Managing Partner Michael Wildes is pleased to announce that Wildes & Weinberg P.C. has secured O-1 Extraordinary Ability visa classification on behalf of Ms. Marie Ann Marks, an internationally renowned executive in location-based themed entertainment development.
Ms. Marks has established herself as an individual of extraordinary ability in the industry and by virtue of her accomplishments, which are detailed below, has risen to the very top of her field of endeavor. Ms. Marks has had a prolific career working with some of the biggest names in the themed entertainment industry in the U.K., Spain, UAE, Malaysia, South Korea, and the United States. Ms. Marks has established a firm standing and international acclaim as a business leader in the development of major theme parks and attractions who is respected for her excellent brand development, entertainment production, managerial leadership, international knowledge base, and eye for design. She has also received distinguished awards in business and mentioned in media articles for her achievements. It has been our Firm’s honor to work with and represent Ms. Marks.
In order to qualify for an O-1 visa, which allows individuals of extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, athletics, education or business to live and work in the United States, a foreign national must provide adequate documentation to demonstrate that he/she has sustained national or international acclaim in their field.
In addition, the individual must provide substantial evidence to prove that he/she meets three of the evidence categories defined by statute, as well as a written advisory opinion from a labor union or relevant peer group. The O-1 visa applicant must also show that he/she has an offer of employment in the United States to work in his/her field of expertise (or several offers of employment from multiple sources, along with a third-party Agent to petition on the individual’s behalf and connect him/her to the multiple employers).
Founded in 1960 by Michael’s father, Leon Wildes, whose best-known accomplishment was his successful representation of John Lennon in his widely publicized deportation proceedings, the circumstances of which have inspired several films and documentaries, Wildes & Weinberg specializes exclusively in the practice of U.S. immigration and nationality law. More than fifty nine years since its inception the firm continues to serve a distinguished domestic and international clientele and covers all areas of U.S. Immigration Law, including employment and investment-based immigration, work permits, permanent residence for qualified individuals, family-based immigration, asylum applications and all temporary and permanent type visas.
In addition to running a highly successful immigration law practice, Michael was recently sworn-in as Mayor of Englewood, New Jersey, has just released his newly authored book, 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. Moreover, Michael is internationally renowned for his successful representation of distinguished individuals and corporate clients such as performing artists, directors, writers, models, actors/actresses, athletes, race car drivers, fine artists, art dealers, curators, musicians, photographers, stylists, and literary agents. Some of the firm’s other distinguished clients include several Miss Universe winners as well as soccer icon Pele, Master Chef Jean-Georges and First Lady Melania Trump and her family.
Today, the firm of Wildes & Weinberg, maintains offices in New York City, New York, Englewood, New Jersey, Miami, Florida, and a presence in Los Angeles, California and continues to maintain its stellar reputation in the field of U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law.
For more information on the O-1 visa category, please visit our Immigration 101 page or contact Michael Wildes at michael@wildeslaw.com.