Service Areas
Education
- Michigan State University, B.A.
For employers, immigration-related issues can be major headaches. Karen Phillippi works with a team of attorneys and paralegals to provide high-quality, responsive service in all areas of employment-based immigration. From non-immigrant visa petitions and green cards to LCA file and I-9 compliance, the Immigration Services team takes the guesswork out of the immigration process so employers can concentrate on their core businesses. Karen and her colleagues also offer excellent basic training to help their clients better understand the various visa categories and documents involved in immigration matters.
“I believe in providing our clients with clear, concise information that is easy to understand and free of confusing legal terms and citations. We also provide immigration services on a flat-fee basis, thus helping our clients properly budget for each matter.”
Karen Phillippi
Experience
Karen speaks at numerous seminars on immigration-related topics and serves as the administrative manager for Miller Canfield on immigration-related issues. She also develops personal relationships with many of her clients' employees, giving her a vested interest in seeing that their visa or green card applications succeed.
“Unlike most aspects of law, there is a humanizing element with immigration because our attorneys are dealing with the lives of individuals. If our work fails, a person may have to leave the country or not even get in to begin with, and that is serious. I realize this -- every day. Ultimately, our work has an impact not only on employers and employees but also on their spouses and children.”
Honors + Awards
- Michigan State University, Phi Beta Delta (International Honor Society)
Civic, Cultural + Social Activities
- Global Michigan, Advisory Board 2011-present; EB-5 Subcommittee Chairperson 2011-present
- Global Talent Retention Initiative, Advisory Board 2011-present
- Global Detroit, Advisory Board, 2009-present
- Ann Arbor SPARK, Business & Cultural Ambassador Committee, 2007-present
- Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, Education Committee Member, 2002
- Women in International Trade, Vice President, 2002-2003; Membership Chairperson, 2001-2002
Speeches
"Immigration ABCs from H-1B to PERM," Miller Canfield, Ann Arbor, Michigan, March 2011, Chicago, Illinois, September 2011, and Troy, Michigan October 11
"Immigration as a Second Language: Key concepts, terms & who can pay the bill," Miller Canfield HR Training, Kalamazoo, April 2011 and Troy, Michigan, May 2011
"Immigration ABCs from H-1B to PERM," Miller Canfield, Troy, Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, Michigan, October 2010
"Starting a Business in the USA: A Roadmap for Success," Hotel Safi Valle, Monterrey, Mexico, June 2010
"Managing a Global Workforce," MSU Management Education Center, Troy, Michigan, October 2009
"Immigration Basics and Compliance," WMU Fetzer Center, Kalamazoo, Michigan, April 2009
"Hiring Foreign Nationals: What You Need To Know," Miller Canfield, Southfield, Michigan, May 2009
"Immigration ABCs from H-1B to PERM," Miller Canfield, Ann Arbor, Detroit and Lansing, Michigan, March 2009
"Immigration ABCs from H-1B to PERM," Miller Canfield, Troy, Michigan, February 2009
"Immigration Compliance," MSU Management Education Center, Troy, Michigan, October 2008
"Immigration strategies for Canadians entering the US," ITEXus (IT Exporters to the US) Trade Mission to ITEC, Novi, Michigan, May 2008
"Hiring Foreign Nationals: Issues you need to anticipate and prepare for," MSU Management Education Center, Troy, Michigan, October 2007
"Immigration: Employment Compliance Issues and General Update," WMU Fetzer Center, Kalamazoo, Michigan, April 2007
"Immigration: Employment Compliance Issues and General Update," MSU Management Education Center, Troy, Michigan, November 2006
"Issues in the Preparation of Nonimmigrant Visas," The Essentials of Immigration Law for Paralegals, Legal Assistants and Law Office Staff, American Immigration Lawyers Association Conference, New York, New York. December 2002
"H-1B Nonimmigrant Workers," MSU Management Education Center, Troy, Michigan, October 2002
Automation Alley, "Immigration and Intellectual Property. What Every Employer Should Know," Pontiac, Michigan, March 2002
Miller Canfield seminar, "Navigating the Deep Waters of U.S. Immigration," MSU Management Education Center, Troy, Michigan, October 2001
Automation Alley, "H-1B Nonimmigrant Workers," Troy, Michigan, May 2001
Michigan Community College Personnel Administrators' Association, "Immigration Basics," Mackinac Island, Michigan, May 2001
Wayne County RESA, "How to Hire Foreign National Workers," Romulus, Michigan, March 2001
Seminars + Events
- Immigration ABCs from H-1Bs to PERM: What You Need to Know About Hiring Foreign Nationals and Compliance
- 2012 HR Spring Training Seminar
- Immigration ABCs from H-1Bs to PERM: What You Need to Know About Hiring Foreign Nationals and Compliance
- 2011 HR Spring Training Seminar
- Webinar: Export Controls and Immigration: Avoiding Penalties
- Immigration ABCs from H-1Bs to PERM: What You Need to Know About Hiring Foreign Nationals and Compliance
- Update on China-U.S. Business Issues
- Immigration ABCs from H-1Bs to PERM: What You Need to Know About Hiring Foreign Nationals and Compliance
- Starting a Business in the USA: A Roadmap for Success
- Coffee with Counsel: Immigration Basics & I-9 Compliance
- Attracting, Hiring and Retaining Foreign National Talent (Ann Arbor SPARK Global Business Seminar)
- Hiring Foreign Nationals: What You Need to Know
- Employment Law 2009 - Kalamazoo
- Immigration ABCs from H-1Bs to PERM - Lansing
- Immigration ABCs from H-1Bs to PERM - Detroit
- Immigration ABCs from H-1Bs to PERM - Ann Arbor
- Immigration ABCs from H-1Bs to PERM - Troy
Articles
Newsletters
- Hot Points Special Edition China
- Hot Points Special Edition Immigration
- Hot Points Special Edition NAFTA
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