Department profile
Immigration
USA Guide 2026 : Illinois
Rankings
Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
About
Provided by Barnes & Thornburg LLP
One of the consequences of the globalization of world economies is the globalization of human resources. Barnes & Thornburg LLP's Immigration and Global Mobility Services practice group complements our international and labor and employment practices and serves the needs of both corporate and individual clients by advising them on compliance with current immigration laws, U.S. Department of Labor regulations governing the employment of foreign nationals in the United States, and the movement of international personnel under USMCA.
Individual clients who seek counsel from the firm's immigration services include, among others, multinational managers, professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, university faculty and research staff, medical professionals, foreign spouses of U.S. citizens, entertainers, and athletes. Barnes & Thornburg's Immigration and Global Mobility Services practice group can provide prompt and cost-effective immigration services to match your company or individual needs.
Employment-Based Immigration
Our immigration professionals provide assistance with all aspects of temporary and permanent employment-based immigration. This includes H, L, E, and TN visas, labor certification, outstanding researcher, extraordinary ability, and university faculty petitions. We advise our corporate clients regarding Form I-9 compliance and audits, as well as Social Security -no match- letters.
Chambers Review
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Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
Barnes & Thornburg represented Interapp North America in an application sponsoring a Spanish executive for an L-1 visa in 2025.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Barnes & Thornburg sets itself apart through a combination of legal expertise and knowledge, client-focused service and unwavering professional integrity.
Immigration respondentUSAThe team at Barnes & Thornburg is so personable, responsive and engaged that they feel like seamless members of my own team. They are very experienced, agile and communicative.
Immigration respondentUSABarnes & Thornburg is unbelievably responsive, with clear and concise communication. They take a subject and make it understandable, digestible and easy to translate back to the organization.
Immigration respondentUSABarnes & Thornburg consistently delivers timely support and solutions, often anticipating needs before they arise. The team shows a strong grasp of our business priorities.
Immigration respondentUSABarnes & Thornburg provides clear and practical guidance on challenging cases and navigates complex regulatory requirements with confidence and precision.
Immigration respondentUSA
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Band 1 
Band 1 Tejas Shah
Tejas Shah has a wealth of experience in guiding corporate clients through US immigration issues. He advises employers in a wide range of industries, including higher education, financial services and healthcare. Tejas Shah is great to work with and has extensive knowledge of matters.
Immigration respondentUSATejas is patient and understands the challenges of HR’s support of the business and employees. He is flexible, knowledgeable and reasonable.
Immigration respondentUSA
Band 2 
Band 2 Mercedes Badia-Tavas
Mercedes Badia-Tavas is a highly experienced immigration attorney with strength in the full gamut of visa filings. It is Mercedes’ care and commitment above all that make her stand out. She is deeply trustworthy and trusted.
Immigration respondentUSAMercedes Badia-Tavas provides exceptional service. She is kind and patient as she works through our concerns and questions.
Immigration respondentUSAMercedes Badia-Tavas is very knowledgeable about immigration law. She communicates clearly, ensuring complex issues are explained in a way that is easy to understand.
Immigration respondentUSA
Band 3 Band 3 Michael Durham
Michael Durham is a partner at Barnes & Thornburg. He represents businesses, employers and individuals with a range of immigration-related needs and services.
Michael Durham consistently delivers outstanding service. His understanding of our business, combined with his ability to quickly execute on requests, makes him an invaluable, highly effective partner.
Immigration respondentUSAMichael Durham frequently goes above and beyond. He is a joy to work with.
Immigration respondentUSAMichael is very responsive, proactive, clear and concise.
Immigration respondentUSA
Ranked Individuals at Barnes & Thornburg LLP (3)
Illinois
Tejas Shah
Immigration
View profile Mercedes Badia-Tavas
Immigration
View profile 
Michael Durham
Immigration
View profile
Members
Provided by Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Tejas Shah
View profile of Tejas ShahMichael Durham
View profile of Michael DurhamMercedes Badia-Tavas
View profile of Mercedes Badia-Tavas
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