Zoe Guy
Pittsburgh,PA
Summary
Flexible hard worker ready to learn and contribute to team success. Enthusiastic and project-oriented professional with over 30 years of experience in immigration law and the practical matters that come with it. Demonstrated attention to detail and adherence to confidentiality and ethical requirements. Proficiency in managing large caseloads and capacity to meet deadlines. Collects, organizes, analyzes and disseminates significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy. Exercises independent judgment within broadly defined practices and policies. Experience managing heavy caseloads and achieving strategic goals. Displays strong communication skills when interacting with non-native English speakers. Collaborative team player comfortable working independently and accepting high degree of unsupervised responsibility. Recognized for quickly mastering new challenges and working well under pressure.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Paralegal
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
06.2022 - Current
- Creating foundation for new International Nurse Recruitment Program including forms, charts, spreadsheets, best practices and organization to support new initiative to sponsor international nurses for permanent employment; Works closely with Senior Associate Counsel in all aspects of Schedule A Nurse immigration including the filing of I-140 petitions with USCIS, prevailing wages with USDOL, and DS-260 applications with NVC; Monitor and respond to all concerns from UPMC staff and international nurses in regard to regulations, the intricacies of process, timing, and expectations; Ensure institutional compliance with USCIS, DHS, and DOS laws and regulations as it relates to sponsoring foreign nurses for permanent residency; Remains up to date on current issues and trends affecting employment-based immigration; Keeps current and identifies issues related to internal processes to ensure efficiency and compliance with USCIS, DHS, and DOS regulations.
Paralegal
Tedrow and Myers, LLC
09.2021 - 05.2022
- Filed DACA, Adjustment of Status, Alien Relative, Naturalization, H-1B, PERM, L-1, EB1, EB2 and EB3 petitions; Drafted comprehensive and case specific support letters, engagement agreements, cover letters, and attestations; Communicated with the National Visa Center (NVC) to pay fee bills, respond to requests for additional documentation, and add family members to pending applications; Acted as resource and first line of contact for clientele; Conducted legal research.
Associate Director, International Employment Services
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
01.2020 - 09.2021
- Met with employee beneficiaries as needed to discuss amendments or extensions of employment; Drafted and reviewed support letters for H-1B and permanent residency petitions, including Request for Evidence (RFE) responses; Managed and evaluated International Employee Services staff; Remained up to date on current issues and trends affecting employment-based immigration; Drafted and revised flyers, forms, e-newsletter content and web content; Communicated with international employees and UAB partners to answer questions regarding extension needs, travel issues, arrival at UAB and orientation; Helped compile data and reports for leadership use at UAB campus partner meetings, and/or state and regional international educator conferences, as needed.
Assistant Director, International Faculty Advising
The Pennsylvania State University
08.2015 - 12.2019
- Supervised a staff of seven professionals including six immigration advisers and one administrative assistant; Kept current with, identified issues and proposed changes to internal processes to ensure University compliance with Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, and Department of Labor regulations; Trained and directed staff on all employment-based immigration processes both one-on-one and group sessions; Communicated daily with all stakeholders including Associate Vice Provost, Deans, Department Heads, Faculty, Administrators, Students, and Scholars on all matters related to complex immigration regulations, personal concerns and institutional policy; Managed an assigned case load consisting of both non-immigrant and immigrant processes, PERM Special Handling, Outstanding Professor Researcher, O-1, E-3, TN, and H-1B filings utilizing Sunapsis software; Developed, implemented, and evaluated services, workshops, and programming for international faculty and administrators including two web-based training modules; Managed all non-routine and emergency cases; Served on various University committees; Participated in staff exchanges with the Universities of Freiburg, Germany and Minnesota.
Paralegal
K & L Gates, LLP
01.2014 - 07.2015
- Processed H-1B, TN, L, PERM, EB1, I-140, I-485, consular, and family-based petitions and applications; Drafted substantive text to inform clients of both universal and specific immigration processing and options available to them; Prepared persuasive summary letters to US Government officials in accordance with individual petition requirements; Wrote detailed job descriptions and resumes to be in conformity with PERM requirements; place advertisements and recruit for PERM; organize and maintain applicable charts and summaries for PERM; Created checklists and templates for office-wide use in both common and complex immigration matters; Designed skills handbook for use with Cerenade eImmigration in the support of accuracy and consistency.
Senior International Student and Scholar Adviser
Duke University, Medical Center & Health System
05.2005 - 12.2013
- Served as senior adviser to administrators, faculty, staff, physicians, and students to strategize employment, personal, academic, and other non-routine, sensitive, confidential, and complex matters; Managed an independent case load, monitored employment expiration dates, and filed timely extension applications; Processed employment (H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, OPT, CPT, Green Card), student (DSO for F-1), and exchange visitor applications (ARO for J-1) using a proprietary database/case management application; Utilized SEVIS and ICERT to oversee and process applications for initial entry and to maintain lawful immigration status; Developed and presented orientation sessions, including population specific educational resources and training packages for both individuals and large groups; Worked as a member of a team to complete I-9 forms in the TALX program, including follow up to Tentative Non-Confirmation Notices and other E-verify requirements; Reviewed colleague petition filings for accuracy; Provided high quality customer service to distinguished and challenging clientele.
Legal Assistant
Deasy and Whitehill, LLP
04.2003 - 11.2004
- Conducted client specific research and drafted extended text for Outstanding Researcher Professor, National Interest Waiver, and Interested Government Agency based waiver applications; Managed time sensitive H-1B and Labor Certification filings; Maintained accurate confidential paper and electronic files; Contributed to various office publications, including an office brochure and year-end prospectus.
Adviser to Students and Scholars
University of Pittsburgh
10.1993 - 01.2002
- Processed all temporary and permanent employment based petitions, including H-1B, TN, O-1, I-140 (Outstanding Researcher/Professor), and Labor Certification Applications; Cooperated in a team environment to identify client need and to provide comprehensive customer service support; Prepared an in-house handbook, including instructional forms and questionnaires;
Education
MFA Writing -
University of Pittsburgh
BA Japanese Studies -
The University of Washington
Certificate Japanese Language/Culture -
Shimane Diagaku
Skills
- Wrote all content and supervised formatting for a web-based instructional guide for Penn State administrative leaders about hiring international faculty: https://trainingglobalpsuedu/hif-guidelines/
- Presented on numerous topics (visa processes, current practice, best practice, I-9 completion, etc) for various stakeholders
- Served on numerous committees
- Maintained membership in the Association of International Educators (NAFSA)
- Miscellaneous: Completed Penn State's 80-hour Supervisor Series, Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook, Excellent understanding of a variety of software applications and web-based systems such as Lawlogic, Sunapsis, the SEVIS System, DOL FLAG Portal, among others, Extensive research experience of legal issues related to immigration matters, Staff exchanges with the Universities of Minnesota, USA and Freiburg, Germany, Leadership and mentoring experience, International travel to Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Canada, and Japan, Eighteen-month study abroad experience at Shimane University in Japan, Eternal Japanese language student
- Bankruptcy Law
- Litigation Support
- Civil Law
- Court Transcription
- Database Research
- Corporate Law
- Power of Attorney
- Expertise in Legal Proceedings
- Marital Settlement Agreements
- Tax Law
- Contract Review
- Account Administration
- Expert in Bankruptcies
- Records Management
- Interviewing Witnesses
- Civil Litigation
- Subpoena Coordination
- Negotiation
- [State] Paralegal Association
- Criminal Law
- Paralegal Association of [State]
- Administrative Support
- Document Control Support
Timeline
Paralegal
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
06.2022 - Current
Paralegal
Tedrow and Myers, LLC
09.2021 - 05.2022
Associate Director, International Employment Services
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
01.2020 - 09.2021
Assistant Director, International Faculty Advising
The Pennsylvania State University
08.2015 - 12.2019
Paralegal
K & L Gates, LLP
01.2014 - 07.2015
Senior International Student and Scholar Adviser
Duke University, Medical Center & Health System
05.2005 - 12.2013
Legal Assistant
Deasy and Whitehill, LLP
04.2003 - 11.2004
Adviser to Students and Scholars
University of Pittsburgh
10.1993 - 01.2002
MFA Writing -
University of Pittsburgh
BA Japanese Studies -
The University of Washington
Certificate Japanese Language/Culture -
Shimane Diagaku
Similar Profiles
Luis Alfredo Velez RenteriaLuis Alfredo Velez Renteria
Health Science Research Fellow at University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, UPMCHealth Science Research Fellow at University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, UPMC
Ryan TuckerRyan Tucker
Patient Care Technician at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian HospitalPatient Care Technician at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian Hospital
SWATHI PADMANABHANSWATHI PADMANABHAN
Research Assistant at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Childrens HospitalResearch Assistant at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Childrens Hospital
Ian GibbonsIan Gibbons
Patient Care Technician - Operating Room at University of Pittsburgh Medical CenterPatient Care Technician - Operating Room at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Catazja HendersonCatazja Henderson
Patient Care Technician at Allegheny General HospitalPatient Care Technician at Allegheny General Hospital