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Melissa G . Shepard Bar Admission: State of
<br /> California, #297107
<br /> (
<br /> mshepard@immdef.org
<br /> PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
<br /> Immigrant Defenders Law Center, Los Angeles, CA—
<br /> SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
<br /> Legal Services Director, December 2024- Present
<br /> • "Advanced Waivers:The
<br /> Directing Attorney, November 2022-December 2024 1-212",AILA California
<br /> • Manage removal defense programs funded by local government and Chapters Conference, Los
<br /> private foundations on a universal representation model. Angeles, CA, Nov. 2022;
<br /> • Oversee team of attorneys, managing attorneys and program
<br /> associates on the Community Defense Programs, Cross Border • "Universal Representation
<br /> Initiative, Welcoming Project and Rapid Response Team. and Other Forms of Relief
<br /> • Liaise with local government, agencies and organizations to advance UVisa", Immigrant
<br /> universal representation efforts and rapid response efforts. Defenders Law Center,
<br /> June 2022;
<br /> Managing Attorney, July 2022 - November 2022 • "The Tricky World of 1-601
<br /> • Mentor, supervise and support staff attorneys and post--bar law clerks Waivers„, Qranee County
<br /> on both the CRP and ARP programs providing representation to Bar Association
<br /> unaccompanied minors and adults before EOIR, USCIS and the --"" --
<br /> California State Courts in Guardianship, Custody and Parentage Immigration Law
<br /> Section, Irvine, CA,
<br /> Proceedings. March 2079;
<br /> • Manage case load and represent unaccompanied minors before EOIR,
<br /> USCIS and the California State Courts. • "Immigration Options for
<br /> • Stay up to date on the rapidly changing immigration laws & policies. Abused lrr2rnigrants",
<br /> Staff Attorney, October 2021 -July 2022 S he phe rd's Door
<br /> (Domestic Violence
<br /> • Provided direct representation to Unaccompanied Children before the CA Resource Center) Open
<br /> State Courts in Guardianship, Custody and Parentage Proceedings. House, Pasadena, CA,
<br /> • Represented Unaccompanied Children before EOIR, USCIS and the Asylum April 2019;
<br /> Office in a variety of immigration matters including: affirmative asylum,
<br /> Special Immigrant Juvenile Status petitions and adjustment of status.
<br /> • Stayed up to date on rapidly changing immigration laws and policies and • "Current_Issues in
<br /> attend stakeholder meetings and trainings. Immigration Law", Bruin
<br /> • Provided group training for alternative forms of relief (U-visa CLE). Professionals (UCLA
<br /> Alumni Association) ,
<br /> HEATHER L. POOLED PC, Pasadena & Costa Mesa— Attorney Larsen 0'Brien
<br /> Downtown LA Office, July
<br /> September 2014-October 2021 (merged with SGG,LLP from May 2015 through May 2018) 2018.
<br /> • Provided direct representation to individuals before EOIR (Executive Office
<br /> of Immigration Review) proceedings (immigration court), including
<br /> defensive asylum, withholding of removal, bond hearings, Motions to
<br /> Reopen and 212(h) waivers. Appealed decisions to the BIA (Board of
<br /> Immigration Appeals) .
<br /> • Prepared, filed and represented individuals before USCIS in a variety of
<br /> immigration matters including: affirmative asylum, family-based
<br /> immigration applications, adjustment of status interviews, conditional
<br /> green card waivers, joint removal of conditions, VAWA (Violence Against
<br /> Women Act) petitions, inadmissibility waivers for unlawful presence,
<br /> misrepresentation, U visas, naturalization, Registry, SIJS (Special
<br /> Immigrant Juvenile Status), Parole in Place, and AAO Appeals.
<br /> • Conducted client intakes and assist senior management in business
<br /> development.
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