Stephen Pattison
Department: US Immigration
Area of expertise/speciality :
Steve is the partner in charge of the U.S. immigration unit and advises companies and individuals on all aspects of U.S. immigration law and regulation, with special emphasis on business immigration, including the L, H, E, O and P non-immigrant visa categories. As a former member of the Senior Foreign Service of the United States, Steve applies his in-depth knowledge and experience of consular procedures and processing to advise clients on both immigrant and non-immigrant visas on how to achieve their professional and personal objectives in the U.S.
Steve writes frequently on immigration matters for publications in the U.S. and the U.K. and is a regular speaker at seminars, and conferences on a wide range of topics, including consular processing, visa waivers, and immigration policy and reform. He is an active member of the Rome District Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and currently serves on the Executive Committee as Treasurer.
Education background:
1975 - 1978 J.D., University of Texas Law School, Austin, Texas
1971 - 1975 BA, Summa cum Laude, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
Career History:
2007 to date Partner, Magrath LLP
1979 to 2007 Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State
1978 to 1979 Attorney, Dyche and Wright Law Firm, Houston, Texas
Memberships
Phi Beta Kappa
Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity
American Foreign Service Association
American Immigration Lawyers Association, Rome District Chapter
State Bar of Texas
Languages
Steve studied a number of languages over the years while in the Foreign Service and has working knowledge of German, Romanian, Thai, Arabic, and Spanish.
Articles and Publications:
"Beyond the Zero-Sum Game: Toward More Cooperative Consul/Counsel Relations", The American Immigration Lawyer's Association Visa Processing Guide and Consular Posts Handbook, 2008 edition;
"On the Record with Stephen Pattison: From Consul to Counsel", profile in July 08 Immigration Law Today, magazine of the American Immigration Lawyer's Association.
"Immigration Reform and the Obama Administration", The In-House Lawyer, September 09(www.inhouselawyer.co.uk);
"US Immigration Reform Derailed in Senate", The In-House Lawyer, August 2007;
"99 State Ten Years On-Is the Relationship between Consular Officers and Immigration Attorneys Advancing the Visa Application Process?" The American Immigration Lawyers Association Immigration and Nationality Law Handbook, 2009 Edition, jointly authored with Liam |Schwartz, Anastasia Tonello and Jan Pederson.
Other Interests
Steve lives in Belsize Park in North London with his wife and three children. He enjoys downhill skiing, distance cycling, country walks, the theatre, cooking and fine whiskey. Steve is also a proud member of the world-renown London Bach Choir, where he sings tenor and is working on his English accent.
Email address: