Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Manju Kulasekaran

Princeton Jct,NJ

Summary

Seasoned Senior Immigration Paralegal and HR Specialist with extensive experience in managing immigration (USA/Europe/Canada/India) and non-immigration cases, successful coordination with attorneys, business clients, employees and government agencies. Comprehensive knowledge of immigration process, excellent communication skills, being a trusted advisor and ability to thrive in a high-volume, high-intensity environment. Focused on maximizing office efficiency and enhancing Immigration law work through top-notch legal assistance. Excellent organizer, administrator and prioritized with relevant credentials and motivation to make positive impact on all areas of firm work. Achievements include training two new paralegal staff to expand operations and improve efficiency. Hardworking, knowledgeable and goal-oriented with demonstrated record of success in leadership positions. Experienced legal support professional with exceptional leadership, problem-solving and planning abilities. Driven Paralegal successful at thriving in high stress, high-pressure environments and situations involving constant change and vast ambiguity in data and instruction. Paralegal motivated to continually improve and extend personal skills and knowledge to attain increased responsibility and opportunities for professional growth. Talented Manager with expert team leadership, planning and organizational skills built during successful career. Smoothly equip employees to independently handle daily functions and meet customer needs. Diligent trainer and mentor with exceptional management abilities and results-driven approach. Insightful Manager with experience directing and improving operations through effective employee motivational strategies and strong policy enforcement. Proficient in best practices, market trends and regulatory requirements of industry operations. Talented leader with analytical approach to business planning and day-to-day problem-solving. Focused professional knowledgeable about devising innovative solutions to diverse business concerns and goals. Strategic and forward-thinking leader with self-motivated and tactical mindset. Excellent relationship-building and critical thinking skills with determined and decisive nature.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience

Work History

Sr. Paralegal, HR & Immigration Specialist

Fisker Group Inc.
11.2021 - Current
  • Proficient in collaborating with both internal parties and external legal teams to prepare and file a diverse range of immigration documents, including visas (H-1B, L1, O1, E3), green cards (EB1, EB2, EB3), and naturalization applications
  • Assisted the external legal team in addressing inquiries from the Department of Labor (DOL), U.S
  • Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the National Visa Center (NVC) on various visa matters
  • Acted as a liaison between government agencies like USCIS and company employees to facilitate visa processes and requirements
  • Managed a range of immigration applications including permanent residency and citizenship filings
  • Expedited U.S
  • Passport renewals for employees with urgent business travel needs
  • Specialized in resolving a wide array of immigration concerns, including travel documentation, visa extensions, recruitment processes, and blanket petitions
  • Educated the HR and onboarding teams about immigration regulations and best practices, providing tailored guidance for specific case scenarios, particularly during site visits
  • Played a key role in formulating and implementing policy protocols specific to Green card processing, H-1B, and other nonimmigrant visa categories, as well as crafting related employee agreements
  • Handled European work permits, including blue cards, RWR cards, ICTs for countries like Germany and Austria, and facilitated various business visas for Canada and Schengen Area
  • Coordinated with European Embassies and VFS Global to secure timely work permits and visas for employee travel
  • Supported the HR and onboarding teams with Workday integration and I-9 reverification processes for visa-dependent employees
  • Assisted employees with obtaining Indian business visas for imminent business travel needs
  • Played a crucial role in compiling an annual list of H-1B CAP candidates for the lottery system and managed the approval process for associated costs.

Immigration Manager

Baanyan Software Services Inc.
06.2018 - 10.2021
  • Ensured Compliance: Diligently maintained adherence to all relevant rules and regulations associated with immigration procedures
  • Case Management: Efficiently handled immigration caseloads from initial intake through processing, filing, and final resolution
  • Visa Petition Processing: Assisted in the preparation and filing of both non-immigrant and immigrant visa petitions, ensuring smooth progression for employees
  • Petition Packet Organization: Compiled and organized petition packets for thorough review and subsequent filing
  • Regularly updated employees on the status of their immigration cases, maintaining transparent communication
  • Document Management: Managed both hard and electronic copies of essential documents such as Public Access Files and I-9/onboarding documents for audit readiness
  • Timely Responses and Adherence to Deadlines: Addressed immigration inquiries promptly and ensured all submissions met their respective deadlines
  • Liaison with USCIS: Acted as the primary contact for case updates or resolving issues with pending cases, coordinating directly with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Sr. Legal & Immigration Specialist

Tanisha Systems Inc.
09.2017 - 05.2018
  • Oversaw and processed H-1B visa applications, including guiding employees through the H-1B Lottery system and providing essential information
  • Accountable for managing the complete immigration lifecycle for employees from initiation to completion
  • Instructed employees on consulate procedures and requirements for successful appearances at Embassies/Consulates
  • Assisted employees in gathering the necessary documentation appropriate for their specific visa categories
  • Maintained an immigration application database with tracking numbers and ensured Public Access files were consistently updated
  • Directed visa processing operations, pinpointing areas for enhancement and implementing changes to significantly elevate customer satisfaction
  • Liaised with legal counsels and external vendors regarding immigration matters and challenges
  • Demonstrated expertise in orchestrating multiple team efforts on concurrent projects, excelling in multitasking and problem-solving
  • Conducted reviews of PERM Labor Certifications and PERM Audit responses, coordinating closely with legal representation
  • Ensured compliance with I-9 documentation and oversaw related audits
  • Executed E-verification and updated the ADP system for newly onboarded employees
  • Facilitated the provision of Commercial General Liability and Workers' Compensation Insurance Certificates to clients.

Immigration Specialist

AmeriSoftPro Systems LLC
09.2013 - 08.2017
  • Facilitated the compilation of necessary documentation for various visa categories, ensuring employees were adequately prepared
  • Maintained a detailed immigration application database, ensuring all applications were tracked and Public Access files remained current
  • Collaborated with legal counsel to review PERM Labor Certifications and respond to PERM Audit notices, ensuring compliance and accuracy
  • Conducted thorough I-9 compliance checks and managed audit processes to uphold employment eligibility verification standards
  • Implemented E-Verification procedures for new hires and maintained accurate employment records in the ADP system
  • Analyzed contracts for compliance with legal and financial standards, recommending amendments to the accounts department for optimal alignment.

Immigration Specialist

E-Business International
03.2009 - 08.2013
  • Oversaw PERM Labor Certification processes and responded to PERM Audit notices in collaboration with legal counsel
  • Managed the preparation and submission of I-485 Adjustment of Status Applications and I-140 Petitions for EB-2 and EB-3 workers
  • Supported attorney teams with the preparation of H-1B non-immigrant visas, including document collection for Response to Evidence (RFEs), streamlining the visa approval process.

Paralegal Executive

Law Offices of Kamlesh Tewary
02.2007 - 05.2008
  • Preparation of H-1B non-immigrant visas, Form I-129 preparation and review
  • PERM Labor Certifications and PERM Audits I-485 Adjustment of Status Applications Backlog Labor Certification Issues and Procedures, prevailing wage compliance issues I-140 Petitions for EB-2 and EB-3 workers

Education

Paralegal Studies and Certification - Paralegal Studies

Middlesex County College
Edison, New Jersey
01.2007

Master of Commerce (Accountancy) Degree. - Accounting And Business Management

Anna Adarsh College For Women, University of Madras, India
India
04.2000

Bachelor of Commerce (Accountancy) Degree. - Accounting And Business Management

St. Ann’s College For Women, Osmania University, India
India
04.1998

Skills

  • Expertise in H-1B immigrant petitions, showcasing comprehensive experience and knowledge
  • Proficient in overseeing PERM recruitment processes and adept at addressing complex immigration-related inquiries
  • Demonstrated skill in tracking visa bulletins and maintaining proactive communication with USCIS
  • Contributed to bi-weekly client conference calls, collaborating effectively with attorneys to provide updates and strategies
  • Expertise in Requests for Evidence (RFEs), and other critical correspondence for H-1B Petitions within corporate and client contexts
  • Achieved success in the timely coordination and submission of H-1B cases for the annual CAP season, ensuring compliance and accuracy
  • Managed case oversight duties, including coordinating attorney schedules, tracking critical deadlines, and maintaining current case statuses and reports
  • Direct engagement with clients to collect necessary documentation for RFEs and advise on travel and consulate stamping procedures, enhancing client satisfaction and outcomes
  • Gained extensive expertise in processing work permits for countries such as Austria, Germany, the UK, and securing business visas for European countries, Canada, and India
  • Played a key role in conducting I-9 and Public Access Folder audits, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements
  • Implemented and managed payroll processes utilizing the Conrep ATS/CRM system, integrated with ADP for streamlined operations
  • Fluent in English, Tamil, Hindi, and Telugu, offering valuable linguistic skills for diverse client interactions

Languages

Hindi
Full Professional
Tamil
Full Professional
Telugu
Professional Working

Timeline

Sr. Paralegal, HR & Immigration Specialist

Fisker Group Inc.
11.2021 - Current

Immigration Manager

Baanyan Software Services Inc.
06.2018 - 10.2021

Sr. Legal & Immigration Specialist

Tanisha Systems Inc.
09.2017 - 05.2018

Immigration Specialist

AmeriSoftPro Systems LLC
09.2013 - 08.2017

Immigration Specialist

E-Business International
03.2009 - 08.2013

Paralegal Executive

Law Offices of Kamlesh Tewary
02.2007 - 05.2008

Paralegal Studies and Certification - Paralegal Studies

Middlesex County College

Master of Commerce (Accountancy) Degree. - Accounting And Business Management

Anna Adarsh College For Women, University of Madras, India

Bachelor of Commerce (Accountancy) Degree. - Accounting And Business Management

St. Ann’s College For Women, Osmania University, India
Manju Kulasekaran