Claire Razzolini has advised institutional and individual clients in the area of U.S. immigration and nationality law, focusing on employment-based immigration, since 1999. She provides strategic and steadfast representation to diverse clients through periods of unprecedented change and opportunity, with an emphasis on delivering decisive leadership and practical solutions to solve business immigration challenges in a compliant and cost-effective manner.

Claire works closely with client stakeholders in the Office of General Counsel, Talent Acquisition and Human Resources to establish and manage immigration benefits and compliance programs and to advise on best practices and policies related to the employment of foreign nationals. Her experience includes representing established global companies and small- to medium-sized organizations in the biotechnology, healthcare, pharmaceutical, financial services, digital media, and information technology sectors, among others. Claire has extensive experience representing clients before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Claire has been recognized as immigration thought leader and top immigration author, receiving JD Supra’s Readers’ Choice Award for four consecutive years, from 2021 through 2024. She speaks on developing immigration issues and has presented at numerous international panels addressing emerging immigration issues with senior government representatives, policy analysts, and immigration subject-matter experts.

Before joining Van Der Hout, Claire was a partner in a mid-sized national law firm for nearly two decades. Prior to her immigration practice, Claire worked for a legal services organization to increase access to justice by coordinating pro bono representation for underrepresented individuals and non-profit organizations.

Claire received her J.D. cum laude from the University at Buffalo School of Law in 1998 where she was a member of the Buffalo Law Review. She was awarded a Master of Arts with distinction from Boston College and received a Bachelor’s degree magna cum laude in Political Science and International Public Service from the State University of New York at Fredonia.

Representative Cases

  • Management of comprehensive immigration benefits and compliance programs for institutional clients including global pharmaceutical, healthcare, and financial services organizations.
  • Guided clients through the immigration implications of complex mergers and acquisitions, advised on the impact of corporate reorganizations and handled post-transactions immigration filings to minimize workforce disruption.
  • Facilitated outreach and conducted seminars for business stakeholders and foreign national employees with the announcement of Executive Orders impacting international travel and eligibility for immigration benefits.
  • Prepared white paper addressing immigration impact of remote work for employees with temporary work authorization.
  • Worked closely with in-house counsel to develop site-visit protocols and guide clients through government inspections and audits.
  • Managed seamless transition and integration of large global clients into firm.
  • Established and led firm’s PERM labor certification unit and managed PERM labor certification programs for firm’s largest clients, across diverse industries.
  • Secured a rare J-1 hardship waiver for physician specializing in radiation oncology, and obtained one of the first Conrad J-1 waivers for another physician practicing oncology in an underserved area in Alaska.
  • Counseled corporate clients regarding compliance with U.S. immigration and Department of Labor regulations and employment certification processes.
  • Represented individuals in family-based immigration applications, petitions for lawful permanent residence, and applications for naturalization.

Honors & Awards

  • JD Supra Readers’ Choice Top Immigration Author, 2021-2024

Classes/Seminars

  • Panelist/Speaker, British American Business Inc. conferences in New York and London
  • Speaker, New York City Bar Association immigration forum
  • CLE Presenter, New York State Bar Association
  • CLE Presenter, Ontario-New York Legal Summit
  • Panelist, Immigration Outlook for Employers, in association with Expat Academy

Community Involvement/Pro Bono

  • Claire participates in various pro bono and volunteer activities in association with AILA, I-ARC, New York City Bar Association Immigration Clinic, Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, No Ban JFK, Election Protection, Southern Poverty Law Center, and the Safe Passage Project.
    • Initiatives include:  
      • Supervising attorney at rapidresponse work permit and TPS clinics. 
      • On-site advocate at JFK to facilitate admission of foreign nationals during Travel Bans.
      • Represented unaccompanied minor child in immigration court removal proceedings and family court to secure Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.  
      • Pro-bono counsel for non-profit social service organization and individual clients, facilitating the training of individuals working with autistic children in Romania.