Minal Shah has been practicing immigration law since 2001, specializing in employment-based immigration. She manages comprehensive immigration benefits and compliance programs for multinational companies and start-ups in a wide range of industries, including biotechnology, healthcare, information technology, arts and entertainment, and financial services. Minal works closely with in-house counsel and human resources personnel to advise on regulatory compliance, workforce management, travel and immigration policies. She regularly conducts training and leads seminars to educate HR, global mobility professionals, and in-house counsel on business immigration matters.

Minal represents corporate and individual clients before U.S. immigration authorities and federal agencies to secure immigration benefits. She obtains temporary work authorization and permanent resident status for international personnel, including executives, multinational managers, scientists, professionals, health care workers, students and artists. Minal develops practical solutions and effective strategies to adapt to changes in the legal and political landscape impacting immigration, enabling employers to recruit and retain international talent.

Prior to joining Van Der Hout, Minal was a partner in a mid-sized national law firm for nearly two decades. Prior to her immigration practice, Minal served as Appellate Law Clerk to Chief Justice Ronald T.Y. Moon of the Supreme Court of the State of Hawaii.

Minal received her J.D. cum laude from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1998. She received a Bachelor’s degree cum laude in Social Sciences and English from the University of California, Irvine.

Representative Cases

  • Worked with in-house counsel and human resources personnel to adapt immigration policies to expanding and diverse remote work arrangements. Developed a strategic approach to support business continuity and compliance, including identifying cases requiring special action, developing cost-saving strategies to maintain work authorization, educating stakeholders, and providing practical solutions to address workforce planning.
  • Consulted with clients to understand the immigration implications of complex corporate mergers and acquisitions, advised on the impact of corporate reorganizations and advised on retention of key personnel post-transaction.
  • Worked closely with in-house counsel to develop site-visit protocols and guide clients through government inspections and audits.
  • Assisted scientific researchers, executives and artists in obtaining work visas and permanent residence based on extraordinary abilities and contribution to the national interests of the U.S.
  • Provided pro bono services to non-profit social services organizations and individuals, including preparation of U visa applications.
  • Represented individuals in family-based immigration applications, petitions for lawful permanent residence, and applications for naturalization.

Honors & Awards

  • Recognized as Leading Immigration Practitioner, Chambers USA 2024

Professional Associations & Memberships

  • American Immigration Lawyers Association
  • Northern California Chapter of AILA, prior leadership positions include the Advisory Council/Board, liaison to the State Workforce Agency and Chair of the Legal Ethics, Unauthorized Practice of Law and Consumer Protection Committees

Community Involvement/Pro Bono

  • Minal has worked with various legal aid organizations and immigration clinics in the San Francisco Bay Area to provide legal services to underrepresented groups and individuals.