Lecturer Bio
Michael J. Wildes, Esq.
Michael Wildes is a Managing Partner with the leading immigration law firm of Wildes and Weinberg PC in New York City and New Jersey. He serves as Counsel to Lincoln Center, the New York Cosmos and two international/corporate law firms. A former Federal Prosecutor with the United States Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn (1989-1993), he has testified on Capitol Hill in connection with anti-terrorism legislation and is internationally renowned for his successful representation of distinguished individuals and corporate clients. Having represented the United States government in immigration proceedings, Michael Wildes is a frequent participant on professional panels and commentator on network television and radio with regard to corporate immigration law, employer sanction work and compliance.
His boutique law firm specializes exclusively in the practice of U.S. immigration and nationality law. It was established in 1960 by his father Leon Wildes whose best-known accomplishment was his successful representation of John Lennon in his widely publicized deportation proceedings, the circumstances of which have inspired several films and documentaries. More than fifty years since its inception, the firm which now has offices in New York City and Englewood, New Jersey, continues to serve a distinguished domestic and international clientele and covers all areas of U.S. immigration law, including employment and investment-based immigration, work permits, permanent residence for qualified individuals, family-based immigration, asylum applications and all temporary and permanent- type visas.
Michael represents many performing artists, directors, writers, models, actors/actresses, athletes, race car drivers, fine artists, art dealers, curators, and literary agents. Some of his recent clients include famed artist Sarah Brightman, Miss Universe 2008, 2009, and 2010 as well as soccer icon Pele and the staff and players of the newly resurrected New York Cosmos.
Mr. Wildes also served two terms as the Mayor of Englewood, New Jersey and was a member of the New Jersey Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Immigration.
