• Representing U.S. and global corporations in obtaining work authorizations for entire vessel crew and specialists assigned to the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf
• Managing PERM labor certification programs for large engineering and information technology companies sponsoring their employees for permanent residence
• Advising U.S. and international clients on immigration implications for complex corporate restructuring
• Partnering with clients to proactively address the issues related to maintaining and deploying an international workforce

• Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Ranked for Immigration – Texas, 2006-2008, 2017-2024
• The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Immigration Law, 2010-2021, 2025
• Recommended Attorney, Who’s Who Legal Corporate Immigration – USA Report, 2024
• Recommended Attorney, The Legal 500: United States (Legalese Ltd.), 2013
• “Texas Super Lawyer,” Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2009-2013
• Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers – Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters, 2005-2007

• Speaker, “Embracing Diversity: Supporting DACA, TPS, and Asylum Workers,” LEGALKwik (2025)
• Speaker, “Let’s Talk… Immigration, Employment, and Tax,” BABC Seminar (May 2024)
• Speaker, “H2-As & H2-Bs,” TexasBarCLE Course for Advanced Immigration Law (February 2024)
• Mentions, “New H-1B visa rule promises fairer play, but higher stakes,” TechTarget (February 2024)
• Author, “Employers Navigate Post-Pandemic Compliance and Regulatory Changes in a Shifting Immigration Landscape,” Texas Lawyer (September 2023)
• Author, “Hiring Foreign Professionals Could Help Alleviate U.S. Labor Shortage,” Texas Lawyer (September 2022)
• Panelist, “U.S. Business Immigration Virtual Roundtable,” Jackson Walker Webinar (September 2022)
• Speaker, “US Immigration & Global Migration: Managing a Global Workforce in a Post-Pandemic World,” Austin SHRM Annual Conference (August 2022)
• Speaker, “Redefining Success: Knowing What You Want, Why You Deserve It, and How to Get It”, The Women in Legal & Corporate Leadership Summit: Houston (March 2020)

• American Bar Association
• Houston Bar Association
• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
• Texas Women Lawyers
• United Way Women’s Initiative
• United Way Young Leaders
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
• Tahirih Justice Center
• Women’s Business Alliance (WBA), Greater Houston Partnership
• Greater Houston Partnership, Business Resource Group–Business Beyond Borders
• The Women’s Resource of Greater Houston, Advisory Council

April 16, 2025
Insights

Alien Registration Requirement: What You Need to Know

By Kelly D. Cobb

The Alien Registration Requirement goes into effect today. Please be aware that most foreign nationals working in the US with a visa are exempt, and registration and fingerprints are not required. Registration may only apply to Canadian nationals, children who were not fingerprinted at the consulate, and individuals who entered without inspection.

March 3, 2025
Insights

DOJ Enforcing Criminal Penalties When Employers Fail to Comply

By Kelly D. Cobb

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a memo indicating a significant policy shift to prioritize immigration enforcement and expand the use of criminal statutes to address illegal immigration. The DOJ will support the Department of Homeland Security’s initiatives by using all available criminal statutes.

February 19, 2025
Podcasts

ICE and Immigration Enforcement Legal Perspectives for Businesses

JW Fast Takes Podcast | ~9 minutes

In this episode, Kelly Cobb discusses the role and activities of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

January 30, 2025
Podcasts

Kelly Cobb Takes on Immigration H-1B Site Visits

JW Fast Takes Podcast | ~8 minutes

In this episode, Kelly Cobb discusses the uptick in USCIS site visits for H-1B employers.

December 16, 2024
Newsletters

JW Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter – December 2024

View Jackson Walker’s December 2024 Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.

August 23, 2024
Newsletters

JW Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter – August 2024

View Jackson Walker’s August 2024 Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.

August 15, 2024
Attorney News

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.

June 6, 2024
Spotlight

Business Immigration & Compliance Partners Kelly Cobb and Sang Shin Recognized in Chambers USA Guide

Jackson Walker proudly announces the first-time ranking of the Business Immigration & Compliance practice in the Chambers USA Guide for 2024. In addition, Kelly Cobb and Sang Shin were recognized among the top attorneys in Texas in this area.

June 6, 2024
Spotlight

Chambers and Partners Releases 2024 USA Guide Featuring 67 Jackson Walker Attorneys and 23 Ranked Departments

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 67 attorneys and 23 departments for inclusion in the 2024 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys were ranked across 27 departments, with 3 attorneys listed among multiple areas, 8 ranked nationwide in their respective areas, and 15 recognized for the first time.

April 22, 2024
Attorney News

Who’s Who Legal Features Kelly Cobb in Corporate Immigration Report

Kelly Cobb was named among the highest-ranked lawyers in Who’s Who Legal’s Corporate Immigration – USA report. Notably, fewer than 50% of practitioners are listed as “Recommended” in the WWL: Corporate Immigration Report.

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