Lecturer Bio
James Ziegenfuss
James Ziegenfuss is a highly experienced immigration attorney who spent ten years at the largest and most prestigious immigration law firm in the world. He subsequently went in-house at an even more prestigious law firm and has now founded his own firm.
Through this extensive experience, James has developed deep expertise in assisting individuals with the complex and often challenging U.S. immigration process. His practice spans nearly all employment-based and family-based immigration filings, including both nonimmigrant and immigrant petitions before U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, consular posts worldwide, and the Department of Labor.
At the corporate level, James has led immigration functions both internally and as external counsel for industry-leading organizations. He understands that the success of an immigration program goes beyond individual case outcomes, focusing on supporting employees so they can effectively fulfill their critical responsibilities. While he cannot change the inherently complex and sometimes frustrating nature of the immigration system, James ensures his clients receive the highest level of service, expert guidance, and a true advocate to help navigate the path to U.S. immigration.
Driven by a genuine passion for helping people and a natural problem-solving mindset, James continually seeks innovative solutions for his clients, whether through creative legal strategies or the adoption of technology to improve efficiency and enhance the client experience.
James earned both a Juris Doctorate, magna cum laude, from American University’s Washington College of Law and a Licenciatura en Derecho from La Universidad Carlos III de Madrid through a joint degree program. He also holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology, Spanish, and International Studies from The Pennsylvania State University.
Outside of his professional work, James enjoys spending time with friends and his 90-pound dog, Shadow. He also pursues hobbies including woodworking, leatherworking, baking, cooking, and exploring new technology.
