Neil S. Dornbaum

Neil Dornbaum is among the most active and distinguished immigration attorneys in New Jersey. Prior to joining the firm, Neil was a partner at Dornbaum & Peregoy, where he dedicated his practice for over 30 years to immigration and nationality matters, with a special emphasis on employment-based immigration.

He has served as National Chair of the American Bar Association's (ABA) Immigration Committee under the General Practice Section and was appointed to the ABA's Commission on Immigration. He has also chaired the NJSBA's Immigration Section and the American Immigration Lawyers' Association (New Jersey Chapter) and served on their Board of Governors. In addition, Neil has acted as a liaison to numerous governmental agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS); Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE); Customs and Border Protection (CBP); Department of Labor (DOL); and Department of State (DOS). He currently serves as a member of AILA's Annual Conference Planning Committee and has recently served on the Department of Labor Liaison Committee and the Field Operations Liaison Committee. Neil is the former Co-chair of the Senior Lawyers division of the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) and served on the editorial board for New Jersey Lawyer.

Neil writes and lectures nationally on various aspects of immigration law practice for bar associations, religious and business groups, and human resource organizations. He has served on the editorial board of several publications and has edited over 40 course books on immigration and nationality matters, and chaired over 50 immigration conferences.

Professional and Community Affiliations

• American Immigration Lawyers Association
  • Member, Annual Conference Planning Committee (2022-2023)
  • Member, Department of Labor Liaison Committee (2021-2022)
  • Chair, NJ Chapter CLE Committee (2015-2022)
  • Member, Field Operations Liaison Committee (2019-2021)
  • Observer, National Employment and Verification Committee (2019-2021)
  • Member, Employment Verification Committee (2015-2016)
  • Member, Business Immigration Committee (2010-2013)
  • Member, Essential Workers Committee (2007-2008)
  • Member, Teleconference Committee (2006-2007)
  • Special Liaison, ABA Commission on Immigration, Policy, Practice and Pro Bono (2002-2006)
  • Member, Business Immigration Committee (2005-2006)
  • Member, AILA Governance Task Force (2001-2003)
  • Chair, Business Immigration Committee – Non-Immigrant Visas (2000-2001)
  • Member, INS Reorganization Committee (1999-2000)
  • Chair, Vermont Service Center Liaison (1998-1999)
  • Chair, Advocacy 2000, Bar Associations Committee (1997-1998)
  • Vice Chair, INS Headquarters Liaison (1996-1997)
  • Vice-Chair, Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals Liaison (1994-1995)
  • Co-Chair, Vermont Service Center Liaison (1993-1994)
  • Chair, Mentor Committee (1992-1993)
  • Chair, Business, Industry and Labor Committee, Section on Public Policy (1988-1990)
  • Co-Chair, Bureau of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs/I&NS Central Office Refugee and Parole Liaison Committee (1987-1988)
• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), New Jersey Chapter
  • Chair, NJ Chapter CLE Committee (2015-2022)
  • Chair (1991-1993; 1995-1996)
  • Vice-Chair (1990-1991); Secretary (1988-1990)
  • Chair, American Immigration Law Foundation Liaison (2005- 2006)
  • Chair, Region II Department of Labor Liaison (1991-2003)
  • Chair, District Office Liaison (1991-1993), (1995-1999)
  • Chair, Vermont Service Center Liaison (1991-1999)
• American Bar Association
  • Advisory Committee, ABA Commission on Immigration (2009-2013)
  • Commissioner, ABA Commission on Immigration (2006-2009)
  • Special Liaison, ABA Commission on Immigration, Policy, Practice and Pro Bono (2002-2006)
  • Chair, Immigration Law Committee of the General Practice Section (1996-1999) (2006- present)
  • Vice Chair (1985-1996)
  • Member, Coordinating Committee on Immigration Law (1996-1999)
• New Jersey State Bar Association
  • Member, Higher Education Committee (2022-2023)
  • Member, International Law and Organizations Committee (2022-2023)
  • Editorial Board, New Jersey Lawyer (2018-2021)
  • Member, Senior Lawyers Committee (2022-2023)
    • Co-Chair (2018-2020)
    • Vice Chair (2016-2020)
  • Chair, Immigration, Naturalization and Americanism Section (2000-2003)
  • Vice Chair (1995-1999)
  • Secretary (1994-1995)

Presentations 

• Co-presenter, "Diversity in Engineering: Navigating Immigration and Industry," Diversity Dialogue Newark College of Engineering and School of Computing, New Jersey Institute of Technology, (November 2023)

• Co-presenter, "What Employers Should Know About the Updated Form I-9," (NJBIA) (October 2023)
• Co-presenter, ”Ever-Changing Employment Terms and the Impact on Hiring Foreign National Employees," New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) (December 2022)
• Presenter, “Hot Topics in Immigration Law,” New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) (May 2022)
• Speaker, Immigrant Rights Collective at Rutgers Law School-Newark (RUIRC), (Feb 2022)
• Speaker, "When to File an Amendment on Employment-Based Nonimmigrant Petitions," American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), (Feb 2022)
• Speaker, "Business for Breakfast Webinar: 2022 Employment Law Update and To-Do Checklist," (Jan 2022)
• Program Chair, Annual Immigration Conference, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (NJICLE) (2001-present)
• Program Chair, Advanced Immigration Issues for Attorneys, In-House Counsel and Human Resource Personnel, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (NJICLE) (2000-present)
• Speaker, "Overcoming Recruiting Challenges in the Post COVID-19 World," New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), webinar (December 2021)
• Speaker, "What I Wish I Knew or that Someone Had Told Me!" New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (NJICLE) webinar (November 2021)
• Speaker, "Global Talent Migration to the United States," Annual Conference and Expo Virtual Experience, GSC-SHRM (October 2021)
• Panelist, "Strategies for Reforming American Immigration Policy," co-hosted by the New Jersey Business Immigration Coalition, New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) and Einstein's Alley (April 2021)
• Panelist, "Back to the Future: Unravelling Four Years of Immigration Policy Changes and Laws," Philadelphia Bar Association webinar (February 2021)
• Speaker, "2021 Business Immigration Update: The New Hiring Climate Under the Biden Administration," NJBIA Human Resource Council Meeting (February 2021)
• Panelist, "Business for Breakfast Program: 2021 Employment Law Update and To-Do Checklist," Connell Foley LLP; Roseland, NJ (January 2021)
• Program Chair, Advanced Immigration Issues for Attorneys, In-House Counsel and Human Resource Personnel, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (NJICLE) (2000-2019)
• Speaker, "The Employers Dilemma, Compliance Challenges," U.S. Immigration Law New York State Bar Association (May 2019)
• Speaker, "Buy American, Hire American," 2018 Changes to Immigration Policy Sussex-Warren Human Resource Management Association (June 2018)
• Speaker, "Complex Issues in NIV Cases, Covering L-1B, H-1B STEM, AC21, & Consular Interview Related Issues," Philadelphia Chapter AILA CLE; Philadelphia, PA (March 2013)
• Speaker, "Substance and Forms – Nonimmigrant Application Basics," Immigration Law Update 2012: Basics & Beyond, NYSBACLE; New York, NY
• Faculty Member, Annual Conference American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) (1992-2012)
• "Please Make the Music Stop! Anticipating, Avoiding and Attacking NIV RFEs," Nashville, TN (June 2012)
• "Ability to Pay Issues," National Harbor, Washington DC (June 2010)
• "The Casino with L-1’s and Other Gamblers," Las Vegas, NV (June 2009)
• "LCA Requirements as Clarified by Wage and Hour Division," Orlando, FL (June 2007)
• "LCA Compliance: 21^st Century Techniques," San Antonio, TX (June 2006)
• "I-140/ I-485’s and Consular Processing Strategies," Salt Lake City, UT (June 2005)
• "Myths and Realities of H-1B’s," Philadelphia, PA (June 2004)
• "Managing Managers: Identifying and Advising Executives and Managers," New Orleans, LA (June 2003)
• "Avoiding Labor Certification; Is That Ever Possible," San Francisco, CA (June 2002)
• "ACWIA H-1B Regulations: Three Years Later; Discussing Worker Movement Requirements for H-1B Employees," Boston, MA (June 2001)

• Speaker, "Redefining Borders: Comprehensive Immigration Reform In The United States," Rutgers Law School; Newark, NJ (March 2011)
• Speaker, DOL Investigations & Sanctions, "Weathering The Immigration Storm: Strategies for Successful Representation of Individuals and Corporations," Philadelphia Chapter AILA CLE, Philadelphia, PA (March 2011)
• Speaker, "The Interplay between Immigration and Employment," SHRM; Long Branch, NJ (November 2010)
• Speaker, "Employment Based Immigration," Rutgers Law School; Newark, NJ (September 2010)
• Speaker, "Immigration Issues for Human Resource Representatives," SHRM (October 2009)
• Speaker, "Immigrant Business Visas Overview," New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (NJCLE); Newark, NJ (June 2009)
• Speaker, "New Immigration Compliance Concerns for Employers and Strategies for E-verify Use," ABA Commission for Immigration, National Television (February 2009)
• Speaker, "How to Conduct an Internal/ External I-9 Audit," NJCLE; Newark, NJ (November 2008)
• Speaker, "Dealing with Immigration Issues that Impact Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention of Foreign Workers," SHRM; Long Branch, NJ (November 2008)
• Speaker, Perm 101 CLE Panel, New York Chapter AILA; New York, NY (April 2008)
• Speaker, "The New Era of Worksite Enforcement: Representing the Endangered Employer," NYSBA; New York, NY (February 2008)
• Speaker, "Critical Updates for Immigration Law Practitioners," NBI (January 2008)
• Speaker, "Critical Updates for Human Resource Representatives," SHRM; Essex County, NJ (January 2008)
• Discussion Leader, "Effective LCA Compliance Practices," AILA Nationwide Web Teleconference (October 2007)
• Program Co-Chair, "The Dos and Don’ts of Representing Immigrant Clients: How to Be Effective and Avoid Pitfalls," Joint Judicial Division and ABA Commission on Immigration Continuing Legal Education Program; San Francisco, CA (August 2007)
• Speaker, "LCA Audits; Good Faith and Good Luck," AILA Annual Conference; Orlando, FL (June 2007)
• Speaker, Immigration Law 2007: Overview and Update, NJICLE; New York, NY (July 2007)
• Speaker, "Retaining Foreign Workers- Immigrant Visas Sterling Education Services Inc.” (May 2007)
• Discussion Leader, "The ETA-9089; Evolving Strategies," AILA Nationwide Web Teleconference (March 2007)
• Speaker, "Employment Related Immigration & Work Authorization," National Business Institute (January 2007)
• Speaker, "Situational Changes that Impact Corporate Obligations," National Business Institute; Newark, NJ (October 2006)
• Speaker, "Legislative Update," Federal Bar Program Annual Conference; Newark, NJ (May 2006)
• Speaker, "Special Considerations, Problem Issues, Tactical Considerations for Processing Labor Certifications," AILA New York Chapter; New York, NY (May 2006)
• Speaker, "Recent Developments at the Department of Labor," 25^th Annual Federal Bar Association; Newark, NJ (May 2005)
• Speaker, "Paralegals Role in the Labor Certification ETA/ I-140 Process," AILA Immigration Law for Paralegals and Law Office Staff; Washington, DC (March 2005)
• Speaker, "A Primer for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Preparing Documentation for Labor Certification," Federal Bar Program for Paralegals; Newark, NJ (March 2005)
• Speaker, "Labor Certification Review," AILA New York Chapter; New York, NY (May 2004)
• Speaker, "Immigrant Visas: Family-Based," AILA the Basics of Immigration Law Practice Conference; Washington, DC (October 2003)
• Program Co-Chair, "Employment Based Immigration: Exploring Hoffman Plastics and Its Aftermath," ABA Annual Meeting, Section of Labor and Employment Law: San Francisco, CA (August 2003)
• Speaker, "Immigration Law and Cultural Issues in Family Law Today," NJSBA Annual Meeting; Atlantic City, NJ (May 2003)
• Speaker, "Avoiding Pitfalls in Processing Labor Certifications and Business Visa Petitions before the Department of Labor and the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services," Federal Bar Association 22nd Annual Immigration Conference; Newark, NJ (May 2003)
• Speaker, "Update from the Department of Labor," NYICLE and AILA Meeting; New York, NY (February 2003)
• Speaker, "Immigration Law: Beyond the Basics," NJICLE; Newark, NJ (January 2003)
• Speaker, "Ask A Lawyer Program," Essex County Bar Association; Newark, NJ (October 2002)
• Speaker, "The Essentials of Immigration for Paralegals, Legal Assistants and Law Office Staff," AILA Spring Program; Washington, DC (March 2002)
• Speaker, "Facilitator Training Seminar to Assist September 11 Victims and Their Families," NJSBA; Newark, NJ (0ctober 2001)
• Speaker, "Update on Labor Certification Processing," Federal Bar Association 20th Annual Immigration Conference; Newark, NJ (May 2001)
• Speaker, "To H-1B or not to H-1B: A discussion of issues in hiring overseas talent," New Jersey Technology Council (May 2000)
• Speaker, "International Employee Transfers: Navigating the Immigration Maze," Insight Information Co.; Miami, FL (May 1999)
• Program Chair, "U.S./Canadian Border Issues: An Immigration Primer, ABA Annual Meeting," Toronto, CA (July 1998)
• Member, "The Creative Presentation of the National Interest Waiver," Annual Conference of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Seattle, WA (June 1998)
• Speaker, "Update on Labor Certification Practice," Federal Bar Association 17th Annual Immigration Conference; Newark, NJ (May 1998)
• Speaker, "Update on Labor Certification Practice," Federal Bar Association 17th Annual Immigration Conference; Newark, NJ (May 1998)
• Speaker, "Practicing Under IIRAIRA," AILA Fall Conference Series (November 1997)
• Program Chair, "Immigration Law Update: Critical Issues for Practice," ABA Annual Meeting; Newark, NJ (August 1997)
• Speaker, "Update on Labor Certification Practice," Federal Bar Association 16th Annual Immigration Conference; Newark, NJ (May 1997)
• Speaker, "Immigration for the Employer," NJICLE; Newark, NJ (1997)
• Speaker, "Immigration: A Primer for Non-Immigration Practitioners," NJICLE; New Brunswick, NJ (1996)
• Moderator, "Panel on Business Based Immigration: The Current Climate," ABA Annual Meeting, Section of Labor and Employment Law; Orlando, FL (August 1996)
• Speaker, "H-1B’s Immigration Law Seminar," NJICLE, New Brunswick, NJ (June 1996)
• Program Chair, "Prevailing Over Prevailing Wage Problems in Labor Condition and Labor Certification Applications," CLE New York/New Jersey AILA Conference (February 1996)
• Program Chair, "How to Represent Clients Before The Executive Office of Immigration Review," NJSBA; New Brunswick, NJ (November 1995)
• Speaker, AILA Fall Conference on H-1B Issues; Chicago, IL (1994)
• Speaker, International Business Transactions Seminar, NJICLE; New Brunswick, NJ (February 1990)
• Speaker, "Update of Employment Enforcement," Eighth Annual Perm 101 CLE Panel, New York Chapter AILA; New York, NY

Publications

• Quoted, "What Business Need to Know about Changes to H-1B Visas and More"
  New Jersey Business Today (February 2021)
• Editor, "Annual Immigration Conference Seminar Material," New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (NJICLE) (2001-)
• In-House Counsel and Human Resource Personnel 
  • Editor, "Advanced Immigration Issues for Attorneys" (2004-2019)
  • Editor, "New Systems: New Challenges for Immigration Attorneys," Seminar Materials, NJICLE (November 2003) 
  • Editor, "Corporate Immigration Law for Attorneys," Labor Certification & Alternative Strategies for Obtaining Permanent Residence for Critical Workers Seminar Material, NJICLE (November 2002)
  • Editor, "Corporate Immigration Law for Attorneys," H-1B Requirements Seminar Material, NJICLE (December 2001)
  • Editor and Author, "Corporate Immigration Law for Attorneys," Seminar Material, NJICLE (December 2000)
• Author, "Immigration Corporate Compliance – The I-9 Program," Current Issues in Immigration for the U.S. Employer, NYSBA (May 2010)
• Advisory Committee, "Reforming the Immigration System: Proposals to Promote Independence, Fairness, Efficiency, and Professionalism in the Adjudication of Removal Cases," American Bar Association Commission on Immigration (February 2010)
• U.S. Department of Labor, AILA Immigration and Nationality Law Handbook
  
  • Author, "It’s Always Darkest before the Dawn: Getting a Grip on Recent Challenges to L-1 Eligibility" (2009-2010)
  • Author, "LCA Requirements As Clarified By the Wage and Hour Division of the Employment Standards Administration" (2007-2008)
  • Author, "A Proactive Approach to DOL Audits – Bingo Revisited" (2006-2007)
  • Author, "Perm Overview; Seminar Material," NJICLE (2006)
  • Author, "Adjustment of Status vs. Consular Processing – Some Considerations When Electing to Process for Permanent Residence" (2005-2006)
  • Author, "Myths and Realities of H-1Bs" (2004-2005)
  • Author, "National Interest Waivers for the Chosen Few: Obtaining Approvals after the Decision in the Matter of New York State Department of Transportation" (1999-2000)
  • Author, "The Creative Presentation of the National Interest Waiver" (1998-1999) 
• Author, "Using the Initial Consultation and Questionnaire to Lay the Foundation and Spot Issues," The David Stanton Manual on Labor certification; Successful Strategies for Practice under PERM, American Immigration Lawyers Association (2008)
• Author, "Social Security No-Match Letters, The New Era of Worksite Enforcement: Representing the Endangered Employer," New York State Bar Association CLE (February 2008)
• Author, "Immigration Overview for Human Resource Personnel and In House Counsel," Critical Updates for Immigration Law Practitioners, National Business Institute (January 2008)
• Author, "Overview of Employment Based Immigration," Immigration and Employment, Legal Aspects of Hiring Foreign Nationals, National Business Institute (October 2006)
• Author, "Labor Certification for Permanent Employment of Foreign National Document Retention Folder," 2006 Immigration Law Update-Basics and Beyond, New York State Bar Association CLE (May 2006)
• Author, "Nonimmigrant Work Alternatives for Consideration," Human Resources Personnel and In House Counsel after the H-1Cap Seminar Material, NJICLE (November 2005)
• Author, "Filing the Application," The New Labor Certification Regulations, New York State Bar Association CLE (May 2005)
• Reviewer, "Naturalization and Criminal Offenses, Detention & Removal; A Legal Guide for Immigrants and Advocates," American Bar Association, Commission on Immigration (October 2004)
• Co-Editor and Author, "AILA’s INS Directory and Resource Guide, A Guide for the Immigration Practitioner," American Immigration Lawyers Association (1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002)
• Editor, ABA General Practice Solo and Small Firm Section, Immigration Law Committee Newsletter (1996 – 2000) 
• Editor, "U.S./Canadian Border Issues: An Immigration Primer," Seminar Material, ABA General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section, Annual Meeting Toronto, Canada (1998)
• NJICLE Course book 
  • Author, "Aliens of Extraordinary Ability or Achievement (O Non-immigrant Category)" (1997)
  • Author,  "Artists, Athletes, and Entertainers (P Nonimmigrant Category)" (1997) 
  • Author, "Treaty Traders and Investors, the E Category" (1997) 
• Author, "Update on Labor Certification Practice," Federal Bar Association 16th Annual Immigration Conference Course Book (1997)
• Co-Editor, "Eastern Region Directory of INS Offices: A Guide for the Immigration Practitioner," American Immigration Lawyers Association (1997, 1998)
• Author, "I-129 Supplement for International Cultural Exchange Non-immigrants (Q) and Supplement for Temporary Religious Workers (R)," American Immigration Lawyers Association, INS Forms (1992, 1993, 1995, 1999)
• Author, "Filing Procedures: Basic Requirements," American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference Course Books (1992, 1993, 1994) 
• Editor, AILA NJ Chapter Newsletter (1991-93, 95-96)

Chambers USA (2021-2024)

• Immigration - New Jersey 

Best Lawyers in America (1993-2025)

• Immigration Law
• "Lawyer of the Year" (2013)

Martindale-Hubbell - Preeminent Lawyers (1994-Present)

• The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers; Immigration law

Law Business Research, "Who’s Who Corporate Immigration" (1996 – present)

New Jersey Super Lawyers (2022, 2024)

• "Top Lawyers" – Immigration Law (Published in New Jersey Monthly Magazine)

_{Please see Honor and Award Methodology. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.}