Dustin J. O’Quinn

Business Immigration Attorney
Location: Houston, TX
Phone: 832-447-2870
Toll Free: 844-402-3900
Fax: 281-335-4774
E-mail Me

Immigration Experience

• Manage world-wide Immigration practice at top regional multidiscipline firm, focusing on providing adaptive client service to businesses with a focus on the Technology and Energy industries.
• Conduct internal Form I-9 audits and represent businesses before the Department of Homeland Security in government-mandated I-9 audits. Counsel businesses on all DHS compliance matters.
• Represent energy companies in obtaining authorization to operate in the Outer-Continental Shelf.
• Represent employers in the sponsorship of permanent residence for Outstanding Researchers, Aliens of Extraordinary Ability, Multinational Managers and Executives, and Professional Employers via rigorous Labor Certification and recruitment programs.
• Secure nonimmigrant visa status for International Treaty Investors and Traders, Aliens of Extraordinary Ability, Multinational Managers/Executives, Specialized Knowledge Workers, Specialty Occupation employees, NAFTA Professionals, Religious Workers, and Seasonal Workers.
• Counsel individuals on family-based immigration, citizenship, and deportation matters.
• Pro Bono representation of “Special Immigrant” applicants in Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions before the DHS.
• Fluent in Spanish.

Education

• THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SCHOOL OF LAW, AUSTIN, TX.
  • Doctorate of Jurisprudence: May 2005
    • Texas Review of Entertainment and Sports Law – Editor-In-Chief
    • Texas Journal on Civil Liberties and Civil Rights – Staff Editor
    • Political Asylum Project of Austin/American Gateways – Immigration Law Volunteer
    • Advanced Civil Litigation Law Clinic – First Place Winner
• THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, AUSTIN, TX.
  • Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Minor in Spanish: May 2012

Awards & Recognition

• Texas Rising Star: Super Lawyers®, 2014, 2015
• Best Lawyers in America: Chambers USA, 2014, 2015
• Top Lawyers in Houston: Houstonia Magazine, 2014, 2015

Professional Affiliations & Service

• Human Rights Initiative: Board of Directors, 2013 -2016
• State Bar of Texas: Vice President, Employment-Based Issues – Immigration Section, 2013 – 2014
• American Immigration Lawyers Association: Co-Chair – Texas Chapter Fall Conference, 2013
• American Immigration Lawyers Association: Co-Chair – Dallas Section, 2012 – 2013
• J. L. Turner Legal Association: Board of Directors, 2013
• State Bar of Texas: Vice President, Conference and Publications – Immigration & Section, 2013
• Dallas Regional Chamber: Volunteer Committee Planner – Young Professionals, 2012 – 2013
• Business Council for the Arts: Graduate – Leadership Arts Institute, (2012 – 2013)
• Human Rights Initiative: Volunteer, 2013 – 2015
• Catholic Charities: Volunteer, 2010 – 2012

Bar Admissions

• Texas, 2006

Speeches & Publications

Publications

• Author, Homeland Security Dangers During Mergers and Acquisitions, Dallas Bar Association Headnotes, July 2013.
• Author, Completing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, in Form & Fundamentals (AILA 2012-2013).
• Author, Workplace Enforcement at Every Turn, Tex. Law., April 2, 2012.
• Co-Author, Know The Procedural Ins and Outs to Avoid Immigration Pitfalls, Tex. Law., Feb. 22, 2010, at 22.

Speeches

• Speaker, Address to the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Texas Chapter: H- l B Visas in the Medical Context (November 2014).
• Speaker, Address to the National Oilwell Varco Global Human Resources Summit: Onboarding Employees in the United States: From Interns to Executives (October 2014).
• Speaker, Address to the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Texas Chapter: PERM Labor Certification Strategy (April 2014).
• Speaker, Address to the Austin LGBT Bar Association: The Immigration Impact of Windsor and the Repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (November 2013).
• Speaker, Address to Goose Creek Independent School District: Immigration Options for Students & Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Updates (August 2013).
• Panelist, Employment-Based Immigration: Can Our Immigration Policy Foster Business? (March 2013.) (Public event held at Texas Wesleyan University School of Law; sponsored by the Immigration & Nationality Law Section of the State Bar of Texas and the Texas Wesleyan Immigration Initiative.)
• Speaker, Address to Dallas Independent School District: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals & Immigration Options for Students (January 2013).
• Speaker, Address to Goose Creek Independent School District: Immigration Options for Students & Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Updates (November 2012).
• Speaker, Address to the Texas Association of Vocational Adjustment Coordinators: The DREAM Act Policy and Immigration Options for Students (August 2012, September 2012).
• Speaker, Address to the Paralegal Section, J. L. Turner Legal Society: Immigration Practice Dos and Don’ts (July 2012).
• Speaker, National Address to the American Immigration Lawyers Association: PERM Labor Certifications – Laying the PERM Foundation (June 2012).
• Speaker, Address to the American Immigration Lawyers Association: PERM Labor Certification Applications (April 2011).

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Positions

• Berry Appleman & Leidan, LLP.: Dallas, TX
  • Senior Corporate Immigration Associate: January 2014 – January 2015

• Gardere Wynne & Sewell, LLP.: Dallas, TX
  • Of Counsel: January 2012 – January 2014

• Berry Appleman & Leidan, LLP.: Dallas, TX
  • Corporate Immigration Associate: November 2010 – January 2012

• FosterQuan, LLP.: Austin, TX/San Antonio, TX
  • Corporate Immigration Associate: July 2008 – November 2010

• DMCA & Associates, LLP.: San Antonio, TX
  • Corporate Immigration Associate: March 2007 – July 2008