Jennifer M. Morrissey

Jennifer M. Morrissey is a partner at Black Helterline LLP and a nationally recognized immigration attorney with more than 20 years of experience representing employers, individuals, and families in complex immigration matters. Her practice encompasses both business and family-based immigration, with particular experience advising employers in the manufacturing, engineering, technology, telecommunications, consumer products, and education sectors. Jennifer works closely with human resources professionals, business leaders, and in-house stakeholders to develop immigration strategies, navigate compliance obligations, and secure temporary work authorization and permanent residence for key personnel. She is known for her strategic advocacy, pragmatic problem-solving, and ability to guide clients through challenging and evolving immigration issues with clarity.

Personal

Fluent in Spanish, Jennifer brings both linguistic and cultural fluency to her immigration practice. Before entering the legal profession, she studied English at the University of Iowa, where she was selected to participate in the undergraduate Iowa Writers’ Workshop (Poetry), and later served as a Peace Corps Volunteer. These experiences continue to shape her thoughtful, client-centered approach to advocacy and problem-solving.

Business Immigration Focus

• Advises multinational corporations, emerging companies, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations on U.S. business immigration strategy and compliance.
• Represents employers across the technology, manufacturing, engineering, telecommunications, consumer products, and education sectors in employment-based immigration matters.
• Handles a broad range of nonimmigrant visa matters, including H-1B, L-1, TN, E-3, O-1, and other employment-based classifications for executives, managers, engineers, researchers, and highly skilled professionals.
• Develops long-term immigration strategies for employers, including permanent residence sponsorship, workforce planning, and I-9 compliance.

Family Immigration Focus

• Represents individuals and families in family-based immigration, adjustment of status, consular processing, naturalization, and citizenship matters.
• Represents and advises clients on complex immigration matters involving removal defense, asylum, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), U nonimmigrant status, Special Immigrant Juvenile classification, and other humanitarian forms of relief.
• Serves as Special Assistant Attorney General for the Oregon Department of Justice on complex immigration matters.

• Former Chair, Oregon Chapter, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
• Executive Committee Member, Oregon Chapter, AILA
• Frequent speaker on business and family immigration law developments

• Chambers USA, Band 1, Immigration (Highest Ranking)
• Gerald H. Robinson Excellence in Advocacy Award
• Portland Monthly, Light a Fire Rapid Reaction Award (2017), for securing a groundbreaking travel ban waiver that enabled an infant to receive life-saving heart surgery in the United States.

Jennifer maintains a long-standing commitment to pro bono service and immigration advocacy. She regularly works with community organizations, educational institutions, employer groups, and professional associations to address emerging immigration issues and expand access to legal services for underserved populations.