Paul Philippe Bertoni

Paul Philippe Bertoni (also known as “Jean-Paul” or “JP”) brings over two decades of high-level legal expertise to the field of U.S. Immigration. As a graduate of Yale University and UC Berkeley-Boalt Hall School of Law, Paul combines academic rigor with a deeply personal understanding of the immigrant experience. Paul provides sophisticated counsel at the intersection of business and global mobility. He serves as a trusted advisor to emerging growth companies, multinational corporations, scholars, and high-achieving professionals:

• Corporate Restructuring: Conducting immigration due diligence for M&As; executing "successor-in-interest" strategies; and stabilizing workforces during company reorganizations.
• Strategic Talent Acquisition: Securing specialized visas (H-1B, H1-B1, E-1/2/3, L-1, TN, O-1, R-1) and streamlining PERM Labor Certifications
• Merit-Based Permanent Residency Solutions: Crafting winning petitions for individuals of Extraordinary Ability (EB-1) and National Interest Waivers (EB-2 NIW).
• Compliance & Risk Management: Preparing teams for FDNS site visits and government audits. Advising on 2026 wage-based H-1B selection strategies.
• High-Stakes Defense: Authoring evidence-backed rebuttals to RFEs and NOIDs; challenging governmental errors; and bridging evidentiary gaps to secure approvals.
• Proactive Regulatory Updates: Providing real-time guidance on shifting federal policies, including new H-1B fee structures and remote/hybrid work documentation.
• Student & Scholar Advocacy: Resolving maintenance of status and grace period concerns, 212e waivers, and employment authorization questions
• Naturalization & Derivative Citizenship: Navigating complex eligibility hurdles, including "good moral character" reviews, prior criminal history, travel history gaps, and derivative citizenship claims.

Born and raised in New York City to Haitian immigrant physicians, Paul’s passion for immigration law is rooted in his own heritage and growing up in a very multicultural setting. Having traveled throughout Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Canada, he brings a unique cultural fluency to his work. He provides full legal representation in English, French, and Spanish, ensuring that his clients feel heard and understood in their native languages.

Paul is a recognized voice in the immigration community and a frequent speaker for organizations such as the French American Chamber of Commerce, BusinessFrance, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).

• J.D., UC Berkeley-Boalt Hall School of Law (Editor, Ecology Law Quarterly)
• B.A., Political Science, Yale University
• Admissions: New York and New Jersey (Authorized to practice Immigration Law nationwide)
• Affiliations: Member of American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the French American Chambers of Commerce of California, Pacific Northwest and New York.
• Speaking Engagements: Over the past two decades, Paul has delivered numerous educational seminars for leading professional and community organizations, including: AILA, the FACCSF, the French Tech Hub, BusinessFrance, INSEEC, The American Association of University Women, California State University OLLI, and the California CPA Association