Kelly D. Cobb
Experience
- International
“Kelly Cobb is recognized for her ability to advise blue-chip companies on their global mobility issues. She is notably adept at advising clients on issues arising from M&A and joint ventures. One source noted, 'Kelly gives us the attention we need and provides the best advice.'”
— Chambers USA Guide, 2023
Biography
Kelly D. Cobb is a partner in the Business Immigration & Compliance section of Jackson Walker’s Houston office. Kelly primarily focuses on U.S. corporate immigration law, including applications/petitions for all visa categories and paths to U.S. permanent residence and naturalization. She offers experienced counsel related to navigating the intricacies of ever-changing laws, regulations, and government processes in Immigration law.
She has more than 20 years of experience counseling clients in the development and implementation of strategic immigration policies and advising U.S. and international clients on immigration issues related to corporate restructuring, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and start-ups.
Kelly has in-depth experience working within Houston’s international energy sector, primarily focusing on large-volume corporate immigration, including management of both U.S. immigration and global migration. She has more than 20 years of experience counseling clients in U.S. Outer Continental Shelf compliance, particularly focusing on assisting international corporations in vessel exemptions, specialist work authorizations, crew member exemptions, and crew and specialist mobilization.
Education
B.A., Texas State University
J.D., South Texas College of Law Houston
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
Supreme Court of Texas
- 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, 2017-2025
- 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
- Co-author, “The First 100 Days: Practical Implementations of President Trump’s Executive Orders On Immigration,” The Houston Lawyer (June 2025)
- Mentions, “Visas Revoked, Status Changed for International Students in TX,” Public News Service (April 2025)
- Author, “Alien Registration Requirement: What You Need to Know,” Jackson Walker Insights (April 2025)
- Author, “DOJ Enforcing Criminal Penalties When Employers Fail to Comply,” Jackson Walker Insights (March 2025)
- 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
June 30, 2025
Insights
The First 100 Days: Practical Implementations of President Trump’s Executive Orders On Immigration | The Houston Lawyer
By Sang M. Shin, Christian A. Triantaphyllis, and Kelly D. Cobb
June 5, 2025
Spotlight
Chambers and Partners Releases 2025 USA Guide Featuring 79 Jackson Walker Attorneys and 28 Ranked Departments
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 79 attorneys and 28 departments for inclusion in the 2025 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys were ranked across 29 departments, with 4 attorneys listed among multiple areas, 9 ranked nationwide in their respective areas, and 12 recognized for the first time.
May 30, 2025
Newsletters
JW Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter – May 2025
View Jackson Walker’s May 2025 Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.
April 24, 2025
Mentions
Visas Revoked, Status Changed for International Students in TX | Public News Service
In this article featured in the Public News Service, Kelly Cobb discusses the challenges faced by international college students in Texas who are struggling to remain in the country after their visas were unexpectedly revoked by the federal government.
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.
Practice Experience
- 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
Recognition & Accolades
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Ranked for Immigration – Texas, 2006-2008, 2017-2025
- 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
Publications & Speeches
- Co-author, “The First 100 Days: Practical Implementations of President Trump’s Executive Orders On Immigration,” The Houston Lawyer (June 2025)
- Mentions, “Visas Revoked, Status Changed for International Students in TX,” Public News Service (April 2025)
- Author, “Alien Registration Requirement: What You Need to Know,” Jackson Walker Insights (April 2025)
- Author, “DOJ Enforcing Criminal Penalties When Employers Fail to Comply,” Jackson Walker Insights (March 2025)
- 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)
Community Involvement
- 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