Lori T. Chesser
“She is one of the best-known immigration lawyers in the state.”
-Chambers USA, Reference Feedback
Lori Chesser is a preeminent immigration attorney and advocate. With a degree in finance, she initially practiced corporate law. Recognizing the need for immigration services in Iowa, she developed that practice and has worked primarily in immigration law for more than 20 years.
Lori assists employers, business owners and individuals as they navigate the complex U.S. immigration system. Her clients range from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies in sectors including healthcare, IT, insurance, agriculture, chemical, higher education, churches, and other non-profit entities.
The immigration process is often complicated and arduous for individuals and companies alike. When employers identify a foreign national as the best candidate for the job, they count on Lori’s guidance navigating the immigration maze. Lori has assisted organizations hiring scientists, investors, entrepreneurs, researchers, doctors, artists, religious workers, athletes, and other professionals to legally live and work in the United States. In addition to employers and their employees, she also represents entrepreneurs starting businesses in the U.S. and individuals sponsoring family members or wanting to naturalize.
One client recently provided this feedback, “I feel like I get top-notch really high-quality work from her; she's so knowledgeable about the industry and has ton of experience. She's good at helping with strategic planning and whether its implementing new policy or trying something new, she can really provide that expert opinion and advice. Her advice goes a long way."
Lori has experience and success with numerous aspects of immigration law including:
- H-1B
- L-1
- E-1 and E-2
- R-1
- O-1
- F-1 STEM EAD
- H-4 EAD
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- PERM
- Multi-national Manager EB1
- Outstanding Professor and Researcher EB1
- Extraordinary Ability EB1
- NIW (including for physicians)
- Schedule A, Group II
- Adjustment of Status
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- Consular Processing
- Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
- I-130
- Visa applications
- I-9 Compliance and Training
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Lori works collaboratively with other Davis Brown attorneys to answer her clients’ employment, tax, estate planning, corporate structure, and compliance questions that intersect with immigration law.
Immigration Advocacy
"The 'preeminent lawyer' in the immigration field"
-Chambers USA Feedback
Lori is a staunch advocate for her clients and all immigrants in the community.
- Serves on numerous AILA national committees to both liaise with the government and help form advocacy strategy
- Helps organize and maintain local and state-wide grassroots advocacy for positive immigration law reform. She currently chairs the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Immigration Council. She is past chair of the American Immigration Council Board of Trustees.
- Donates hundreds of hours of advocacy and pro bono representation
- Co-founded the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Iowa/Nebraska Chapter, and served as its first Chair
- Advocated for the opening of the Des Moines Suboffice of the Immigration Service so Iowa residents would not need to travel to Omaha for their immigration applications
AWARDS & HONORS
“She is knowledgeable, responsive and proactive.”
-Chambers USA, Reference Feedback
- AV Preeminent™ rated by Martindale-Hubbell. The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills, and ethical standards.
- Lori was also awarded a Client Distinction Award, an honor given to attorneys who demonstrate superior communications ability, responsiveness, quality of service, and value for money as voted on by clients.
- Chambers USA, Labor & Employment: Immigration, Iowa Ranked Band 1, 2020. Lori has been ranked Band 1 for several years.
- The Best Lawyers in America© 2021, Immigration Law. Lori has been ranked since 2003.
- Best Lawyers® 2020 Immigration Law “Lawyer of the Year” in the Des Moines Metro
- A. Arthur Davis Distinguished Community Leadership Award, Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute, 2015
- President’s Commendation, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 2012
- Immigrant Champion Award, Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit, 2011
- Footsteps Award, Diocese of Des Moines, for work in social action, 2009
- Business Record’s Women of Influence Award, 2008
- Mary Louise Smith Human Rights Award, Des Moines Human Rights Commission, 2007
- Business Record’s Forty Under 40, Class of 2002
- Pro Bono Award, Iowa State and Polk County Bar Associations, 1999
PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS
Lori is a frequent local and national speaker at continuing education and advocacy programs on immigration issues. Recent activities include:
- Immigration from the Employer’s Perspective: Avoiding Jail, Debarment and Other Calamities, Iowa State Bar Association Annual Meeting, June 2019.
- I-9s in the Age of Increased Enforcement: Walking the Tightrope, Iowa Employment Conference, April 2019.
- Immigration and Employment: An Update, Davis Brown Spring Seminar, March 2019.
- Preparing for Who Could Show Up at Your Door: Advanced Issues in Worksite Enforcement, Panel Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association MidWinter Conference, January 2019.
- Minesweeping: Issues in Adjustment of Status, University of Texas Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law, October 2018.
- Hot Topics and Emerging Issues in ICE Audits and USCIS/FDNS Investigations, University of Texas Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law, October 2018.
- Hot Topics in Immigration Law, Iowa State Bar Association Corporate Counsel and Trade Regulation Seminar, October 2018.
- I-9s: The Why, Who, When, Where, What and How, Iowa Employment Conference, April 2018.
- Someone’s Knocking at the Door: Are you ready for increased immigration compliance?, Davis Brown Spring Seminar, April 2018.
- DACA and Immigration Reform, Up Close, KCCI, January 2018.
- Public Policy Issue Forum: Immigration Reform, Panel Member, Greater Des Moines Partnership, December 2017.
- Hire American: Immigration Law for Employment Lawyers, Iowa State Bar Association Seminar, November 2017.
-
Recruiting Foreign Workers, Iowa Employment Conference, September 2017.
- Immigrants in the Workforce, panel discussion, Iowa Ideas Conference, September 2017.
- Welcoming Cities Resolution, panel discussion with Drake University, Diocese of Des Moines, LULAC, Al Exito, American Friends Service Committee, July 2017.
- Surviving the Fire Swamp: I-9s, immigration-related anti-discrimination and unexpected challenges of unusual size, Iowa Employment Conference, April 2017.
- I-9 Compliance: How to Prepare for the New Enforcement Focus, with Holly Logan, Iowa Employment Conference, April 2017.
- Navigating the Executive Orders on Immigration, Iowa State University, February 2017.
- Immigration Red Flags, Organization of Bar Investigators Annual Conference, October 2016.
- Immigrant Visa Case Scenarios, Iowa/Nebraska AILA Chapter CLE, September 2016.
- Non-immigration Visa Case Scenarios, Iowa/Nebraska AILA Chapter CLE, September 2016.
- Partnering with Your Corporate Immigration Clients for Success: Practice/Case Management Models for the Employment-Based Immigration Practitioner, AILA Annual Conference, June 2016.
- De-Mystifying the Immigration Process, Iowa Society of Healthcare Attorneys Spring Conference, May 2016.
- Immigration Policy Update, Friday AM Rotary Club, West Des Moines, February 23, 2016.
- An Immigration Carol, with apologies to Charles Dickens, Greater Des Moines Committee, October 2015.
- Employment Challenges Faced by Immigrants and Businesses in Iowa, Leadership Iowa, Buena Vista University, April 2015.
- H-1B and U.S. Permanent Resident Petitions: What You Need to Know, Iowa State University, February 2015.
- A Church Without Borders, Pius X Catholic Church, January 2015.
- Driver’s Licenses for Unauthorized Immigrants: Why it Matters, Iowa International Center Dialogue Series, August 2014.
- Immigration Reform, Lori Chesser and Des Moines, Insight on Business with Michael Libbie Radio Show, February 2014.
- Area Leaders Call for Immigration Reform, Business Record, February 2014.
COMMUNITY
Lori is active in the Des Moines community and nationally, currently serving as Chair of the Global DSM: Talent Acquisition Strategy Initiative for the Greater Des Moines Partnership.
She also chairs the Immigration Council for the Partnership. On a national level, Lori currently serves on the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Worksite Verification Liaison Committee. She has served in many capacities in AILA, including the USCIS Liaison Committee, Nebraska Service Center Liaison Committee, and the Immigration Reform Committee, among others. Lori also served as chair of the American Immigration Council Board of Trustees
Lori’s history of service includes Nexus Business Women’s Executive Alliance (president 2012-2013), Polk County Women Attorneys (Past President), Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute (1993 class member), Iowa International Center (President ‘07-’08), and Catholic Charities (President ‘06).
Memberships
Alma Maters
Bar Admissions
Articles