Donald K. Sheppard Partner, Immigration and Nationality Law
Contact Information
Telephone: (619) 230-0012
Education
J.D., New York Law School
B.B.A. in Economics, Marshall University
Bar Admissions
California state bar
U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Certifications
California state bar
Certified Specialist, Immigration and Nationality Law,
State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
Mr. Sheppard is a graduate of New York Law School where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. Prior to law school, Mr. Sheppard completed his undergraduate work in Economics at Marshall University, graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Mr. Sheppard also had minors in Communications and Accounting. Mr. Sheppard is admitted to practice law in the State of California, U.S. Court of Appeal (9th Circuit), and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. Mr. Sheppard moved from New York after graduating from Law School and began the practice of immigration and nationality law at the Law Offices of Jan Joseph Bejar, A PLC, in San Diego as an Attorney. Mr. Sheppard has also worked at Mark Fish & Associates in New York City. Mr. Sheppard's experience at both locations included employment-based immigration, family-based immigration and removal defense. He has also argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. In 2006 Mr. Sheppard joined the firm Larrabee | Mehlman | Albi | Coker LLP as an Associate. He was subsequently promoted to Senior Associate. During his experience, he specialized in immigration matters for corporate clients and was responsible for client management, including nonimmigrant matters such as H-1B, TN, E, H- 3, B-1, L-1, O and P visa classifications, as well as employment-based immigrant petitions, such as labor certifications, multinational executives/managers, extraordinary ability, outstanding researchers, and national interest waiver petitions.
Mr. Sheppard joined the firm Jacobs & Schlesinger LLP as a Partner in March 2009. His practice is focused on all aspects of employment-based and family-based immigration, as well as removal defense, naturalization, and assistance with consular issues. Mr. Sheppard has more than ten years of experience in immigration law and is certified as a Legal Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.
Awards- San Diego's Top Attorneys for Immigration, SD Metro Magazine, February 2011
- Continental Who's Who – Lifetime Member
- California State Bar Immigration and Nationality Law Advisory Commission
- American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
- San Diego County Bar Association
- Japan Society of San Diego and Greater Tijuana Area
- San Diego Chapter of Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)
- California State Bar Immigration and Nationality Law Advisory Commission
- Chair, USCIS Liaison Committee, San Diego Chapter of AILA, 2010/2011
- Member of AILA National Board of Governors for fiscal year 2009/2010
- Chair of San Diego Chapter of AILA for this fiscal year 2009/2010
- Vice-Chair of San Diego Chapter of AILA for fiscal year 2008/2009
- Secretary of San Diego Chapter of AILA for fiscal year 2007/2008
- Treasurer of San Diego Chapter of AILA for fiscal year 2006/2007
- Chair, Young Lawyers Division, San Diego Chapter of AILA, 2004/2005
- Co-Chair of the Planning Committee for the 20th Annual AILA California Chapters Conference
- Member of the Planning Committee for the 21st Annual AILA California Chapters Conference
- Volunteered with San Diego Organizing Project – provide free consultations at scheduled events
- New York City Rescue Mission – provided free legal advice and assisted in preparation of immigration related forms for individuals who were residing at the mission
- Mentor for the ABA Immigration Justice Project in San Diego, California
- Gemological Institute of America, Career Fair, Carlsbad, California, 2007 & 2008
- 20th Annual AILA California Chapters Conference, San Diego, California, November 2007, “Adjustment of Stats/Child State Protection Act”
- 21st Annual AILA California Chapters Conference, San Francisco, California, November 2008, “Nonimmigrant Visa Processing”
- 2010 AILA Annual Conference, June 2010, National Harbor, Maryland, “Capitol-izing on Allied Treatment: Special Treatment for Certain Countries (NAFTA, H-1B1, E-3)”
- 23rd Annual AILA California Chapters Conference, November 2010, Monterey, California, “The Shrinking Gap Between Adjustment and Removal – “The Moon is Down””
- 2011 AILA Annual Conference, June 2011, San Diego, California, “Hot Topics and Current Issues in the Admission of Business Travelers”
