Cletus M. Weber, Co-Founder and Senior Attorney

Cletus Weber has more than two decades of legal experience, primarily focusing on representing clients nationwide in the areas of Immigrant Investors (EB-5), National Interest Waivers (NIW), Aliens of Extraordinary Ability (EB-1A), Outstanding Professors or Researchers (EB-1B), Multinational Executives or Managers (EB1C), and J1 Waivers, as well as PERM labor certification, H1B, L1, and other areas of employment-based immigration law.

Mr. Weber has written, spoken, and edited nationally on EB-5 Investment Visas, National Interest Waivers, Aliens of Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Professors or Researchers, PERM Labor Certification, H-1B cap exemptions, law office management and technology, and other areas of immigration law and practice.

Selected Books on EB-5 Visas and Other Areas of Immigration Law:

Senior Editor, Immigration Options for Investors & Entrepreneurs, 3rd Edition (AILA 2014).
Editor-in-Chief, The EB-5 Handbook: A Guide for Investors and Developers (EB-5 Investors Magazine 2014).
Invited Reviewer (EB-5 Law), Kurzban's Immigration Law Sourcebook, 14th Edition (AIC 2014).
Associate Editor, AILA Immigration Practice Toolbox, 4th Edition (AILA 2013).
Editor, 2012 AILA EB-5 Conference Workbook (American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) 2012).
Editor-in-Chief, AILA's Manual on PERM Labor Certification: Strategies, Samples, and Guidance for Achieving Success (AILA 2011).
Associate Editor, Immigration Practice Pointers: Tips for Handling Complex Cases (AILA 2010-2015).
Associate Editor, Immigration Options for Investors & Entrepreneurs, 2nd Edition (AILA 2010).

Selected National and International EB-5 Presentations:

Discussion Leader, "'Material Change' Problems & How to Prevent Them," EB-5 Summit for Attorneys and Developers, Immigration Lawyers on the Web (ILW), New York City, New York, April 29, 2016.
Discussion Leader, “Lawful Source & Path of Funds,” Shenzhen, China; Panelist, “Lawful Source & Path of Funds,” Beijing, China; and Discussion Leader, “What Investors Need to Know About Green Card Status,” Shanghai, China; 6th Annual Invest in America Summit, March 2016, with additional presentations in Qingdao, China, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Panelist, "USCIS Update: 2015 in Review," 2016 Las Vegas EB-5 Conference, EB5investors.com, Las Vegas, Nevada, January 16, 2016.
Discussion Leader, “EB-5 Litigation: The Latest from Court Proceedings Relevant to Policy,” 5th Annual EB-5 Market Exchange Conference, Invest in the USA (IIUSA®), Dallas, Texas, Oct. 23, 2015.
Discussion Leader, "EB-5 Overview," 2015 EB-5 Investors & Regional Centers CLE Conference, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Las Vegas, Nevada, August 27, 2015.
Discussion Leader, "Best Practices for I-526 and I-829 Petitions," National EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visas Teleconference, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), November 20, 2014.
Discussion Leader, "Preparing the EB-5 Case—Practice Tips and Documentation," 2014 EB-5 Investors & Regional Centers CLE Conference, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Chicago, Illinois, August 22, 2014.
Discussion Leader, "Understanding EB-5 Essentials," 2014 Las Vegas EB-5 Conference, EB5investors.com, Las Vegas, Nevada, March 8, 2014.
Panelist, "Best Practices: The Investor Application Process from I-526 to I-829," 2014 Las Vegas EB-5 Conference, EB5investors.com, Las Vegas, Nevada, March 8, 2014.
Co-Discussion Leader, "EB-5 Immigrant Investor Petitions and Other Immigration Options for Investors and Entrepreneurs," 2014 Pacific Northwest Immigration Law Conference, Portland, Oregon, American Immigration Lawyers Association (Oregon/Washington), February 20, 2014.
Conference Chair and Discussion Leader for all presentations, The EB-5 Summit For Attorneys and Developers, Immigration Lawyers on the Web (ilw.com), Los Angeles, California, October 18, 2013.
Co-Discussion Leader for all presentations, Employment (Investor) -Based Immigration: EB-5 from Start to Finish, Pincus Professional Education, Seattle, Washington, September 19, 2013.
Discussion Leader, "USCIS 'Tenant Occupancy' Policy: Is Feb. 2012 Flip-Flop Warranted?" 3rd Annual IIUSA EB-5 International Investment & Economic Development Forum, Association to Invest in the USA (IIUSA), June 20, 2013.
Panelist, "EB-5 Investment in the U.S.--the EB-5 Training," AREAA Global Summit, Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), Honolulu, Hawaii, April 20, 2013.
Co-Discussion Leader, "Hot Topics For Chinese EB-5 Investors," 2012 Immigration & Education Conference--EB-5 Investment Beijing Expo, Beijing, China, December 15-16, 2012, Immigration Lawyers on the Web (ilw.com).
Discussion Leader, "How EB-5 Really Works: Achieving Success and Staying Out of Trouble," EB-5 Investors & Regional Centers—A Practice Skills Workshop, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Nassau, Bahamas, April 20, 2012.
Discussion Leader, "EB-5: Getting it Right for the Investor, Developer, and Regional Center," Unlocking Foreign Capital through the Federal EB-5 Program, EB-5 Institute, Portland, Oregon, March 30, 2012.
Panelist, "EB-5 and Investments Through a Broader Lens," The EB-5 Workshop, Immigration Lawyers on the Web (ilw.com), Orlando, Florida, March 5, 2012.
Panelist, "Overseas Funding: EB-5 & Foreign Direct Investment, Institutional & Non-Institutional EB-5 and Investments Through a Broader Lens," Overseas Funding (EB-5 & FDI) Workshops, OverseasFunding.com, Orlando, Florida, March 6, 2012.
Discussion Leader, "'Where, Investor, Are You From?'—Country Specific Issues," EB-5 Investors & Regional Centers—Navigating Through New Challenges and Building a Sound Practice, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), San Antonio, Texas, October 21, 2011.
Discussion Leader, "Preparing the EB-5 Case—Practice Tips and Documentation," 2011 EB-5 Investors & Regional Centers—Emerging Issues & Winning Strategies for Your Clients and Your Practice, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Las Vegas, Nevada.
Discussion Leader, "Analyzing the Case—Determining if EB-5 (Or Something Else) is the Best Path," 2010 National Special Topics Conference on Investing in America—Making EB-5 Work for Your Clients and Your Practice, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Boston, Massachusetts.

Selected Book Chapters on EB-5 and Other Areas of Immigration Law:

E. Peng, T. Lee & C. Weber, "Insiders’ Guide to EB-5 Immigrant Investor Law and Practice," Book Chapter in Immigration Options for Investors & Entrepreneurs, 3rd Edition (AILA 2014).
E. Peng & C. Weber, "Practical Planning Strategies Using EB-5 and Other Options for Immigrant Investors and Entrepreneurs," Book Chapter in Immigration Options for Investors & Entrepreneurs, 3rd Edition (AILA 2014).
E. Peng, J. Robles & C. Weber, "Introducing the PERM-to-Green Card Path and the Players, Hurdles, and Traps You are Likely to Encounter Along the Way," Book Chapter in AILA's Manual on PERM Labor Certification: Strategies, Samples, and Guidance for Achieving Success (American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 2011).
S. Barnes, A. Dgebuadze, J. Robles, R. Webber, A. Weigel & C. Weber, "Knowing What to Do and When to Do It: A Step-by-Step Guide to Successful PERM Labor Certification Practice," Book Chapter in AILA's Manual on PERM Labor Certification: Strategies, Samples, and Guidance for Achieving Success (American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 2011).
C. Weber, "For H-1B Cap Exemptions, 'Related or Affiliated' is Pretty Close to Where It's 'at'," in Immigration Options for Physicians, 3rd Edition (AILA) (2009).
D. Jones, R. Auerbach & C. Weber, "Technology for the Immigration Practitioner," Immigration & Nationality Handbook, 2006-2007 Edition (AILA).
G. Walther & C. Weber, “Part 1 – General Automation Issues,” AILA's Guide to Technology and Legal Research for the Immigration Lawyer, 3d Ed. (H.A. Jenkins, Ed.) (AILA 2003).
G. Walther & C. Weber, “Part 2 – Creating and Using Your Own Website,” AILA's Guide to Technology and Legal Research for the Immigration Lawyer, 3d Ed. (H.A. Jenkins, Ed.) (AILA 2003).

Selected Articles on EB-5 and Other Areas of Immigration Law:

Elizabeth Peng & Cletus M. Weber, “EB-5 Practice: USCIS’s April 22, 2015, Policy-Change Announcement and the Obvious Meaning of ‘Cash’ and ‘Indebtedness’ Under C.F.R. §204.6(e),” 20 Bender's Immigration Bulletin 749 (2015)republished online by Immigration Lawyers on the Web (ILW).
C. Weber, "Immigration Without Labor Certification: When and Why to File an EB-1 or NIW Petition," 9 Bender's Immigration Bulletin 571 (2004), republished online by Immigration Lawyers on the Web (ILW).
C. Weber & R. Wada, "National Interest Waivers - a 2002 Practice Update," 7 Bender's Immigration Bulletin, 391 (2002), republished as a book chapter in Homeland Security, Business Immigration: The Challenges of Practicing In Today's Recessionary Environment (AILA 2003).
Dozens of articles on law office management and technology for immigration lawyers.

Selected National Presentations on PERM Labor Certification, Alternatives to PERM Labor Certification, Etc.:

Discussion Leader, "But I Thought I Just Needed a Letter! Coping with Tricky TN Issues at the Border," July 14, 2011 National Teleconference, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
Panelist, "PERM Labor Certification: The Long and Winding Road to 'PERM'anent Residency and How to Get There," 2011 Annual Conference on Immigration Law, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), San Diego, California.
Discussion Leader, "Allied Health Care Professionals [i.e., Nurses, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Audiologists, Medical Technologists (Clinical Laboratory Scientists), Medical Technicians (Clinical Laboratory Technicians), and Physicians Assistants]," November 4, 2010 National Teleconference, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
Discussion Leader, "Law Office Technology: Managing Technology Before it Manages You!" 2006 Annual Conference of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), San Antonio, Texas.
Panelist, "Crème de la Crème: Extraordinary, Outstanding, Multinational and Exceptional," a national three-part immigration law teleconference sponsored by Immigration Lawyers on the Web, Summer 2003.
Invited Speaker, "The Labor Certification Process and Other Options" for Business Immigration: The Challenges of Practicing In Today's Recessionary Environment (AILA 2003 Midyear CLE Conference, Cancun, Mexico, January 31, 2003).

Selected Regional Presentations:

Discussion Leader, “EB-5 Lore vs. EB-5 Law,” and Panelist, “Ethics and Risk Management in EB- 5,” 2016 EB-5 Seminar, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Los Angeles, California, February 13, 2016.
Panelist, “Ethics and Risk Management in EB-5,” 2016 EB-5 Seminar, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Los Angeles, California, February 13, 2016.
Panelist, “Cities, Business and Companies,” U.S.-China Economic Forum Series, Churchill Society, Bellevue, Washington, January 22, 2016.
Discussion Leader, “Invest in Washington,” Seattle Biz-Tech Summit, Bellevue, Washington, Oct. 24, 2015.
Panelist, “China and U.S. Business Investment and FDI in Uncertain Times,” U.S.-China Economic Forum Series, Churchill Society, Bellevue, Washington, November 19, 2015.
Presenter, “What Non-Immigration Attorneys Need to Know about Immigration Law,” King County Bar Association Solo/Small Firms Section Meeting, Seattle, Washington, October 14, 2015.
Panelist, “Making the Most of EB-5 in Washington,” 2015 CDFA Washington Financing Roundtable Conference, Council of Development Finance Agencies, Seattle, Washington, October 13, 2015.
Presenter, "Waves, Hands, Pyramids, Drains, and Mirrors—Conceptual Guidance to Improve Your Law Practice and Keep You Out of Trouble," 2011 Ethics Boot Camp—Evolve Intelligently and Avoid Making Ethics/Malpractice Mistakes, Washington State Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Seattle, Washington, December 5, 2011.
Panelist, "Techno Ethics," AILA Pacific Northwest Technology and Ethics Conference, Washington State Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Seattle, Washington, August 11, 2011.
Panelist, "Social Media, Social Networking and Ethics," AILA Pacific Northwest Technology and Ethics Conference, Washington State Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Seattle, Washington, August 11, 2011.
Panelist, "Problems and Strategies for Dealing with Prolonged Backlogs," 2011 Northwest Regional Immigration Law Conference, Oregon and Washington Chapters of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Portland, Oregon.
Discussion Leader, "Immigration Without Labor Certification: When, Why, and How to File an EB-1 or NIW Petition," 2004 Northwest Regional Immigration Seminar, Seattle, Washington.
Discussion Leader, "Alternatives to Labor Certification," 2003 Northwest Regional Immigration Seminar, Portland, Oregon.
Several presentations on law office management and technology for immigration lawyers.

Professional Service in Immigration Law and State Bar Associations:

2015-Present, Member, Board of Directors, Invest in the USA (IIUSA), a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit industry trade association of active EB-5 Regional Centers, attorneys, and other EB-5-related service providers.
2014-Present, Member, National EB-5 Committee, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
2012-2013, Member, National Long-Distance Learning Committee, AILA.
2010-2012, Member, National Board of Publications Committee, AILA (Chair, 2011-2012; previously Vice Chair, 2010-2011).
2011-2012, Member, National EB-5 Conference Committee, AILA.
2011, Member, National Conference Committee for 2011 IIUSA EB-5 International Investment & Economic Development Forum, Seattle, Washington.
2009-Present, Member, IIUSA.
2006-2007, Member, National Ethics, Professionalism, and Member Services Committee, AILA.
2002-2005, Member, Law Office Management Assistance Program (LOMAP) Committee, Washington State Bar Association (WSBA).
2001-2008, Executive Committee, Washington State Chapter of AILA.
1999-2004, Webmaster, Washington State Chapter of AILA (created Chapter’s first website).

Legal Experience:

1992-Present, Co-Founder and Managing Member, Peng & Weber, PLLC, Attorneys at Law, Seattle/Mercer Island, Washington.
1991-1992, Staff Attorney/Policy Analyst, Majority Caucus, Washington State Senate, Olympia, Washington.
1989-1991, Associate Attorney/Clerk, Ogden Murphy Wallace, Seattle, Washington.
1988-1989, Law Clerk, McCarthy, Sweeney & Harkaway, Washington, D.C.
1988, Intern, Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C.

State and Federal Bar Admissions:

2003, U.S. Supreme Court, Washington, D.C.
1993, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
1990, Washington State Supreme Court.

Education:

1989 Juris Doctor (J.D.), The National Law Center, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (Law Review).
1986 B.B.A., College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia (Beta Gamma Sigma honors).

Honors and Recognition:

2016, Who's Who Legal: Corporate Immigration
2012, Presidential Commendation “For Outstanding Leadership as Chair of the Board of Publications,” American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
1988-1989, Managing Editor, The George Washington University Law Review.
1987-1988, Member, The George Washington University Law Review.
1985, Inductee, Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society.

Languages:

Through self-study and more than a dozen trips to China since 1991, can read, write, and speak "traveler's" Chinese.

Selected Press Coverage of Cletus M. Weber on EB-5:

Seattle Times, "Unless Congress renews it, EB-5 program in jeopardy” (September 25, 2015)
Seattle Times, "Misdirected money: Foreign investors’ funds aren’t going to the poor areas Congress targeted with ‘millionaire visa’" (March 8, 2015)
EB-5Investors Magazine, "Top 25 EB-5 Attorneys of 2015" (January 21, 2015)
Seattle Times, "Wealthy immigrants can invest way to visas" (December 11, 2011)

Selected Press Coverage of Cletus M. Weber on Other Areas of Immigration Law:

Re: 2009 Microsoft layoffs and H-1B workers:

Seattle Times, "Lawmaker asks Microsoft about keeping American workers"
Daily Telegraph (UK), "Republican senator Charles Grassley urges Microsoft to protect US workers"
Workforce Management, "Deep Corporate Staff Cuts Heat Up H-1B Visa Debate"
Lawyers USA, "Senator to Microsoft: lay off foreign workers first"
USlaw.com, "Senator Raises Immigration Issues Over Microsoft Layoffs"
American Constitution Society Blog, "Senator Raises Immigration Issues Over Microsoft Layoffs"
ImmigrationProf Blog, "Microsoft Layoffs: Should Noncitizens Go First?"
TechFlash (Seattle's Technology News Source), "Senator: Microsoft should cut foreign guests before Americans"
War Stories of a Recruiter, "The Great H1-B Debate: Should we hire Americans?"
Investor Village, "Should American citizens have priority over foreign (HB-1 work visa program) workers?"

Re: Challenges facing HR managers who discover undocumented workers:

HR Magazine, "Unmasking Illegal Workers," (Dec. 1, 2007) (HR Magazine is a publication of the Society for Human Resource Management.)

Re: Difficulties caused by severe backlogs in immigrant visa numbers:

Seattle Times, "Visa delays hold up jobs, green cards for foreigners" (November 25, 2005).

Re: Running out of options in immigration law:

Seattle Times, "When visa expires, reality sets in" (August 28, 2004).

Editorial comments on immigration law and policy:

Seattle Times, "House leadership refused to seriously debate the issue" (February 3, 2006).
Mercer Island Reporter, "Immigration reform must reflect economic realities, common sense" (June 7, 2007).

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