Managing Partner Michael Wildes, along with Attorneys Caroline Gabela-Monteiro and Josh Wildes, are pleased to announce that Wildes & Weinberg P.C. has successfully secured O-1 and O-2 visa classifications on behalf of Jagex, the renowned developer behind the RuneScape franchise. These approvals enabled key members of the Jagex team to travel to the United States to produce one of the company’s most ambitious live events to date.
Jagex hosted its largest-ever Deadman Mode: All Stars event at the Rosemont Theatre in Chicago, Illinois, marking a major 25th Anniversary milestone for the RuneScape community and its growing global esports presence. This highly anticipated event brought together top players, dedicated fans, and the personalities who have helped shape the game’s enduring success.
The approvals were obtained on behalf of many of the J-Mods—the moderators, developers, and personalities behind RuneScape—whose presence was essential to the event’s production, fan engagement, and overall success. Their participation ensured an authentic and immersive experience for attendees, bridging the gap between the game’s creators and its passionate player base. Wildes & Weinberg P.C. was proud to support Jagex in bringing this landmark event to the United States and facilitating the continued expansion of international gaming and esports collaboration.
*Pictured: Josh Wildes at Old School RuneScape’s Deadman Mode All Stars Event in Chicago.
Wildes & Weinberg was founded in 1960 by Senior Partner, Leon Wildes. He was best known for his successful representation of former Beatle John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono as they fought the Nixon Administration during a five year bitterly contested Deportation Proceeding. Nearly three quarters of a century later, the firm continues to concentrate its practice in all aspects of U.S. immigration and nationality law, servicing the immigration requirements of prominent American and International firms, banks, industrial, financial, and manufacturing concerns, as well as law firms in connection with the personnel needs of their foreign national employees.
In addition, the firm has a distinguished clientele and has done substantial immigration work for performing artists, directors, writers, models, actors/actresses, athletes, fine artists, art dealers, curators, and literary agents. Most notable was Leon Wildes’ successful representation of former Beatle John Lennon and his artist wife, Yoko Ono in their deportation proceedings, the basis of which has inspired legislation, and has been portrayed in films, plays, and literary works worldwide. Some of the firm’s other distinguished clients include scholar Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (z”l), as well as soccer icon Pele and Karim Benzema, Master Chef Jean-Georges, musicians Joe Cocker, Sinead O’ Connor and Boy George, as well as First Lady Melania Trump and her family.
Michael Wildes, the firm’s Managing Partner, is also currently serving his fifth term as Mayor of Englewood, New Jersey, is the author of Safe Haven in America: Battles to Open the Golden Door (which draws on over a quarter of a century of his practice in the immigration field), is an Adjunct Professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, and serves as Counsel to Lincoln Center and several international/corporate law firms.
Josh Wildes, who played Old School RuneScape growing up, is a third-generation immigration lawyer at the firm who previously worked for the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). He also handles many of the firm’s esports and gaming clients.
Despite difficulties currently being encountered in dealing with U.S. immigration authorities, the firm has maintained an extraordinary track record for success in its cases. The firm’s litigation group has expanded its efforts in filing Mandamus Actions and other Actions in Federal Courts throughout the nation.
In addition, Wildes & Weinberg’s multilingual staff is spread throughout its offices in New York City, Englewood, New Jersey, Miami, Florida, and by appointment only in Los Angeles, California and Tel Aviv, Israel, and are known for their experience and special expertise in processing each foreign national’s case with nothing less than the highest level of professionalism.
For more information on our firm please visit www.wildeslaw.com or contact Michael Wildes at michael@wildeslaw.com.