in Children’s Apps," 66 Loy. L. Rev. 211 (2020)
- "Epic Systems Corp. v Lewis: American Employees Suffer an Epic Loss in the Ongoing Arbitration Conflict," 65 Loy. L. Rev. 453 (2019)
Education
- Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, J.D. cum laude | 2020
- University of New Orleans, B.F.A. Film and Digital Media cum laude | 2015
Bar Admissions
- Louisiana