At VERSFELD & HUGO, LLC we help both individuals and corporations across the world with respect to all matters that relate to Immigration, Naturalization, Visa and Consular Law to the US, Australia and South Africa.
Mr. Versfeld represents a variety of small and Fortune Companies both nationally and internationally. He provides counsel to their Human Resource Departments on the hiring of Foreign National Workers, Executives and Specialized Workers; and advises them on Labor Certifications, and all issues relating to Immigration Employment Compliance.
Mr. Versfeld has worked together with other attorneys advising them on Immigration matters in the areas of Mergers and Acquisitions; Formation of Companies and Foreign Subsidiaries; Immigration Employment Compliance (I-9, Social Security “No Match Letters”, and undocumented workers).
He further provides counsel to Religious Organizations, Individuals and Families on all areas of U.S. Immigration and has successfully represented various Athletes and Researchers with Extra-Ordinary Ability in their efforts to immigrate to the United States.
Mr. Versfeld has testified before the Missouri Legislator on proposed Immigration Legislation on Employment Compliance, and is frequently ask to present on the topic of U.S. Immigration both nationally and internationally.
Prior to establishing Versfeld & Hugo, LLC, Mr. Versfeld practiced law in South Africa as an Advocate (Barrister) of the High Court of South Africa before coming to the United States. He successfully petitioned the Supreme Court of Missouri to waive Supreme Court Rule 8.03(a)(1) and Rule 8.03(a)(2) requiring a Juris Doctorate from a law school approved by the American Bar Association, and was admitted to practice law in the State of Missouri after passing the Missouri Bar Exam.
Awards/Recognitions:
- Martindale Hubble: “Peer Review Rated”;
- Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers: “Rising Star Super Lawyer” (2008)(2009);
- Missouri Lawyers Weekly: “Up and Coming Lawyer” (2008);
- Kansas City Business Journal: “Best of the Bar” (2007)(2008)(2009);
- Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association: Outstanding CLE Contributor Award (2007);
- Delta Motor Corporation (Pty.) Ltd.: Full Scholarship
Publications:
· Author: "Immigration and Naturalization Practice," Missouri Administrative Law, Chapter 23, Fourth Edition, Vol. II, published by The Missouri Bar (2009)
International Presentations:
· Presenter: “USA Immigration: Business & Investment” Shanghai/Beijing, China (2006);
· Presenter: “Hiring of Foreign National Workers in the USA” Salzburg, Austria (2007);
· Co-Presenter: “International Business Immigration” Sydney, Australia (2007);
· Presenter: “United States Immigration” Pilanesberg, South Africa (2008);
· Moderator: “International Law Continuing Legal Education” Rome, Italy (2008)
National Presentations:
· Co-Presenter: “US Immigration Compliance” 21st Annual Corporate Counsel (2007);
· Moderator: “The I-9 Makeover: Compliance without Discrimination in an Elevated Enforcement Environment” (2008);
· Moderator: “What You Need to Know When Representing Foreign Nationals in Criminal Matters” (2008);
· Co-Presenter: “How to Prepare Your Company for an ICE Raid” 22nd Annual Corporate House Counsel Institute (2008);
· Presenter: “Immigration Compliance & Avoiding Liability” (2009)
Memberships:
· American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA);
· Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (KCMBA);
o Chair of International Law Committee 2006/7 and 2007/8;
o Member - Inns of Court (Division II, 2004/5);
o Graduate of 3rd Annual Greater Kansas City Bar Leadership Academy 2005/6;
· Serve on the Board of various Charitable Organizations in Kansas City.
Expert Witness Testimony:
· Marvin Davis vs. Gene Fritzel Construction Co., Inc., et al., 2008 (Immigration Compliance/Negligent Hiring);
· International Adoption Matter (South Africa), 2008.
Bar & Court Admissions:
- South Africa
- United States (Missouri); United States District of Kansas
- England and Wales
Education:
· Baccalaureus Legum Civilium (BLC) - University of Pretoria, South Africa
· Baccalaureus Legum (LLB) - University of Pretoria, South Africa