March 16, 2026

Immigration Partner Violeta Petrova to Speak on Creative H-1B Alternatives

Immigration Partner Violeta Petrova will serve as a panelist on a virtual roundtable of immigration experts “Creative H-1B Alternatives: Visa Solutions for Recent Graduates to Skilled Professionals,” hosted by AIFS Professional Pathways.

Event Overview
The session will cover practical strategies and visa options for hiring and retaining international talent, including options for both early and advanced career professionals, treaty-based visas, L and O visas, J-1 programs, reclassification strategies, and nearshoring talent in Canada.

Event Details
March 25, 2026
2:30 PM ET / 11:30 AM PT

February 27, 2026

Angelo Mazza to Speak at the 2026 Brand Protection Strategy Summit

IP Partner Angelo Mazza will speak at the 2026 Brand Protection Strategy Summit in Dearborn, Michigan. The event is hosted by the Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection (A-CAPP) at Michigan State University. Angelo will speak on the panel: Insight Exchange: First Moves — Starting Smart in Brand Protection on March 18, 2026 from 10:15 AM-10:45 AM.

The Insight Exchange sessions are fast-paced, informal discussions designed to maximize cross-sector learning and idea flow and continue the conversation. These sessions emphasize active participation, rapid knowledge sharing, and exposure to multiple perspectives, enabling participants to explore emerging issues, generate innovative approaches, and leave with actionable insights that inform their work in brand protection and illicit trade prevention.

About the Event
The Summit brings together leaders from across industry, academia, law enforcement, government, legal, and e-commerce sectors for transparent, solutions-driven collaboration. Participants engage in open conversations, share best practices, and explore actionable strategies that address the evolving challenges of brand protection and intellectual property. Come ready to connect, learn, and contribute — and leave empowered with insights that make a real-world impact across every sector of the brand protection ecosystem.

Angelo Mazza
February 10, 2026

Gibney to Sponsor: U.S. Immigration Update: A Year Later and What’s to Come

Gibney is pleased to sponsor an upcoming webinar hosted by BritishAmerican Business.

About the Program
As employers enter 2026, U.S. employment-based immigration reflects the lasting impact of policy shifts that defined 2025, as the announcement of an “America First” framework and a first year of executive action reshaped the system. Continuous visa vetting, stepped-up enforcement, and new protocols for visa appointments and international travel have altered the landscape for globally mobile workforces, while a presidential proclamation implementing a $100,000 fee for certain H-1B petitions and a weighted selection model for the H-1B cap signal a significant shift in how employers access talent. At the same time, anticipated regulations may narrow green card pathways, restrict work authorization for students on Optional Practical Training, and further tighten the legal standard for H-1B “specialty occupation” eligibility. This panel will unpack what “America First” has meant in practice for employment based U.S. immigration, examine how executive orders and regulatory trends have altered employment-based strategies, and explore options to attract and retain talent in 2026.

Learn more and register.

January 6, 2026

Angelo Mazza to Speak at Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement 2026

Intellectual Property Partner Angelo Mazza will speak at the Practising Law Institute’s Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement 2026 on January 16, 2026. The program provides developments on recent copyright and trademark cases and anticounterfeiting trends.

Angelo will lead the panel: Current Government IP Enforcement Programs. This panel is a yearly round-up of IP related cases and actions. the first part of the panel will cover criminal enforcement by the Department of Justice. The second portion focuses on FTC enforcement actions, including consumer matters and updates related to current trends at the agency.

Angelo will also speak on the panel: US Customs IPR Enforcement and the Interplay with Multiple Priorities. This panel explores the importance of working with US Customs and Border Protection and the legal framework for engagement options open to rights holders. Included will be a deep dive into US Customs enforcement issues including recordations, exclusions, abandonment. In addition, current and evolving tariff issues and other priorities which impact IP will be discussed.

Learn more and register to attend.

November 5, 2025

Immigration Partner David Johnson to Speak at Norwegian Chamber of Commerce on Immigration

Immigration Partner David Johnson will join the Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce and The Association of Norwegian Students Abroad (ANSA) for Career Day 2025 in New York on November 8. This annual event is inspiring day filled with engaging speakers and valuable networking opportunities. David will provide an overview of immigration considerations in the US.

Learn more about the event: https://www.naccusa.org/events/career-day-2

 

October 23, 2025

Immigration Partner Violeta Petrova to Moderate Panel at WERC Global 25

Immigration Partner Violeta Petrova is speaking at WERC Global 25, the Immigration & Tax Summit on October 28, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. This event brings together industry experts, mobility leaders, and service partners for a full day of insight-driven sessions and hands-on workshops on strategies to address today’s most pressing compliance, policy, and workforce challenges. Violeta will moderate the Compliance Breakout 1 Panel: Navigating Ports of Entry  from 12:15 pm – 1 pm. This panel will examine critical issues facing mobility teams today—social media vetting, border interactions, device searches, and strategies for supporting business travelers and permanent residents.

WERC Global 25 is the premier event for the talent mobility industry, uniting professionals from across the globe to share strategies, form connections, and spark innovation. This year marks WERC’s 60th anniversary, and the program reflects that milestone with elevated content, immersive experiences, and global reach.

 

May 6, 2025

IP Partner Angelo Mazza to Discuss Fundamentals of a (Offline) Brand Protection Program at INTA Annual Meeting

IP Partner Angelo Mazza will host a Breakfast Table Topic at the INTA Annual Conference in San Diego on May 18 from 8:00 – 10:00 am. Table Topics offer engaging two-hour discussions on key topics facing intellectual property professionals today and are unique opportunities to connect face-to-face.

Angelo’s session will cover the topic Fundamentals of a (Offline) Brand Protection Program.

Learn more and register.

 

May 6, 2025

Brian Brokate to Host the Session Upcycling: Friend or Foe at the INTA Annual Meeting

IP Partner Brian Brokate will host a Breakfast Table Topic at the INTA Annual Conference in San Diego on May 18 from 8:00 – 10:00 am. Table Topics offer engaging two-hour discussions on key topics facing intellectual property professionals today and are unique opportunities to connect face-to-face.

Brian’s session will cover the emerging topic Upcycling: Friend or Foe. The discussion will explore the recent cases brought by brand owners against entities that customize and re-sell “upcycled” products which retain the original trademarks. This will be an excellent opportunity to learn more about this trend and what the future may hold.

Learn more and register.

 

April 1, 2025

H-1B Cap Alternatives: Visa Options for Employers to Consider

Event Details
Apr 24, 2025 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Virtual Program

Overview

The H-1B visa is among the most popular working visas in the U.S. for individuals filling professional positions. Most H-1B visas are subject to an annual quota or “cap.” Because demand exceeds the number of available visas, U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) conducts a lottery to select which applicants can have their visa application processed. Once the year’s H-1B cap has been filled, new H-1B cap visas won’t be available until the start of the next fiscal year. Employers will be left wondering – are we really out of options until then? The good news is, employers have several alternatives to H-1B Cap visas.

In this presentation, we will discuss key alternative visa sponsorship options for foreign nationals not selected in the H-1B cap lottery to consider including:

  • Cap-exempt H-1B
  • Treaty-based visas (TN, E-3, H-1B1, E-2)
  • F-1 OPT and STEM extension considerations
  • L-1 intracompany transferee application
  • O-1 extraordinary ability employees
  • J-1 Exchange Visitor Program
  • National Interest Waiver immigrant petition

Presenters

Jennifer Davis, Senior Counsel, Immigration, Gibney
Beaula Illingworth, Senior Counsel, Immigration, Gibney
Aisling Ryan, Partner, Immigration, Gibney

Education Credits:

CLE Credit: New York and California Pending
SHRM Professional Development Credit Pending

Register for the program.

March 6, 2025

Angelo Mazza to Speak at the 2025 Brand Protection Strategy Summit on Customs Enforcement Strategies


IP Partner Angelo Mazza will speak at the 2025 Brand Protection Strategy Summit taking place March 25 – 27, 2025. This annual event is held by Michigan State University’s Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection.

Angelo will host a hightop session on Wednesday, March 26th from 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM. Hightop sessions are structured networking and resource sessions where attendees can have short conversations with the panelists.

Angelo will then speak on panel: Strategy for Customs & Enforcement on Wednesday March 26 from 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM. This will be an insightful panel discussion on the customs and enforcement practices in various regions that are crucial in combating counterfeit. Our expert speakers will delve into the unique challenges faced by the region, share successful strategies and initiatives, and explore collaborative efforts between governments, industry, and law enforcement. Gain valuable insights into the latest trends, regulatory frameworks, and innovative approaches to strengthen brand protection and reduce the impact of counterfeiting.

Learn more and register.