Tim Wheelwright

Partner

136 East South Temple
Suite 100
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
T (801) 989-5702
twheelwright@immigration.net
www.immigration.net

EDUCATION

Mr. Wheelwright earned his B.A. degree, cum laude, in Political Science from Brigham Young University in 1994.  He earned his J.D. degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1997.

EXPERTISE

Mr. Wheelwright is admitted to practice law in Utah, as well as before the United States Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

Mr. Wheelwright has been representing companies of all sizes and individuals in legal matters involving United States immigration and nationality laws for more than 15 years.  These services include:

• Temporary Work Visas - Secures work visas for United States companies who need to employ foreign workers temporarily, including E-3, H-1B, H-1B (Chile), H-1B (Singapore), H-2A, H-2B, J-1, L-1A, L-1B, Blanket L, O, P, R-1, and TN temporary worker visas.

• Permanent Work Visas - Secures Lawful Permanent Resident status (“Green Card”) for foreign workers employed permanently by United States companies under the Outstanding Researcher and Professor, Multinational Manager and Executive, Alien of Exceptional Ability, National Interest Waiver, Member of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees, Professional, Skilled Worker, Other Worker, and Religious Worker categories.

• Worksite Enforcement - Advises companies about all aspects of complying with federal and state employment eligibility verification laws (Form I-9, E-Verify, and IMAGE), worksite enforcement, and Social Security “No-Match” letters. Conducts internal audits for companies, evaluates their compliance with such laws, and helps them develop and implement workable compliance plans, training programs, and “Best Practices” to employ a legal workforce. Represents companies that are being investigated and targeted by the United States government for compliance audits and other worksite enforcement actions, including administrative, criminal, and federal contractor debarment proceedings. Has successfully negotiated lower administrative and criminal fines, lower criminal penalties, and alternatives to debarment. Experienced in helping general contractors in the construction industry implement workable I-9 compliance plans for them and their subcontractors. Performs independent I-9 compliance audits.

• Foreign Investors - Advises foreign investors regarding the requirements for securing temporary and permanent visas through investing in the United States. These opportunities generally include E-1 and E-2 visas and Green Cards through the Employment Creation (EB-5) category.

• Individuals - Helps individuals and their family members secure permanent immigration status in the United States, including:
• Family-based Green Card petitions
• Adjustment of status and consular processing
• Waivers
• Voluntary departure, cancellation of removal, political asylum, and other forms of relief before the Immigration Court and the Board of Immigration Appeals
• United States citizenship

• Educational Institutions - Advises charter schools, school districts, colleges, universities, and their foreign faculty, staff, and students regarding immigration-related issues.

• Complex Immigration Issues – Represents clients whose immigration case involves particularly complicated or novel issues of law that require special attention and expertise.

• International and Domestic Adoptions - Helps United States citizens adopt children internationally and secure immigration-related paperwork for their adopted children. Also represents clients in private-placement, agency, and step-parent adoptions before the Utah State Courts.

He also has substantial experience representing clients with employment law matters, commercial and probate litigation, and general business transactions.

Prior to joining Kuck Immigration Partners, Mr. Wheelwright was a shareholder at the law firms of Durham Jones & Pinegar and Kirton & McConkie in Salt Lake City.  He started his career as an associate at the law firm of Van Cott, Bagley, Cornwall & McCarthy.

Mr. Wheelwright is fluent in Spanish.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES, AWARDS, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

On July 1, 2011, Governor Gary R. Herbert appointed Mr. Wheelwright as a member of the Utah Commission on Immigration and Migration, which advises the Governor and the Legislature regarding immigration laws and policy.

He is also the chairman of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce’s Immigration Task Force, the chairman of the Davis Chamber of Commerce’s Immigration Subcommittee, and the vice-chairman of the Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce’s Immigration Task Force.  He actively works to promote sound immigration policies and to bring about substantive and workable improvements to federal and state immigration laws.

Mr. Wheelwright is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and has served nationally and locally within AILA for many years, including on the AILA Board of Governors, Business Immigration Committee, Nebraska Service Center Liaison Committee, and as Utah Chapter Chair.

He has presented extensively on the topic of immigration and nationality law, worksite enforcement, I-9 forms, E-Verify, and related topics at national and local conferences, seminars, webinars, and workshops for trade associations, companies, HR personnel, attorneys, and community groups.

He is a member of the Rex E. Lee American Inn of Court and the J. Reuben Clark Law Society.

From 2001 until 2007, he served as a Judge Pro Tempore in the Second Judicial District Court for Weber County, State of Utah.

Mr. Wheelwright has been consistently listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Mountain States Super Lawyers, and Utah Business magazine's "Utah Legal Elite" in the category of Immigration Law, as well as in The International Who’s Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers.

He is a former mayor of Pleasant View City, where he also served as a member of the City Council, Planning Commission, and Board of Adjustments

He currently serves as the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the North View Fire District, a special services district that serves the residents of Pleasant View, Harrisville, and North Ogden.

Mr. Wheelwright also serves in a volunteer capacity on the Board of Directors of the Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce.  He was recently elected by that board to serve as an executive officer and in 2012 will be the Secretary/Treasurer.

He also serves in a volunteer capacity as the chairman of the Protest & Appeals Committee for the Utah Youth Soccer Association, as well a member of the board of directors of La Roca Futbol Club.

Mr. Wheelwright and his wife Heidi have four children, Celeste, Joseph, Hannah, and Charles.  He is fluent in Spanish.  In his free time he enjoys playing golf, spending time with his family, and watching his children play soccer.

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