AGG Adds Distinguished Immigration Attorney to Prominent, Decades-Old Global Mobility Practice
08/17/2021
AGG Adds Distinguished Immigration Attorney to Prominent, Decades-Old Global Mobility Practice
Arnall Golden Gregory (AGG) is pleased to announce that Anton Mertens has joined the firm as Of Counsel in its Atlanta office. Mertens brings more than 30 years of experience in immigration law to the firm with nearly ten years in family law. His extensive experience will bolster the firm’s significant immigration practice and extend its international capabilities.
“AGG has been expanding its representation of foreign direct investment in the U.S. for years. We represent foreign-owned businesses in the UK, Ireland, and Schengen territory, who are establishing and expanding operations across our nation,” said Teri Simmons, partner and chair of the International Immigration and Global Mobility practice and leader of the German Business team.
AGG’s Immigration and Global Mobility practice comprises a deep bench of multilingual legal professionals with proficiency in German, Dutch, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Hindi. This international team assists foreign businesses with global non-immigrant and immigrant visa processing, employment eligibility verification and visa compliance, M&A due diligence, import/export controls, white-collar criminal defense, and responding to government audits and investigations. The team’s German Business practice is backed by ten German speakers, and attorneys who hold dual citizenship and legal licenses in the U.S. and Germany.
The practice also provides government affairs representation in Washington, D.C., both before the U.S. Congress and federal regulatory agencies, and provides counsel and strategic advice to clients on immigration policy issues such as comprehensive immigration reform, the J-1 program, E-Verify, and international student visa issues.
“Anton’s 30 years of immigration experience in the international arena, as well as his fluency in Dutch and French adds significant strength to our very talented team of attorneys and paralegals, and expands our international reach, particularly into the Belgian market,” added Simmons. “I have known and highly respected Anton for many years and am so happy to be able to partner with him on a daily basis on immigration matters and on our mutual community initiatives for Sister Cities International and community cultural and business exchange initiatives.”
Born and raised in Brussels, Belgium, Mertens first came to America as a high school exchange student and became a U.S. Citizen in 1994. In his practice, he represents international businesses in immigration matters, including business visas and immigration options for large and small corporate clients, investor visas, and green card applications for executives, managers, and key employees. He also obtains visas and permanent resident status for family members and files for removal conditions on residence petitions, applications for renewal of green cards, and naturalizations.
“I have been impressed with AGG’s immigration work and Teri’s leadership. I look forward to drawing from the solid platform Teri created more than 30 years ago and providing seamless service to my clients,” said Mertens. “I am passionate about helping others immigrate to America, and I am confident that AGG’s platform will equip me with the ability and sophistication to continue to do the work I love to do,” he added.
AGG Adds Distinguished Immigration Attorney to Prominent, Decades-Old Global Mobility Practice
“AGG has been expanding its representation of foreign direct investment in the U.S. for years. We represent foreign-owned businesses in the UK, Ireland, and Schengen territory, who are establishing and expanding operations across our nation,” said Teri Simmons, partner and chair of the International Immigration and Global Mobility practice and leader of the German Business team.
AGG’s Immigration and Global Mobility practice comprises a deep bench of multilingual legal professionals with proficiency in German, Dutch, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Hindi. This international team assists foreign businesses with global non-immigrant and immigrant visa processing, employment eligibility verification and visa compliance, M&A due diligence, import/export controls, white-collar criminal defense, and responding to government audits and investigations. The team’s German Business practice is backed by ten German speakers, and attorneys who hold dual citizenship and legal licenses in the U.S. and Germany.
The practice also provides government affairs representation in Washington, D.C., both before the U.S. Congress and federal regulatory agencies, and provides counsel and strategic advice to clients on immigration policy issues such as comprehensive immigration reform, the J-1 program, E-Verify, and international student visa issues.
“Anton’s 30 years of immigration experience in the international arena, as well as his fluency in Dutch and French adds significant strength to our very talented team of attorneys and paralegals, and expands our international reach, particularly into the Belgian market,” added Simmons. “I have known and highly respected Anton for many years and am so happy to be able to partner with him on a daily basis on immigration matters and on our mutual community initiatives for Sister Cities International and community cultural and business exchange initiatives.”
Born and raised in Brussels, Belgium, Mertens first came to America as a high school exchange student and became a U.S. Citizen in 1994. In his practice, he represents international businesses in immigration matters, including business visas and immigration options for large and small corporate clients, investor visas, and green card applications for executives, managers, and key employees. He also obtains visas and permanent resident status for family members and files for removal conditions on residence petitions, applications for renewal of green cards, and naturalizations.
“I have been impressed with AGG’s immigration work and Teri’s leadership. I look forward to drawing from the solid platform Teri created more than 30 years ago and providing seamless service to my clients,” said Mertens. “I am passionate about helping others immigrate to America, and I am confident that AGG’s platform will equip me with the ability and sophistication to continue to do the work I love to do,” he added.
Want to read more law firm news?
For past editions of our weekly law firm news, click here.
Contact Our Recruiters Now!
