Burr Forman McNair’s Mellissa Azallion Honored with National Law Journal Employment Trailblazer Award
03/08/19
Burr Forman McNair’s Mellissa Azallion Honored with National Law Journal Employment Trailblazer Award
Summary: Burr Forman McNair announces that partner Melissa Azallion has been named to the National Law Journal’s list of Employment Law Trailblazers. The award annually recognizes legal professionals.
Burr Forman McNair announces that partner Melissa Azallion has been named to the National Law Journal’s list of Employment Law Trailblazers. The award annually recognizes legal professionals who have made significant marks on the practice, policy and technological advancements in their sector through new types of strategies.
“This prestigious recognition from the National Law Journal is further affirmation of Melissa’s innovative and proactive approaches to create game-changing opportunities for clients,” said Carolinas managing partner David Tigges. "We are proud to call her our partner and congratulate her on this honor."
A true trailblazer for struggling school systems, Azallion implemented a strategic model to allow school districts unable to find qualified teachers in specialized disciplines such as special education and foreign language immersion programs to hire qualified foreign nationals under an exemption that bypasses limits on the number of available H-1B visas for employment. Azallion recognized that school districts offering programs in conjunction with colleges and universities may be exempt from the H-1B visa cap under a Department of Homeland Security regulation that took effect in January 2017. The approach has proved to be a win-win for students and employers by furthering educational opportunities and providing an expanded pool of specialized teachers for hard-to-fill positions.
Azallion has substantial experience assisting U.S. and international companies in sponsoring foreign nationals for visas and green cards including labor certifications, national interest waivers and extraordinary alien petitions, among others. Azallion’s approach to practicing law is to encourage clients to be proactive to avoid trouble down the road. Drawing on her human resources experience, Azallion has conducted multiple on-site training sessions for clients and community groups in the past year, covering a diverse range of employment topics including immigration compliance, discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
Azallion is based in Burr Forman McNair’s Hilton Head office, where she leads the immigration team and serves as a partner in the Labor & Employment group. She brings more than 20 years of experience on business immigration and labor and employment law issues to her clients. She previously worked as a human resources administrator for the University of Dayton, where she was responsible for writing and directing the university’s Affirmative Action Plan.
“It is such an honor to be able to work every day in a field that allows me to help forge solutions for employees and employers, alike,” said Azallion. “I am humbled to have been bestowed this honor by my peers and colleagues and hope to inspire others to look for ‘trailblazing’ solutions in their work.”
Azallion earned her bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and her law degree from Capital University.
Burr Forman McNair’s Mellissa Azallion Honored with National Law Journal Employment Trailblazer Award
Summary: Burr Forman McNair announces that partner Melissa Azallion has been named to the National Law Journal’s list of Employment Law Trailblazers. The award annually recognizes legal professionals.
Burr Forman McNair announces that partner Melissa Azallion has been named to the National Law Journal’s list of Employment Law Trailblazers. The award annually recognizes legal professionals who have made significant marks on the practice, policy and technological advancements in their sector through new types of strategies.“This prestigious recognition from the National Law Journal is further affirmation of Melissa’s innovative and proactive approaches to create game-changing opportunities for clients,” said Carolinas managing partner David Tigges. "We are proud to call her our partner and congratulate her on this honor."
A true trailblazer for struggling school systems, Azallion implemented a strategic model to allow school districts unable to find qualified teachers in specialized disciplines such as special education and foreign language immersion programs to hire qualified foreign nationals under an exemption that bypasses limits on the number of available H-1B visas for employment. Azallion recognized that school districts offering programs in conjunction with colleges and universities may be exempt from the H-1B visa cap under a Department of Homeland Security regulation that took effect in January 2017. The approach has proved to be a win-win for students and employers by furthering educational opportunities and providing an expanded pool of specialized teachers for hard-to-fill positions.
Azallion has substantial experience assisting U.S. and international companies in sponsoring foreign nationals for visas and green cards including labor certifications, national interest waivers and extraordinary alien petitions, among others. Azallion’s approach to practicing law is to encourage clients to be proactive to avoid trouble down the road. Drawing on her human resources experience, Azallion has conducted multiple on-site training sessions for clients and community groups in the past year, covering a diverse range of employment topics including immigration compliance, discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
Azallion is based in Burr Forman McNair’s Hilton Head office, where she leads the immigration team and serves as a partner in the Labor & Employment group. She brings more than 20 years of experience on business immigration and labor and employment law issues to her clients. She previously worked as a human resources administrator for the University of Dayton, where she was responsible for writing and directing the university’s Affirmative Action Plan.
“It is such an honor to be able to work every day in a field that allows me to help forge solutions for employees and employers, alike,” said Azallion. “I am humbled to have been bestowed this honor by my peers and colleagues and hope to inspire others to look for ‘trailblazing’ solutions in their work.”
Azallion earned her bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and her law degree from Capital University.
