Suzanne Sukkar has years of experience in all areas of immigration law, including, obtaining non-immigrant employment-based visas (such as H, L, E, O, P, R, TN, NAFTA visas), immigrant employment-based visas (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-5 and PERM labor certifications), outbound (global) immigration, family-based immigration, and naturalization.
She is experienced in conducting I-9 and LCA file audit training. She has also developed a niche in the area of E-1/E-2 (treaty trader/investor) visa applications, consular processing, and start-up ventures. Suzanne services a multiple array of employment and business related industries including: automotive, healthcare, education, financial services, hospitality/food, IT/technology, engineering, religious, and not-for-profit. She has a solid foundation in various areas of the law which strengthens her ability to represent immigration clients.
Suzanne represents clients before government agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of State, and Department of Labor. She renders strategic and tactical counsel to a broad clientele base including visa matters for client’s employees at all levels of the corporate organizational structure, from the high-profile CEO or President, to the entry-level business professional. Suzanne has represented high-profile companies in the process of changing its executive-level leadership. Through strategic planning and by offering creative solutions, she has assisted with the seamless transfer of numerous executives and professionals to U.S. subsidiaries or affiliates. Additionally, Suzanne has counseled and offered immigration advice to a CEO Search Committee composed of Board Members of two public companies merging.
Education & Credentials
Education
University of Michigan
B.A., 2000Wayne State University Law School
J.D., 2004Bar Admission
Spoken Languages
- Arabic
- Spanish
Acknowledgements
- Michigan Lawyers Weekly
- Influential Woman of Law, 2023
- Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business
- Immigration Law, 2024
- Crain's Detroit Business
- "Notable Women in Law," 2019
- Best Lawyers in America®
- Immigration Law, 2015-2025
- Michigan Super Lawyers®
- "Rising Star," Immigration Law, 2012-2018
- National Association of Professional Women
- National Woman of the Year Award, 2011
- Arab American National Museum
- Recognition of Prominent Arab American Women
- DBusiness Magazine
- "Top Lawyers," 2017-2021, 2023
- "Leading Lawyer," 2018
Prominent Assignments
- Provided comprehensive legal representation to a leading global IT company, addressing various immigration matters crucial to their operations.
- Advised on and facilitated compliance with immigration requirements for diverse categories, including intracompany transferees, investors, individuals of extraordinary ability, trainees, holders of advanced degrees, professional workers, and skilled laborers.
- Represented clients in a spectrum of corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, and divestitures, ensuring seamless navigation of immigration considerations and post-transaction work authorizations for foreign nationals.
- Orchestrated global immigration strategies and shepherded clients through the intricate processes of securing nonimmigrant visas (H-1B, TN-1/2, L-1A/B, E-1/2, E-3, O-1), green cards, and permanent employment-based immigrant visas.
- Offered counsel to major corporations grappling with U.S. Department of State consular challenges hindering the issuance of work-authorizing visas, adeptly resolving issues and facilitating visa procurement.
- Provided legal representation to corporations seeking entry of knowledge, managerial, and executive-level foreign personnel, ensuring compliance with immigration regulations.
- Assisted employers in navigating Form I-9 inspections and other work site enforcement actions by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, safeguarding against potential legal liabilities.
- Supported clients through Department of Labor audits of H-1B labor condition applications and PERM labor certification applications, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.
- Acted as legal counsel for a global architecture firm, overseeing all U.S. temporary and permanent work visa sponsorships, streamlining processes and ensuring compliance.
- Served as legal counsel for an aerial firefighting company, facilitating numerous E-2 work visas and non-immigrant visa sponsorships for employees, and providing ongoing legal guidance to Human Resources on policy development, management, and immigration compliance.
Professional Involvement
- Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs - Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Development, Chair
- American Bar Foundation, Fellow
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of Michigan
- Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, President
- American Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC), Board Treasurer
- Arab American Professionals Network, AACC, Chair; 2010-2014
- American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Past Chair of Conferences Committee, Michigan Chapter
- Washtenaw County Bar Association
- University of Michigan Alumni Association
- Women’s Exchange
- National Association of Women Lawyers
Community Involvement
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In August 2018, reappointed to a four-year term by Governor Rick Snyder to the State of Michigan’s Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs (CMEAA)
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In June 2015, appointed to a three-year term by Governor Rick Snyder to the State of Michigan’s Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs (CMEAA)
- Host of television program “Immigration Today," broadcast by Comcast, Verizon and other cable carriers, 2011-2012
- Mistress of Ceremonies, American Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC), American Arab Professionals Network Banquet (AAPN), 2010-2014
- Washtenaw County Bar Association, Bias Awareness and Inclusion Week Committee, 2011
- Contest Coordinator and Judge for the American Immigration Council (AIC) “Celebrate America” Creative Writing Contest for 5th graders, 2009-2011
- AILA Citizenship Day: Participant by offering pro-bono legal advice to immigrants seeking to obtain naturalization
- Washtenaw County Bar Association Law Day: Participant offering pro-bono legal advice regarding all areas of immigration law
Publications/Presentations
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Co-Author, "H-2B Visas as Quality Solution for Hospitality: Improve Customer Service With a Fully Staffed Team," Hotel Online, July 2024
- Co-Host, "Utilizing H-2B Visas as Staffing Solutions", DW FastTrack Podcast, April 2024
- Co-Host, "H-1B Solutions in Education", DW FastTrack Podcast, February 2024
- Featured, "H-1B Cap Season: A Changing Landscape," Immigrants Issues and Issues Blog, February 12th, 2024
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Featured, "Are You a School District Struggling to Find Teachers? Foreign Teachers May be the Answer,” Dickinson Wright Minutes on the Matter, December 2023
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Featured, "Professional Worker, but no College Degree Tips for HR Specialists,” Dickinson Wright Minutes on the Matter, December 2023
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Featured, "Visa Solutions for International Transfers Working at Multinational Corporations,” Dickinson Wright Minutes on the Matter, December 2023
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Featured, "An HR Specialists Guide to Professional Worker Visas," Dickinson Wright Minutes on the Matter, December 2023
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Featured, "Nationality as a Starting Point for Work Visa Sponsorship," Dickinson Wright Minutes on the Matter, December 2023
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Co-Presenter, "Key Immigration Takeaways for Health Care Professionals: H-1B, J-1, and Conrad/National Interest Waivers," Dickinson Wright Healthcare Webinar, October 2023
- Co-Author, “EV Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 6," Dickinson Wright Newsletter, June 2023
- Author, "10 Hot Tips for Employers to Consider This H-1B Cap Season,” Immigration Insights and Issues Blog, January 2023
- Author, "H-2B Visa Program gets “Peak Load” Visa Numbers Boost for FY 2023", Dickinson Wright Immigration Insights and Issues Blog, November 2022
- Author, "New Travel Restrictions and New Requirements for Air Travel," Dickinson Wright Immigration Insights and Issues Blog, December 2021
- Author, “Remote Work Policy: Immigration and Post-COVID” Dickinson Wright Immigration Insights and Issues Blog, July 2021
- Featured, Immigration Changes in 2021, DW’s Minutes on the Matter, April 2021
- Panelist, "Human Resources Professionals Track: Navigating Employment Immigration: The Next Four Years,” 46th Annual ICLE Labor & Employment Law Institute, April 2021
- “Workforce Mobility at Risk under NAFTA Renegotiation,” January 2018, Dickinson Wright HR Blog
- Presenter, “U of M Entrepreneur Clinic Immigration Primer,” University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 2016-2020
- Presenter, “Building Bridges Connecting the Divide,” at Juneteenth Celebration, Ann Arbor, Michigan, June 17, 2017
- Presenter, “NAFTA, Trade and Trump,” Dickinson Wright Webinar, June 8, 2017
- Presenter, “UHY Immigration Lunch and Learn” at UHY Advisors Inc., Sterling Heights, Michigan, May 10, 2017
- Moderator, “Women Lawyers Association of Michigan 99th Annual Meeting,” at Lansing, Michigan, April 28, 2017
- Presenter, “NAFTA-Canada Rules and Regulations Seminar,” at Youngstown State University Williamson College of Business, Youngstown, Ohio, March 28, 2017
- Presenter, “Global Mobility and Immigration Seminar” at Global Chamber Nashville, Nashville, Tennessee, December 7, 2016
- Presenter, “Immigration Lunch and Learn” at UHY Advisors Inc., Sterling Heights, Michigan, November 30, 2016
- Presenter, “Doing Business with NAFTA” at University of Toledo Export Success & Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, Toledo, Ohio. September 30, 2016
- Presenter, “Going Global: Direct Foreign Investment Immigration Options,” Dickinson Wright Webinar. April 27, 2016
- Panelist, “Roundtable with U.S. Consular/E-Visa Officers,” U.S. Consulate General in Toronto. April 8, 2016
- Presenter, “Cross-Border Business Travel: Best Practices for Travel between Canada and the United States,” United States Consulate General Toronto and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Webinar. March 21, 2016
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Presenter, “15th Annual Great Lakes Women's Business Conference,” Women's Business Empowerment Center - Great Lakes, September 29, 2015