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Mercedes Badia-Tavas, Chicago Attorney
OVERVIEW

M. Mercedes Badia-Tavas

Partner

Chicago

One N. Wacker Drive
Suite 4400
Chicago, IL 60606-2833

Washington, D.C.

555 12th Street N.W.
Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20004-1275

P 312-214-8313

F 312-759-5646

Mercedes Badia-Tavas navigates the complex U.S. immigration system for Fortune 500 companies in multiple sectors including healthcare and finance, along with small businesses, nonprofits and individuals. With 30-plus years of exclusive immigration law experience, she guides clients through complex employment visas requirements, permanent residency applications processes, and government compliance needs with significant implications for companies and employees.

OVERVIEW

Mercedes Badia-Tavas navigates the complex U.S. immigration system for Fortune 500 companies in multiple sectors including healthcare and finance, along with small businesses, nonprofits and individuals. With 30-plus years of exclusive immigration law experience, she guides clients through complex employment visas requirements, permanent residency applications processes, and government compliance needs with significant implications for companies and employees.

As a Cuban immigrant, Mercedes brings personal insight and cultural sensitivity to her practice. Her tenacity and commitment allow her to decipher sophisticated immigration issues effectively. She addresses client needs with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by both employers and families. For companies, she enjoys developing comprehensive strategies for global mobility needs of personnel.  to the U.S.

Mercedes facilitates entry visas and work permits for U.S. transferees to various countries. She prepares a wide range of employment-based immigration petitions, ranging from a variety of temporary visas in the “alphabet soup” of U.S. visas (B, E, F, H, L, O, P, Q, R) to PERM labor certification applications and NIW to EB-5 Investor applications. Before U.S. federal agencies, she represents clients with cases involving I-485 Adjustment of Status, consular processing abroad, and naturalization to become U.S. citizens. She helps clients navigate national interest exceptions to travel bans and oversees global immigration matters for foreign assignments.

In the arts and entrepreneurship sectors, Mercedes secures visas for Oscar-winning producers, champion athletes, world-renowned musicians and startup founders.

Professional and Community Involvement

Executive board member and past chair, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Chicago Chapter

Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Congressional Advocacy

Member, Department of State and Customs and Border Protection government liaison committees

Member, American Bar Association International Section

Member, Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois 

Member, UNO Metropolitan Leadership Institute of Chicago

Sponsor, Professional Women’s Club of Chicago (PWCC)

Member, Barnes & Thornburg Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Chicago Office

Member, Lake Forest College Board of Trustees, August, 2021

Honors

Chambers USA, 2024

The Best Lawyers in America, 2016-2025

Chicago's Notable Minority Lawyers, Crain's Chicago Business, 2018

EXPERIENCE

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INSIGHTS & EVENTS
Publications
  • Co-author, “Top Questions You Should Ask Yourself (and Your Client) Before Submitting an Application for a National Interest Exemption”, updated, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2021
  • Contributing author, several articles in various volumes of AILA’s Immigration & Nationality Law Handbooks, including articles on “Employer Sanctions,” “Visa Options for Trainees” and “Proper Uses of the B-1 Visa”
  • Co-author, “Snapping Back to a New Normal: Where Will U.S. Immigration Go Under the Biden Administration?” Illinois Manufacturers Association
  • Author, “Momeni vs Chernoff and Related Case Law: Can Visa Waiver Clients Still Marry and Adjust?,” Immigration and Nationality Handbook Law Handbook, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2009-2010 Edition
  • Author, “To B or Not to B,” Immigration and Nationality Law Handbook, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2007- 2008 Edition
  • Author, “Employer Sanctions,” Immigration and Nationality Law Handbook, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2003-2004 Edition, Vol. 2
  • Author, “Observations on Argentine Arbitration," American Review of International Arbitration, Parker School of Comparative and International Law, Columbia University, New York, NY, 1996
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