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Branch Adds Immigration Capabilities To Research Triangle Office

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA  --- R. Oliver Branch has joined the Research Triangle Park office of the firm as an Associate in the Business, Finance and Real Estate practice group, Paul C. Jacobson, managing shareholder of the office, said today.

"Oliver's experience in immigration and employment matters will be essential for a number of our North Carolina and Virginia clients, as well as those based in other states and outside the United States, who are dealing with a more diverse local workforce than ever," said Jacobson.

Branch's legal experience includes strategic immigration planning to address the visa and work permit needs of international professionals, managers and executives, corporate trainees, and students.  He has extensive experience with the drafting, processing, reviewing, and filing of a wide array of immigration applications and petitions, including nonimmigrant visas, immigrant visas, applications for permanent residency, and applications for naturalization. 

Branch has prepared and filed motions with the Immigration Court,  handled a variety of issues in removal proceedings and also conducts I-9 compliance training and I-9 compliance audits for employers.. He was formerly with the Raleigh office of WilliamsMullen.

Branch will work within the International Business team with attorneys Michael Kuhn and Jim Cornwell, based in Richmond and Blacksburg, Virginia, respectively. Branch earned his B.S. from Messiah College, where he graduated summa cum laude. His J.D. was awarded by the University of Richmond School of Law.

Founded almost 160 years ago, Sands Anderson has 74 lawyers practicing among its offices in Richmond, Christiansburg, Fredericksburg and McLean, Virginia, and the Research Triangle of North Carolina. In 2010, it was ranked 8th in the Virginia Lawyers Weekly annual listing of the state's largest law firms. Sands Anderson provides a full range of legal services to corporations and businesses, healthcare providers, financial institutions, state and local governments, the insurance industry and individuals.