Catharine Yen
Practice Areas
Experience
- EB-5 Immigrant Investment
- International
Biography
Catharine Yen is an immigration attorney in Jackson Walker’s Houston office with particular experience in foreign investment and business immigration matters. Catharine represents foreign nationals and immigrant investors in all aspects of the EB-5 process to facilitate cross-border and business immigration transactions dealing with regional centers and direct investments. In her practice, Catharine corresponds with and counsels individual investors, regional centers, agents, securities attorneys, economists, and business plan writers to help her individual investor clients and regional center clients accomplish their goals.
Catharine’s knowledge of the EB-5 visa program, process, and timeline has allowed her to file hundreds of approved I-526 and I-829 petitions. She also regularly prepares and files I-924 Regional Center Applications. Catharine also assists corporate clients in a variety of immigration matters, including non-immigrant visas (H1B, H1B1, E1/E2, E3, L, O, TN) and immigrant visas (EB1A and EB1C). Catharine also frequently advises clients on family-based and naturalization matters.
Prior to joining Jackson Walker, Catharine managed the entire immigration department of an international full-service law firm. She is proficient in Mandarin Chinese.
Additional Languages
Mandarin
Education
B.A., Rice University
J.D., University of Houston Law Center
Bar Admissions
Texas
California
Foreign Investment & Immigration
- Preparation and filing of EB-5 immigrant investment petitions, including I-526 petitions, I-829 petitions, and I-924 Regional Center Applications & amendments
- Preparation and filing of employment-based visas (EB-5, EB-1C, E-2 and L-1), family-based visas, and U.S. naturalization cases
- Advisement on business plans, economic reports, and securities offering documents to ensure compliance with U.S. immigration laws
- Top 10 EB-5 Rising Star, EB5 Investors Magazine, 2024
- Texas Rising Star – Immigration Law, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2018-2026
- Southern California Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2018
- Top 25 EB-5 Immigration Attorney, EB5 Investors Magazine, 2017
- Co-Author, “House of Gold: Documenting Property-Related Source of Funds for Vietnamese Investors,” EB5 Investors Magazine (July 2018)
- Co-Author, “Permissible and Impermissible Guarantees in EB-5,” EB5 Investors Magazine (November 2016)
- Co-Author, “Evaluating an EB-5 Investor from a Regional Center’s Perspective,” American Bar Association Section of International Law, Immigration & Naturalization Committee Newsletter (November 2014)
- Co-Author, “Immigrant Investor Visas: Emergent Trends Around the World,” American Bar Association International Law News Journal (Fall 2014)
- Co-Author, “A Report on Source of Funds: Perils of the Administrative Fee,” EB5 Investors Magazine (Spring 2014)
- Co-Author, “My Regional Center is Approved! Now What?” EB5 Investors Blog (January 2014)
- Co-Author, “Evolving Escrow: Navigating Delayed USCIS processing times,” EB5 Investors Magazine (Winter 2014)
- Co-Author, “Recent Revocations and Enforcement May Change the EB-5 Landscape,” IIUSA (June 2013)
- American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Member
- Asian American Bar Association of Houston, Member
- Social Committee, 2019
- Diversity and Inclusion Committee, 2021
Christian Triantaphyllis and Catharine Yen Recognized as Top Immigration Attorneys by ‘EB5 Investors Magazine’
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce EB5 Investors Magazine’s list of the Top EB-5 Professionals of 2025 includes Christian A. Triantaphyllis as one of the “Top 25 Immigration Attorneys” for an eighth consecutive year, and recognizes Catharine Yen among the “Top 10 Rising Stars” for the second consecutive year.
Attorney News • December 29, 2025
Jackson Walker Congratulates 2025 Texas Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the recognition of 75 attorneys by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers in the 2025 “Texas Super Lawyers” list, as well as 66 attorneys as “Texas Rising Stars” for 2025. Each year, less than 5% of attorneys are selected to Super Lawyers and 2.5% to Rising Stars. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
Attorney News • September 18, 2025
Christian Triantaphyllis and Catharine Yen Recognized as Top Immigration Attorneys by ‘EB5 Investors Magazine’
Please join in celebrating Christian A. Triantaphyllis and Catharine Yen for their well-deserved recognition in EB5 Investors Magazine! Christian was named among the “Top 25 Immigration Attorneys” for the seventh year, reflecting his unparalleled expertise in EB-5, E-2, and L-1 visas. Catharine earned a spot as one of the “Top 10 Rising Stars,” recognizing her exceptional work with immigrant investors and regional centers.
Attorney News • December 19, 2024
Super Lawyers Names 31 Jackson Walker Attorneys in Texas Top Women 2024 Magazine
Jackson Walker congratulates the 31 attorneys who were included in the Texas Top Women 2024 Magazine published by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers. The annual Texas Top Texas Women edition includes the highest-rated women attorneys across the “Texas Rising Stars” and “Texas Super Lawyers” lists in a given practice area.
Attorney News • January 11, 2024
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 2023 Texas Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 63 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2023 “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list, which recognizes only 5% of Texas attorneys who either are 40 years of age or younger or have been in practice for 10 years or less.
Attorney News • March 23, 2023
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 2022 Texas Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 51 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2022 “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list, which recognizes only 2.5% of Texas attorneys who either are 40 years of age or younger or have been in practice for 10 years or less.
Attorney News • March 22, 2022
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 2021 Texas Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 36 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2021 “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list. Spanning five offices and eight major practice areas, these up-and-coming attorneys have been nominated by peers within and outside the Firm.
Attorney News • March 23, 2021
Impacts of COVID-19 on U.S. Immigration and Travel Policies
As USCIS, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Department of State update U.S. travel and immigration policies and restrictions, Jackson Walker provides this resource to assist individuals and businesses navigate this uncertain time.
Insights • July 22, 2020
President Trump Orders Temporary Hold on Immigration – Who’s Impacted? For How Long? What’s Next?
Effective April 23, 2020, the executive order temporarily bans U.S. immigration for 60 days. Previous measures remain in effect, and USCIS continues to accept and process applications and petitions at major service centers.
Insights • April 23, 2020
Jackson Walker Congratulates 30 Attorneys Listed Among 2020 “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” List
Spanning five offices, six major practice areas, and experience ranging from six to 15 years, these 30 up-and-coming attorneys were selected based on peer recognition and professional achievement.
Attorney News • March 10, 2020
Practice Experience
Foreign Investment & Immigration
- Preparation and filing of EB-5 immigrant investment petitions, including I-526 petitions, I-829 petitions, and I-924 Regional Center Applications & amendments
- Preparation and filing of employment-based visas (EB-5, EB-1C, E-2 and L-1), family-based visas, and U.S. naturalization cases
- Advisement on business plans, economic reports, and securities offering documents to ensure compliance with U.S. immigration laws
Recognition & Accolades
- Top 10 EB-5 Rising Star, EB5 Investors Magazine, 2024
- Texas Rising Star – Immigration Law, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2018-2026
- Southern California Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2018
- Top 25 EB-5 Immigration Attorney, EB5 Investors Magazine, 2017
Publications & Speeches
- Co-Author, “House of Gold: Documenting Property-Related Source of Funds for Vietnamese Investors,” EB5 Investors Magazine (July 2018)
- Co-Author, “Permissible and Impermissible Guarantees in EB-5,” EB5 Investors Magazine (November 2016)
- Co-Author, “Evaluating an EB-5 Investor from a Regional Center’s Perspective,” American Bar Association Section of International Law, Immigration & Naturalization Committee Newsletter (November 2014)
- Co-Author, “Immigrant Investor Visas: Emergent Trends Around the World,” American Bar Association International Law News Journal (Fall 2014)
- Co-Author, “A Report on Source of Funds: Perils of the Administrative Fee,” EB5 Investors Magazine (Spring 2014)
- Co-Author, “My Regional Center is Approved! Now What?” EB5 Investors Blog (January 2014)
- Co-Author, “Evolving Escrow: Navigating Delayed USCIS processing times,” EB5 Investors Magazine (Winter 2014)
- Co-Author, “Recent Revocations and Enforcement May Change the EB-5 Landscape,” IIUSA (June 2013)
Community Involvement
- American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Member
- Asian American Bar Association of Houston, Member
- Social Committee, 2019
- Diversity and Inclusion Committee, 2021