By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Christian Dallman is a partner in Fragomen’s Troy office and manages its daily operations. He has comprehensive experience partnering with clients to develop strategic solutions to immigration challenges; and represents clients of various sizes in a range of industries, including automotive, manufacturing, athletics and information technology.
Dallman is a frequent speaker and writer on emerging immigration topics that impact the management of corporate immigration programs. He has addressed board meetings regarding immigration developments and adjudication trends as well as prepared petitions for a wide range of high-profile applicants, including CEOs of publicly traded companies and well-known professional athletes.
A graduate of Tulane University’s Murphy Institute of Political Economy and its School of Law, Dallman gives back to the immigrant community through providing pro bono legal services to individual clients.
Residence: Clarkston, in Oakland County.
How would you describe your practice?
As a firm, Fragomen is the leading single-focus provider of immigration guidance and support worldwide. With over 4,800 professionals and staff in more than 55 offices around the world, Fragomen provides immigration services in more than 170 countries. Here in the U.S., we partner closely with our corporate clients and give them the strategies and tools to recruit and retain the best and brightest candidates from around the world.
What would surprise people about your job?
I do not go to court. Instead, the vast majority of my time is spent counseling clients on strategies that can maximize their U.S. immigration programs and working with Fragomen’s Troy-based teams to ensure they are providing the best possible client service.
Why did you become a lawyer?
I saw law as an optimal way to use my skillset to serve the community.
Why did you choose this area of law?
Two reasons. First, I wanted to help individuals who are seeking to live and work in the U.S. and be a part of their immigration journeys. Second, as my practice focused mainly on business immigration, the field provided a way for me to apply my interest in business and economics within a corporate legal environment.
Who are your law role models?
I’ve been fortunate to have multiple mentors at Fragomen who have demonstrated techniques that facilitate best-in-class client service and effective office management.
What advice do you have for someone entering law school?
Pursue law school with an open mind, particularly with respect to the fields in which you may seek to specialize. When I first entered law school, I never imagined I would be practicing business immigration law, but I truly believe this is where I am meant to be.
What have been your proudest moments as a lawyer?
Three come to mind:
One was when I won a pro bono asylum case on behalf of a Sudanese woman who had suffered unimaginable harm in her home country due to her political views. While this case was outside my typical experience in corporate immigration law, it was extremely rewarding to help secure my client’s future in the U.S.
During my time at Fragomen’s Chicago office, I oversaw the preparation and submission of thousands of H-1B Cap petitions during a single H-1B Cap Drive (our equivalent to an accountant’s tax season). This required management of a multi-jurisdictional project team working towards a common goal and allowed me to hone my team-building skills.
Finally, in 2018 I was selected to manage Fragomen’s Troy office. This role has given me a unique opportunity to apply my legal and managerial experience to oversee a business immigration practice with a particular focus on the automotive industry.
What do you do when not working?
My wife and I have four kids: two play high-level hockey; one plays travel soccer; and one is just starting soccer. When I’m not at work, I’m usually cheering on our athletes.
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