CIP Partner

Gina Sales-Cengiz

JD, Golden Gate University Law School
BA, University of California, Davis

Gina brings more than a decade of business immigration experience to Corporate Immigration Partners, having served as a senior paralegal for leading immigration law firms before dedicating herself to law school. Gina is experienced in handling all types of non-immigrant and immigrant visa petitions and applications in supervising case assignments, production, document review, and status reporting. Gina enjoys building solid and sustainable relationships with global mobility teams through annual town hall forums and quarterly onsite presentations to HR professionals, managers, recruiters, and foreign nationals. As a respected leader in corporate immigration, Gina also frequently speaks at industry events. She recently presented a webcast with The Knowledge Group entitled, “A Comprehensive Guide to ICE I-9 Audits: What Employers Need to Know and Do.”

CIP Partner

Joy Ang-Pinlac

JD, Penn. State University, Dickinson Law
BA, New York University

Joy brings over 15 years of US immigration experience. Joy’s unique background encompasses an impressive range of diverse experience. She has worked at both large corporate immigration firms and smaller boutique full-service immigration firms specializing in employment-based and family-based immigration matters. Joy has managed accounts for multinational corporations including start-ups and Fortune 100 companies, specifically in the high-tech industry. Joy’s breadth and depth of knowledge allows her to provide strategic counsel on employment-based immigrant and nonimmigrant visa matters. She also advises corporate clients on complex immigration issues and developing compliant immigration programs.

Senior Counsel

Cindy Scribe

JD, University of San Francisco School of Law
BA, University of California at Davis

Cindy is a California State Bar Certified Specialist in Immigration & Nationality Law and has counseled employers and individuals on complex immigration processes for over 20 years. She assists clients with immigration strategy and planning and advises corporations regarding their workforce immigration needs. Cindy is focused on providing white-glove service while bringing forth the very best outcome for her clients. She strives to offer the same exceptional services and advice to all clients regardless of size.

Cindy has represented clients before the USCIS Asylum Office and in proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) Immigration Court and Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). She proudly gives back to the community through pro bono representation. She has lived overseas and studied French, Japanese, and Arabic.

Supervising Attorney

Frank Fogelbach

JD, Tulane University Law School
BS, Loyola Marymount University

Frank has over nine years of experience providing counsel to small, medium, large, and Fortune 100 companies on all aspects of their immigration programs. He has extensive experience with all nonimmigrant matters, PERM labor certification, immigrant visa petitions, RFE responses, and AAO appeals.

Frank is known for his high-touch service and careful handling of high-visibility matters. His clients have been employers in a wide range of industries, including high technology, healthcare, financial services, research institutions and universities, automotive, professional sports teams, and art galleries, to name a few. Frank helps companies create and enhance large-scale immigration protocols and procedures while working closely with internal global mobility teams. As a supervising attorney at CIP, he serves as a leader and mentor to other immigration professionals. Frank is licensed to practice law in California and New York.

Supervising Attorney

Catherine Gillespie

JD, University of California, Hastings College of the Law
BA, University of California, Berkeley

Catherine has over six years of experience with CIP, managing multiple corporate accounts in several industries. She guides clients on program management and compliance and supervises a team of attorneys and paralegals preparing a high volume of nonimmigrant and immigrant visa petitions. Catherine brings a unique and valuable perspective to her immigration practice, having also served as an Asylum Officer and an Immigration Services Officer at USCIS in San Francisco.

As a 2009 Community Service Award recipient from the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Volunteer Legal Services Program, Catherine’s career consistently demonstrates a commitment to and passion for giving back. Catherine began her legal career in the nonprofit world as a law clerk for the AIDS Legal Referral Panel. She served a three-year term on the Board of Directors for the Eviction Defense Collaborative.

Supervising Attorney

Dmitri Pikman

JD, University of California, Hastings College of the Law
BA, University of California, Los Angeles

Dmitri represents clients in multiple industries and manages a team providing services on the full range of business immigration matters. He is also passionate about pro bono work and receives referrals from the AIDS Legal Referral Panel and the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights. Before joining CIP, Dmitri served as a Staff Attorney for the AIDS Legal Referral Panel, providing direct civil legal assistance, representation, conducting outreach, and training. He was also a Reference Librarian for the San Francisco Law Library and served on the Board of Directors of the Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom. Dmitri currently serves as the LGBT Co-Coordinator for the AILA NorCal Advisory Council.

Supervising Attorney

Marco Satala

JD, Boston College Law School
BA, The Ohio State University

Marco has been practicing immigration law for over seven years and has served as a law clerk in the field while pursuing law school. He counsels employers ranging from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies in the technology, mining, healthcare, biomedical, and gaming industries. Marco enjoys finding creative ways to ensure companies obtain the best possible talent and turning around denied cases with a solutions-oriented approach.

Before launching his immigration law career, Marco served as a Public Policy Director Assistant for the Ohio Commission of Hispanic/Latino Affairs and interned for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Marco is the son of Polish and Chilean immigrants, which motivates him to help others find their path into the US with a sense of empathy and understanding.

Supervising Attorney

Peter Bade

JD, Santa Clara University School of Law
BA, University of California, Los Angeles

With over ten years of experience practicing US immigration law, Peter has served as a Senior Associate at several large immigration law firms in California. He has in-depth knowledge of the full range of business immigration legal matters. He has counseled numerous Fortune 500 clients, small companies, and startups in various industries, including software, financial technology, biotechnology, e-commerce, banking, arts/entertainment, and sports, as well as non-profit educational institutions. Peter’s pro bono experience has included volunteering at local naturalization clinics through Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach and the East Bay Naturalization Collaborative.

Supervising Attorney

Ryan Harris

JD, University of California, Hastings College of the Law
BA, Arizona State University

Ryan began his immigration law career more than 15 years ago as a paralegal with a renowned immigration law firm. Ryan has been admitted to practice for over eight years and has represented many clients, from multinational employers with large foreign national populations to small, developing startups. His practice has been primarily focused on nonimmigrant visa issues and complex USCIS and Consular adjudications that require innovative strategic approaches. He also guides clients on options for permanent residence sponsorship and general compliance issues. Ryan has also worked with the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project and various other Bay Area NGOs to defend immigrants’ rights outside of the business context.

Attorney

Calen Correll

JD, University of San Francisco School of Law
BA, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Calen has been with CIP for more than three years, helping employers and individuals with all types of nonimmigrant and immigrant matters. He has a strong history of success with Request for Evidence responses and motions to reopen and reconsider, as well as J-1 waiver cases. Calen is also committed to pro bono service, guiding clients on U visas, Parole in Place, and 245(i) cases. Before joining CIP, Calen served as a law clerk for a multi-practice firm in El Paso, Texas, and interned at the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (formerly the International Institute of the Bay Area).

Attorney

Judy Wong

JD, Golden Gate University, School of Law
BA, University of California, Davis

Judy focuses her practice on advising companies on US employment-based immigration law and assisting applicants with family-based immigration matters and naturalization. Judy is experienced in conducting comprehensive analyses of cases to ensure clients meet the applicable visa requirements, including compliance with immigration rules, regulations, and policies. She works closely with clients/applicants to ensure their complete understanding of the visa process. Before joining CIP, Judy worked at large and boutique-sized immigration law firms, managing a diverse immigration caseload. She provided legal advice and strategy on nonimmigrant visa petitions and permanent residency applications to corporate clients, including startups and Fortune 500 companies. Judy is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and serves as Media Co-Liaison on the Advisory Council for AILA’s Northern California Chapter.

Attorney

Karla Jean Bacayan

JD, Golden Gate University School of Law
BA, University of California, Irvine

With over seven years of experience as an immigration attorney, Karla guides corporate clients on immigration program strategy. She oversees the preparation and filing of the full range of employment-based immigration petitions and applications. Before joining CIP, Karla was counsel at one of the Bay Area’s largest immigration law firms. In addition to her experience in immigration law, Karla has worked as an intern for the Oakland City Attorney’s office and a Global Forum on HIV Prevention.

Attorney

Lorianne Cercenia

JD, Golden Gate University School of Law
LLM, Golden Gate University School of Law
BS, summa cum laude, Arizona State University

Lorianne has more than 12 years of experience in business immigration. Before and while attending law school, she worked as a paralegal for some of the largest immigration firms. Lorianne represents clients ranging from small to mid-sized companies, guiding them on the full range of nonimmigrant and immigrant matters. Lorianne was born on a military base in Okinawa, Japan, grew up in Alaska, and recently spent two years living in Estonia with her family.

Attorney

Meghan O’Keefe

JD, University of San Francisco School of Law
BA, University of the Pacific

Meghan has worked in corporate immigration since 2014 and received her law degree in 2018. She supports various clients from start-ups through enterprises in multiple industries, including technology, online services, life sciences, manufacturing, and finance. In addition to managing complex immigration processes and general immigration matters, Meghan supports employees through rapidly changing global and domestic travel policies. She also guides employers on policies and procedures for their immigration programs. Understanding that knowledge is critical, Meghan prioritizes client and employee education to empower informed decision-making and best practices.

Attorney

Sayra Gutierrez

JD, Boston University School of Law
BA, University of California, Davis

Sayra has worked as a Constituent Affairs Intern at the Office of the Governor of California and then embarked on her immigration career as a paralegal with one of the largest immigration law firms. She also served there as a law clerk while completing her JD degree, assisting clients with a high volume of immigrant and nonimmigrant matters. Since being admitted to practice in California, Sayra has represented clients at CIP, guiding them on the full range of employment-based cases and immigration program management and compliance issues. Sayra has studied abroad in Italy, and she is fluent in Spanish and Italian.

Attorney

Sofia Pate

JD, University of California, Hastings College of Law
BA, Cornell University

Sofia has been practicing immigration law for over 15 years, working with employers ranging from start-up companies to multi-national corporations with significant foreign national populations. In addition to guiding employers on their immigration programs and compliance matters, Sofia has assisted individuals and families with their various immigration matters, including priority worker and family-based petitions. Sofia supports multiple corporate accounts with complex Request For Evidence (RFE) responses, case preparation, client communications, and she mentors team attorneys and paralegals at CIP.

Attorney

Suann Kessler

JD, University of California, Hastings College of Law
BA, University of Texas at Austin

Suann has over seven years of experience in immigration law. At CIP, she strategizes and supports clients with their immigrant applications, prepares them for interviews, and guides employers on employment-based visa processing. Having worked at both the Asylum Office and the USCIS Field Office in San Francisco, Suann has a unique perspective and insight into the Immigration and Nationality Act process and enforcement. Before Federal service, Suann began her legal career as an attorney at a Bay Area non-profit organization, assisting clients with filing U visas, advising on the intricacies of immigration and criminal law, obtaining public benefits, and representing clients in mediation and family court.

Supervising Attorney

Waleed Salaheldin

JD, University of the Pacific – McGeorge School of Law
BA, University of California, Berkeley

Waleed advises clients on the full spectrum of US corporate immigration matters and on effective strategies to expand and improve their US-based immigration programs, focusing on compliance, efficiency, risk management, and elevating the employee experience.

As an immigrant and naturalized US citizen, Waleed brings a compassion-driven approach to his practice. He has supported all ranges of client sizes from startups to high volume Fortune 100 companies in a variety of industries such as automotive (electric), biotechnology, data storage/management/analysis, health care, IT consulting, manufacturing, retail, semiconductor, solar energy, technology (artificial intelligence and machine learning applications) and wholesale trade.

People Operations Manager

Jennifer Walsh

Credentials: SHRM-CP

Jennifer is the People Operations Manager for CIP. She has over fourteen years of HR experience in areas that include training, benefits administration, payroll, handbook development, HR administration and compliance, employee engagement/satisfaction, and organizational development. Jennifer brings a breadth of knowledge and “no job too small” attitude to everything she does. Prior to working in the immigration law space, Jennifer held positions in the mortgage, real estate, education, non-profit, and consumer packaged goods industries with a focus on full employee life-cycle needs.

Controller

Karen Riego de Dios

BS, De La Salle University – Manila, Philippines (Commerce & Marketing)

Director of IT & Security

Kelvin Kao

B.S., University of California, Los Angeles (Computer Science & Engineering)

Kelvin brings over 25 years of experience to CIP. After receiving his degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles, he went on to become an IT Systems Administrator at a technical solutions consultancy.

Director, Client Success

Marian Pierce

BA, Trinity College

Marian’s more than 25 years of experience in business immigration brings a unique blend of perspectives to the CIP team and our clients. She has held positions in client service, in-house program management, technology, marketing, advocacy, and business development – working for law firms, a Big Four accounting firm, and a DC-based immigration trade association. She has a passion for mentoring young professionals and supporting international student exchange organizations.

Onsite Immigration Manager

Donna

Onsite Immigration Manager

Tamika

Case Manager

Paul

Case Manager

Brigitte

Case Manager

Jade

Case Manager

Kimberlee

Case Manager

Linda

US Practice Lead

Robert

Case Manager

Sheryl

Case Manager

Tom

Senior Case Coordinator

Anita

Senior Case Coordinator

Corinna

Senior Case Coordinator

Elizabeth

Senior Case Coordinator

Hannah

Senior Case Coordinator

Hershee

Senior Case Coordinator

Kaitlin

Senior Case Coordinator

Kiyomi

Case Coordinator

Alyanna

Case Coordinator

Catherine

Case Coordinator

George

Case Coordinator

Kelly

Case Coordinator

Kim

Case Coordinator

Marielle

Paralegal

Adamelle

Paralegal

Andreana

Paralegal

Jessica

Paralegal

Kinsey

Paralegal

Marichelle

Paralegal

Marissa

Paralegal

Pilar

Paralegal

Roxanne

Paralegal

Safa

Paralegal

Stephanie

Legal Assistant

Pei-Ti

Law Clerk

Anushri

Senior Global Case Manager, EMEA

Magdalena

Global Case Manager

Clint

Global Account Manager

Jacqueline

Global Case Manager, APAC

Regina

Global Case Manager, APAC

Tasha

Global Case Manager, EMEA

Urszula

Global Case Assistant

Alexander

Global Administrator

Laura

Global Case Coordinator

Helen