Our staff can assist you in several languages, including: President/CEO Jan Pederson, Esq.
Our Dedicated Staff Associate Attorney Alison Shurtleff is a talented graduate of The George Washington University Law School, where she was a founding member of the Immigration Law Association. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles and is fluent in Spanish. Ms. Shurtleff possesses special expertise in H-1B visas, hardship waivers for J-1 physicians, and O-1 visas. She also assists clients applying for permanent residence through EB-1 petitions for aliens of extraordinary ability, national interest waivers, self-petitions for victims of crime or domestic violence, and applicants for political asylum. Associate Attorney Michelle Kobler received her Juris Doctorate from The George Washington University Law School, where she graduated with honors. Previously, she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. She manages a diverse portfolio at Pederson Immigration Law Group, including the filing of hardship waivers for J-1 physicians, EB-1/EB-2 visas, national interest waivers, and applications for religious or political asylum.
English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Chinese
The firm was founded by Ms. Pederson in Washington, D.C. in 1980, with its guiding principle that service and results to the client are the top priorities of the firm. This philosophy is manifested in the dedicated daily work of all firm members. In fulfilling its responsibilities of serving an international clientele, the firm leadership believes it is important to our clients that a firm member be available at all times (7 days a week, 365 days a year) to resolve problems.
MORE: Ms. Pederson's biography
Senior Legal Assistant - Family Immigration
Natali Felipe received a degree in Business Administration and has had several years of experience working for international organizations. On the staff of Pederson Immigration Law Group, she is primarily responsible for family based visa petitions and removal of conditions, naturalization, and acting as liaison with clients and attorneys to answer questions and provide general information in Spanish/English. Ms. Felipe has native fluency in Spanish.
Legal Assistant – Permanent Residence
Cathy Marques aides clients pursuing labor certification through the Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) program. She handles all aspects of the PERM process, including: prevailing wages, work-location research and medically underserved area determinations, job classification, creating and posting job advertisements, and applicant reviews. She also works with clients preparing for and filing National Interest Waivers, I-140 immigrant petitions, adjustment of status applications, employment authorization, and advance parole documents. Ms. Marques is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish.
Legal Assistant – Employment Immigration
Sophia Liu focuses on assisting international medical graduates, health care workers, and other professionals with their employment-based immigration needs. He specializes in J-1 waivers for international medical graduates and special immigrant broadcasters, as well as H-1B visas, PERM labor certifications, and adjustment of status applications.
Client Specialists
Our wonderful and highly skilled client specialists are here to assist you daily with your case. They handle many tasks, including assisting with opening cases and gathering initial information for new perspective clients; scheduling telephone and personal appointments with attorneys; updating contact and case information in clients files and the database; acting as liaison between clients and attorneys to answer questions and provide general case information; aiding and assists legal assistant; providing general office support and clerical duties.
