Thomas J. Arkell is a senior partner in the Dunn Law Firm, LLP in Bloomington, Illinois, which was founded in 1915. He earned both his undergraduate degree and his law degree from the University of Notre Dame and he has been licensed to practice law for over twenty years. Mr. Arkell was a F-1 international student and then a permanent resident before obtaining his U.S. citizenship. Tom has extensive expertise in filing National Interest Waiver (NIW) immigrant visa petitions for college and university faculty, researchers, qualified Ph.D. students, and scientists in a wide variety of disciplines including physics, chemistry, biology, aerospace, nanotechnology, medicine, engineering, materials science, sociology, aerospace, and genetics.
Mr. Arkell’s approach is meticulous and his results reflect it. Mr. Arkell’s vast knowledge of the NIW requirements and process allow him to answer client questions immediately and decisively so the NIW petition can be prepared, filed, and approved in an efficient and timely manner. Having gone through the immigration process himself, Mr. Arkell also understands the human element of this process. He respects the importance and urgency felt by his clients to complete the NIW application quickly and successfully so that his clients can concentrate on their field of expertise and not worry about their immigration status in the United States.
F. James Arkell is a 1989 graduate of Texas Tech University School of Law. Jim has a vast array of legal experience including extensive experience in immigration. In 1998, after 9 years as a trial lawyer, he co-founded Retro Studios and in his capacity as General Counsel handled all immigration matters for the company, including H1-B, TN and applications for permanent residence. Retro Studios was acquired by Nintendo, and after successfully transitioning control to Nintendo, he traveled extensively around the world. Upon his return he joined the Dunn Law Firm as a partner where he, along with Mark T. Dunn and Thomas J. Arkell represented various universities and colleges in the State of Illinois. Mr. Arkell subsequently accepted a position to become a law professor. He spent 11 years as a full professor at Shenzhen University School of Law and also taught courses as an adjunct at Peking University Graduate School. He recently spent 5 years as an Assistant Professor teaching Law and Ethics courses at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. During his time as an academic, Mr. Arkell continued to consult with the Dunn Law Firm immigration practice and remained active and current with respect to U.S. immigration law. Mr. Arkell currently exclusively practices immigration law focusing primarily on National Interest Waiver, Extraordinary Ability and Outstanding Professor or Researcher matters for clients from top universities and research Institutions from around the country. His 16 years as a university professor provides him with a unique perspective and he is able to work seamlessly with faculty members, researchers, post docs and graduate students to efficiently complete their immigration matters.
Mr. Gertsch’s primary focus is handling nonimmigrants visas (E, H, K, L, P, O and TN) and green card applications under EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability), EB-1B (Outstanding Professors and Researchers), EB-2 (Advanced Degree Professionals, National Interest Waivers), for universities, companies, scientists, researchers, professors, physicians, athletes, and artists along with any other extraordinary individuals needing immigration counsel. He also represents families needing assistance with green card applications and citizenship applications.
Stacy Rinkenberger has been with the Dunn Law Firm for over ten (10) years and has over twenty (20) years of experience working exclusively on immigration matters, including both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas. Ms. Rinkenberger worked for Caterpillar for ten (10) years as an immigration paralegal prior to joining the firm. Ms. Rinkenberger has extensive experience in employment based immigration applications including filing H-1B petitions, PERM labor certification applications, I-140 Immigrant Petitions and Adjustment of Status applications. She also has experience in drafting National Interest Waiver, Outstanding Professor or Researcher and Extraordinary Ability Petitions. Ms. Rinkenberger regularly utilizes her paralegal studies degree and training, and constantly monitors multiple immigration-related web sites, listservs and publications for new developments in immigration law.
Bong Miquiabas has extensive professional experience in U.S. immigration. A former State Department consular officer, he adjudicated U.S. visas in Mexico and Hong Kong. He later served as the Director of International Student and Scholar Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, working with the Office of General Counsel on immigration matters. In addition, he has worked in journalism for one of the top newspapers in Asia and in corporate communications for one of the largest corporations in the world. Mr. Miquiabas earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Notre Dame.
Kayla Clark earned her associate’s degree in Applied Science from Illinois Central College and has extensive experience in varying legal fields, but has been with the Immigration team for several years. As the NIW and Extraordinary Ability Practice Manager, Mrs. Clark is primarily responsible for assisting in the intake and processing of all new clients, billing related matters, client communications, case management and the preparation for National Interest Waiver, Extraordinary Ability, and Adjustment of Status applications for our highly skilled professors, researchers, and entrepreneurial clients.
Brittany earned her B.S. in Political Science from Illinois State University. She focuses on client communication, file management, and form preparation for our highly skilled clients.
Kerry Hohstadt received his Certificate in Paralegal Studies from Eastern Illinois University and has an associate’s degree from Illinois Central College. Mr. Hohstadt has been with the firm for several years and assists in the drafting of Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Professor Researcher, O-1A and National Interest Waiver petitions.
Shavi Banga has earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Houston. She has over four years of immigration experience. She is extremely passionate about helping clients with immigration matters. She is fluent in Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu. Shavi primarily assists with H-1B, application for labor certification (including PERM), employment-based petitions for alien workers (I-140s), and applications for adjustment of status (1-485s). Her primary focus is preparing applications and petitions on behalf of our university clients.
Jack holds a B.S. in History and Anthropology, as well as a Legal Studies Certificate, from Illinois State University. Jack primarily assists in the preparation of National Interest Waiver petitions. He truly enjoys reading and learning about the impressive abilities and achievements of our NIW clients.
Beenish Huda earned her double master’s degree in English Literature (2010) and Urban Studies (2014) from City University of New York but chose to pursue her professional career in the legal world. With a paralegal certificate from Queens College, New York, Beenish has several years of experience as an immigration/corporate paralegal. She focuses on assisting Family Based Cases and Citizenship Petitions as well as using her extensive education and experience to conduct legal research. She is fluent in Urdu, Punjabi, and Hindi.
Olivia earned her B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of North Florida. Olivia assists with client communication, petition assembly and submission, and appointment scheduling on behalf of Dunn Law Firm's highly skilled clients.
Morgan earned her B.S. in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Illinois State University. She primarily assists with client intake and file preparation, payment schedules and billing matters, and preparation of documentation to be submitted on behalf of our clientele.
Kimberly has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a specialization in art law & crime. She studied art law at Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and The Institute of Art and Law. She has spoken and presented at many universities, institutions, and events such as Digital Fashion Week New York, DCentral during Art Basel, and ICOM International Law Conference, Miami, with The Florida State Bar. She assists in the preparation of extraordinary ability petitions on behalf of artists, professional athletes, professors, and researchers.
Brynn earned her B.A. in Sociology-Criminology from Western Illinois University. She primarily assists in assembling and submitting Adjustment of Status, Family-based, and Citizenship Applications, in addition to appointment scheduling and communication with our valued clients.