TIMOTHY PAYNE joined the firm in 1995 and leads the firm's Immigration practice. His practice focuses primarily on temporary and permanent residence processing for executive transferees, specialized knowledge workers, and other professionals. In addition to handling immigration filings, he advises clients on immigration policy, compliance, and best practice matters. He regularly represents clients in a wide range of industries, including information technology, banking, consulting, engineering, medical products, and manufacturing. He also provides immigration assistance to hospitals, universities, research organizations, and other non-profit companies. Over the years he has helped clients navigate through the full range of business related nonimmigrant visa options, including B, E, H, J, L, O, and TN visas. Timothy helps foreign national physicians, outstanding professors and researchers, and individuals with extraordinary ability find the most efficient and cost effective path to live and work in the United States. As entrepreneurs and investors look to start up new U.S. ventures, Timothy helps to devise strategies to ensure the smooth transfer of international personnel under the L-1, E-1, and E-2. He also assists wealthy investors seeking permanent residence through the EB-5 immigrant investor program. In the wake of mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate changes, Timothy partners with the firm's corporate and litigation practices in performing due diligence related to the continued employment and sponsorship of foreign national employees. Over the past 10 years, Timothy has been a regular speaker on business immigration issues, and he has been ranked by Chambers USA for Immigration in Illinois (2024).