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James Prappas has over 30 years experience representing businesses, families and individuals concerning employment-based immigration, family-based immigration and naturalization matters.

He regularly assists corporate clients to secure the best talent from around the globe to achieve business goals.  As a Board-Certified specialist, James advises Fortune 500, middle-market and emerging companies in U.S. immigration matters relating to the energy, manufacturing and service industries.  Clients value his attentive service and invaluable legal insights as he guides them through the process of strategic immigration planning and related transactional matters.

James has extensive experience in nonimmigrant visas, including B, E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H1B1, L, O, P, R and TN.  He advises clients on the international transfer of key personnel, employment and family-based immigration, worksite enforcement and I-9 matters, naturalization and derivative citizenship.

He thoroughly evaluates each client’s situation to craft solutions that reflect their objectives. James applies his extensive knowledge and expertise to help clients navigate an increasingly complex world to achieve integrated business and immigration solutions.

Bar Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas (1986)

Education

  • University of Houston Law Center, J.D., 1985
  • Davidson College, A.B., with honors, 1980
  • Successful E-1 applications for manufacturers and service providers and E-2 applications for real estate and agricultural investors to permit the growth and expansion of their U.S. businesses.
  • Extensive track record filing E-1 Treaty Trader and E-2 Treaty Investor cases for start-up and existing entities.
  • Expertise concerning individual L-1 and L-1 blanket petitions for start-up and existing businesses.
  • Extensive experience concerning H-1B petitions and overcoming RFEs.
  • Extensive experience counseling employers concerning E-verify matters.
  • Significant expertise concerning O-1 visas for athletes, artists and business persons.
  • Extensive background and experience concerning family-based immigration petitions.
  • Substantial experience concerning derivative citizenship and complex naturalization petitions.
  • Developing the strategy and implementing an integrated solution to permit businesses to obtain nonimmigrant visas and lawful permanent residence aka “green cards” for employees through EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 options.
  • Board Certified, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Immigration and Nationality Law (1993)
  • Best Lawyers in America©, U.S. News & World Report (Immigration Law, 2011 - 2023)
  • Ranked in Chambers USA Guide, Immigration – Texas (2015 - 2023)
  • Super Lawyers, 2023
  • Top Lawyers, Houstonia Magazine (2019)
  • U.S. Department of Commerce Houston District Export Council, Member
  • British-American Business Council Houston, Board Member
  • Japan America Society of Houston, Board Member
  • Netherlands America Chamber of Commerce – Texas Chapter, Board Member (2011- 2018)
  • The Parish School - Board Member (2009- 2017); Vice President (2013-2017)
  • Consulate General of Mexico in Houston, Honorary Legal Counsel
  • Greek
  • Spanish

Prappas-James

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