May
20

Photo of Minnesota Women Lawyers Leadership Award Ceremony

David Wilson, Wilson Law Group's Managing Attorney, accepted Minnesota Women Lawyers' Leadership Award this past Monday.  Congratulations!

May
15

If You Received DACA in 2012, It Is Time to Renew!

If you were one of the first recipients to receive Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in the fall of 2012, then your renewal date is rapidly approaching. 

DACA recipients, also known as “Dreamers,” have temporary relief from removal and qualify for work authorization for a two-year period.  At the end of the two-year period, DACA and work authorization will expire unless the recipient applies for renewal.  If you are not sure when your DACA expires, check your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and your Form I-821D Approval Notice for the expiration date.

USCIS has...

May
13

Minnesota Women Lawyers Presents Leadership Award to WLG

Wilson Law Group is thrilled to announce that Minnesota Women Lawyers will be presenting WLG with its 2014 Leadership Award on May 19th.  Minnesota Women Lawyers established its Leadership Award to recognize legal employers throughout the state that strive to enhance the status, influence and effectiveness of women lawyers in their employ.

From the Award Nomination: “Wilson Law Group has been developing innovative ways to promote women in the legal profession and to facilitate a healthy work life balance for all staff members since the firm’s inception [in 2003]…Women are recruited...

May
12

WLG Attended the ILCM Gala

ILCM Gala

In addition to sponsoring the ILCM gala at the advocate level, WLG also attended the gala on May 9.  As you can see, our staff members enjoyed the event.  You may learn more about ILCM here.

May
9

WLG Accepts Excellence Award

On May 6, WLG proudly accepted a Small Business Excellence Award presented by the Small Business Administration. WLG was recognized for various reasons including our response to adversity, service to our community, growth, longevity and innovation of products and services. A big thank you to all WLG clients, past and present; without all of you, this award would not have been possible.

May
7

Do I Have the Right to Access my Personnel File?

A common question that arises after an individual separates from his or her employer is whether he or she has the right to access his or her personnel file.  The answer is often “Yes,” but exactly when, what, and how often varies between states.  A review of the states surrounding Minnesota reveals several subtlety different approaches.

North Dakota, for example, does not provide such a right to private employees.  It instead limits the right of access to state employees under North Dakota Century Code 54-06-21.  South Dakota is no different (see S.D. Cod. L. Ch. 3-6A-31).

Iowa...

Apr
30

Can I Get Divorced in the United States and Minnesota?

A common question we hear during our initial divorce consultations is, “Can I divorce my spouse here in the U.S. if we were married in another country?”  The answer is "Yes." 

In Minnesota, a party seeking to divorce his spouse must have at least six months of residency in Minnesota before commencing a divorce proceeding.  The important point is that it does not matter if the other spouse resides outside of Minnesota, or even outside of the United States.  What is important is that the other spouse receives proper notice.  The spouse petitioning for divorce must ensure that he or...

Apr
30

The Byron Smith Trial in Little Falls, MN

By now you have probably heard the name Byron Smith, who is currently on trial in Little Falls, Minnesota, for shooting two teenage intruders on Thanksgiving Day 2012. In Minnesota, a homeowner has the right to use deadly force against an intruder if the homeowner is reasonably in fear of being harmed. That is the central question the jurors have to answer in the case – was Mr. Smith in reasonable fear of being harmed by the two unarmed teenagers? This case sparks memories of the controversial Treyvon Martin trial last summer in Florida where the defendant, George Zimmerman, was...

Apr
30

Fact or Fiction: Does Ten Years of Physical Presence Alone Lead to Permanent Residency?

Wilson Law Group is separating fact from fiction in a series of blogs clarifying some common misconceptions in immigration law.  We hope you find our clarifications helpful. 

One common misconception is that after living in the United States for ten years, a person automatically qualifies for permanent residency or can avoid removal from the U.S.  We wish it were that simple, but it is not.  To be clear, ten years of presence in the United States does not in and of itself lead to a green card or qualify someone for relief from removal. 

Rather, ten years is just one of several...

Apr
21

Immigration Fact Check: Your U.S. Citizen Child Can’t Help You Apply for an Unlawful Presence Waiver

If you have a U.S. citizen child over the age of 21, he or she may petition for you to immigrate to the United States as an immediate relative. Before asking your child to file a petition on your behalf, you should make sure that you are eligible to adjust status after USCIS approves the petition.

If you are living in the United States and you entered without inspection, you will have to consular process from abroad to obtain your green card after your child petitions for you. If you have been unlawfully present in the United States for more than 180 days, your departure from the United...

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