Joel Pfeffer is a member of the Corporate & Business Law, International, and Immigration Law Practice Groups. Mr. Pfeffer works primarily in the areas of immigration, nationality, and corporate law.
- Extensive experience in handling immigration and naturalization matters on behalf of both foreign and U.S. based companies, as well as individuals.
- Obtained Labor Certification, Temporary Visas, and Permanent Resident Status for numerous foreign applicants.
- Estate Planning and Administration for U.S. and foreign nationals.
- Included in The Best Lawyers in America® for Immigration Law in 2023
- Named the Best Lawyers® 2016 and 2021 Immigration law “Lawyer of the Year” in Pittsburgh
- American Immigration Lawyers Association, Member
- Past Speaker at its National Conference
- AILA Pittsburgh Chapter, Past Chairman
- Allegheny County Bar Association, Member
- Pennsylvania Bar Associations, Member
- Community College of Allegheny County Educational Foundation, Former Board Member
- Hebrew Free Loan Association of Pittsburgh, Former Board Member
- Jewish Family and Children’s Services, Former Assistant Treasurer
- Former Member of Finance Committee
- Pennsylvania
- Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
- United States Tax Court
- J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 1985
- University of Pittsburgh Law Review, Staff Member
- M.R.T.S. (Master of Rabbinic & Talmudic Studies), Beth Medrash Govoha, 1980
- B.T.S. (Bachelor of Talmudic Studies), Beth Medrash Govoha, 1976
- Presenter, “Religious Workers, A Practical Guide,” Allegheny County Bar Association, February 13, 2023.
- Presenter on the subject on immigration, MUS webinar, November 8, 2021.
- “What will halting green cards mean for Pittsburgh’s tech companies?” Pittsburgh Business Times, April 22, 2020.
- “Joel Pfeffer: Now is not the time for Trump’s immigration order,” TribLive, April 28, 2020.
- “Immigration Client Alert: New H-1B Selection Process Begins March 1,” January 28, 2020.
- “’Public charge’ proposal could thwart hopes & dreams,” TribLive. November 6, 2019.
- “Joel Pfeffer: Immigration must shift to employment model,” TribLive. June 15, 2019.
- “’Public charge’ proposal could thwart hopes & dreams,” TribLive. November 6, 2019.
- “‘Public Charge’ Moves Towards More Restrictive Standard,” October 4, 2019.
- “Joel Pfeffer: Immigration must shift to employment model,” TribLive. June 15, 2019.
- Interviewed as a guest on PGHTech Fuse on May 24, 2019 to discuss the immigration topics impacting foreign workers within the technology industry and the path the citizenship for students and highly skilled professionals.
- Interviewed by NPR Pittsburgh Radio on March 18, 2019 discussing changes in lottery system for immigration selection and how it could impact the H-1B visa process.
- Presenter, American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, June 20, 2019.
- “H-1B Visa Applications Can be Filed on April 1,” February 6, 2019.
- “Administration Proposes New Rules to Test ‘Public Charge’,” December 20, 2018.
- Presenter, “Tax Exempt Status” American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, August 23, 2018.
- “H-1B Visa Applications Can Be Filed on April 2,” March 6, 2018.
- “Employing Foreign Nationals Through TN Visas,” October 23, 2017.
- “Revised I-9 Forms Must Be Used Starting 9/18/2017,” August 28, 2017.
- “E-3 Visas Exclusive to Australian Citizens,” August 3, 2017.
- “Work Options for Foreign Students,” July 5, 2017.
- “Supreme Court Reinstates Travel Ban: Here’s What Your Need to Know,” June 30, 2017.
- “Supreme Court travel ban could have ‘marginal effect’ on Pittsburgh,” Pittsburgh Business Times. June 29, 2017.
- Featured presenter during webinar on June 21, 2017 on the topic of: How the Trump Administration is Changing U.S. Immigration – A Six Month Look Back.
- “Companies Should Prepare for an Increase in I-9 Audits,” May 4, 2017.
- “Immigration Law Update,” Presenter, Sterling Education Services, March 29, 2017 – Morgantown, WV.
- “H-1B Visa Applications Can Be Filed On April 3,” Co-Author, March 2, 2017.
- “How the Trump Administration is Changing US Immigration,” Meritas Capability Webinar, March 1, 2017.
- “Essentials of Employment Law,” Presenter, Sterling Education Services, February 22, 2017 – Pittsburgh, PA.
- “President Trump’s Executive Orders on Immigration,” Author, February 14, 2017.
- “Pittsburgh schools, lawyers discourage travel for those affected by Trump order,” Pittsburgh Business Times. January 31, 2017.
- Foreign Direct Investment, Co-author, Global City Media, 2016.
- “Client Reminder: New I-9 Forms Must Be Used Starting 1/22/2017,” Author, December 2, 2016.
- “Intra-Company Transferees – The “L” Visa,” Immigration Law Forum, PBI, September 23, 2016 – Philadelphia, PA.
- “Break the Immigration Stalemate,” Author, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 27, 2016.
- “The Visa Lifecycle for Religious Workers,” Co-author, Immigration & National Law Handbook (AILA 2016-17 Ed.).
- “The Ins and Outs of Employing Foreign Nationals in the United States,” Presenter, What’s Hot in International Business Transactions, PBI, May 11, 2016 – Philadelphia, PA.
- “Immigration and Employment Law,” Presenter, Sterling Education’s Essentials of Employment Law CLE Seminar, March 30, 2016 – Morgantown, WV.
- “H-1B Visas: Be Prepared to Submit Applications,” Co-author, February 17, 2016.
- “Take Advantage of ‘E’ Category Trader and Investor Visas Co-author,” January 28, 2016.
- “Proposed Rule for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students with STEM Degrees,” Co-author, December 1, 2015.
- “L-1B Visas – New Policy Memo Issued on Intracompany Transfers,” Co-author, August 19, 2015.
- “‘E’ Category Trader or Investor Visas,” Co-author, June 26, 2015.
- “Be Prepared for Delays During M&A Deals with Chinese Businesses,” Co-author, The Legal Intelligencer, June 5, 2015.
- “Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses May Seek Employment Authorization – Effective May 26, 2015,” Co-author, March 5, 2015.
- “H-1B Visas: Be Prepared to Submit Applications on April 1st,” Co-author, February 10, 2015.
- “Immigration Reform is Long Overdue,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 14, 2014.