Mr. Wheelwright is the Chair of the Firm’s Immigration Law Practice Group. Since 1997 he has represented local, regional and national companies and individuals in legal matters involving United States immigration and nationality law.

The following is a brief description of the legal services he and his team provide:

Worksite Enforcement - Advises companies about all aspects of complying with federal and state employment eligibility veri cation laws (Form I-9 and E-Verify), worksite enforcement, and Social Security “No-Match” letters. Conducts internal audits for companies, evaluates their compliance with such laws, and helps them develop and implement workable compliance plans, training programs, and “Best Practices” to employ a legal workforce. Represents companies that are being investigated and targeted by the United States government for compliance audits and other worksite enforcement actions, including administrative, criminal, and federal contractor debarment proceedings. Has successfully negotiated lower administrative and criminal fines, lower criminal penalties, and alternatives to debarment. Experienced in helping general contractors in the construction industry implement workable I-9 compliance plans for them and their subcontractors. Performs independent I-9 compliance audits.

Temporary Work Visas - Secures work visas for United States companies who need to employ foreign workers temporarily, including E-3, H-1B, H-1B (Chile), H-1B (Singapore), H-2A, H-2B, J-1, L-1A, L-1B, Blanket L, O, P, R-1, and TN temporary worker visas.

Permanent Work Visas - Secures Lawful Permanent Resident status (“Green Card”) for foreign workers employed permanently by United States companies under the Outstanding Researcher and Professor, Multinational Manager and Executive, Alien of Exceptional Ability, National Interest Waiver, Member of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees, Professional, Skilled Worker, Other Worker, and Religious Worker categories.

Foreign Investors - Advises foreign investors regarding the requirements for securing temporary and permanent visas through investing in the United States. These opportunities generally include E-1 and E-2 visas and Green Cards through the Employment Creation (EB-5) category. Collaborates with other attorneys in the rm who have expertise in other areas of law that a foreign investor is likely to confront when investing in the United States (banking, corporate & securities, employment, real estate, tax & estate planning, and technology).

Educational Institutions - Advises charter schools, school districts, colleges, universities, and their foreign faculty, staff, and students regarding immigration-related issues.

Individuals - Helps individuals and their family members secure temporary and permanent immigration status in the United States, including United States citizenship.

Waivers - Helps individuals secure waivers when they cannot be admitted to or are removable from the United States.

Complex Immigration Issues - Helps individuals whose immigration case involves particularly complicated or novel issues of law that require special attention and expertise.

International and Domestic Adoptions - Helps United States citizens adopt children internationally and secure immigration-related paperwork for their adopted children. Also represents clients in private-placement, agency, and step-parent adoptions before the Utah State Courts. 

Presentations - Mr. Wheelwright has presented extensively on the topic of immigration and nationality law, workshite enforcement, I-9 forms, E-Verify, and related topics at national and local conferences, seminars, webinars, and workships for trade associations, companies, HR personnel, attorneys, and community groups. 

Durham Jones & Pinegar ~ DJPLAW.COM SALT LAKE CITY | LEHI | OGDEN | ST. GEORGE | LAS VEGAS

FIRM MANAGEMENT

Chair, Immigration Law Practice Group

PRACTICE AREAS

Immigration law Employment

• Employment & Labor Law

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE

• Utah

• United States Court of

  Appeals for the Tenth

  Circuit

• United States Supreme

  Court

EDUCATION

University of Utah, S. J. Quinney College of Law - J.D. (1997)

Brigham Young University - B.A., Political Science, cum laude (1994)

PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Mountain States Super Lawyers, and Utah Business magazine’s “Utah Legal Elite” in the category of Immigration Law, as well as in The International Who’s Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers

American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) [Member (1995– present); Business Immigration Committee (2005–07); Nebraska Service Center Liaison Committee (2005–06); Chapter Chair Orientation Committee (2005 –2006); Chair, Utah Chapter/ National Board of Governors (1998–2000; 2004–2006); Vice- Chair, Utah Chapter (2003–2004)]

Chair, Immigration Taskforce, Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce

Board Member, Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce

Vice-Chair, Immigration Taskforce, Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce

Barrister, Rex E. Lee American Inn of Court

Judge Pro Tempore, Second Judicial District Court for Weber County, State of Utah (2001–2007)

North View Fire District [Chair, Board of Trustees (2010-Present]

Pleasant View City [Mayor (2006- 2008); City Council (2004-2006); Planning Commission (2003); Board of Adjustments (2002)]