Area of emphasis

Hospitals, Health Systems & Research

Education

J.D., Temple University Beasley School of Law

B.A., cum laude, American University

membership

International Medical Graduate (IMG) Taskforce

American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

American Health Law Association (AHLA)

Karen M. Pollins, a Partner and Chair of the Firm's Medical and Research Team, has been recognized by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in the immigration field.

Karen has extensive experience in all aspects of immigration with particular expertise in employment-based immigration for hospitals, health systems, and pharmaceutical/research institutions, as well as for foreign national clinicians, educators, and scientists. She provides strategic counseling related to H-1Bs, O-1s and other temporary visa matters, the permanent residency process (including EB-1 Petitions, clinical and research-based National Interest Waiver Petitions, and Basic/Special Recruitment PERM), and J-1 Waivers of the Two Year Foreign Residence Requirement. Karen is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), where she serves as Chair of the Philadelphia Chapter, as well as the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Taskforce and the American Health Law Association (AHLA).

Karen holds a bachelor's degree in International Relations and Spanish / Latin American Studies from American University and a J.D. from Temple University School of Law. In recognition of Karen’s exceptional work in the immigration field while attending law school at Temple, she received the Beth Cross Graduation Award from Temple University and further accolades from the Philadelphia Bar Association. Karen is fluent in Spanish.

Publications

• Presenter, Pathways to Permanent Residency for Post-Doctoral Fellows, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, August 25, 2020.

• Co-author, Assault on the H-1B: No, It’s Not the Latest Hollywood Action Movie, Immigration Practice Pointers: Tips for Handling Complex Cases, AILA, 2019-20.

• Co-author, Member Briefing: Immigration Issues Impacting the Training, Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Physicians by Academic Medical Centers, American Health Law Association, January 2015.

• Co-author, Crossing Borders: Golden Rules Every Employment Lawyer Should Know About the U.S. Immigration Laws, 19th Annual Employment Law Institute of the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2013.

• Co-author, Immigration Issues in a Changing Healthcare Environment, 19th Annual Health Law Institute of the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2013.

• Co-author, Continuing to Care for America's Patient Population: A summary of Immigration Options for Foreign Medical Personnel, 18th Annual Health Law Institute of the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2012.

• Co-author, Take one Aspirin and a Zantac Before Proceeding: The Alien Labor Certification Process for Physicians, The Physician Immigration Book, ILW, 2011-2012.

• Co-author, Alien-Related Issues to Spot Before Commencing a PERM Case, AILA's Guide to PERM Labor Certification, 2011.

• Co-author, Labor Certification Practice and Theory for Physicians, The Physician Immigration Book, ILW, 2011.

• Co-author, Caring for America’s Patient Population: A Summary of Immigration Options for Foreign Medical Personnel, Pennsylvania Bar Institute Immigration Law Forum, 2010.

• Co-author, Foreign Worker-Related Issues to Spot Before Commencing a PERM Case, The David Stanton Manual on Labor Certification: Successful Strategies under PERM, AILA, December 2008.

• Co-author, Practical and Planning Issues in Populous Conrad 30 States: The King Solomon J-1 Waiver Approach, Immigration Options for Physicians, AILA, Fall 2008.

Presentations

• Co-panelist, Assault on the H-1B: ‘No It’s Not the Latest Hollywood Action Movie’, AILA Annual Conference, Orlando, FL, June 2019.

• Presenter, Regulatory Changes and Adjudication Trends with H-1B Petitions, AILA Philadelphia Chapter Meeting, March 2019.

• Co-presenter, Employment-Based Options for Foreign Dental Students: Pre- and Post-Graduation, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, February 2019.

• Presenter, Overview of Immigration Options for Foreign National Hires, Einstein Medical Center, April 2018.

• Presenter, Green Card Options for Post-Docs, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, March 2018.

• Co-presenter, Employment-Based Options for Foreign Dental Students: Pre- and Post-Graduation, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, February 2018.

• Co-presenter, The Permanent Residency Process and Impact of Recent Immigration Changes, The Wistar Institute, April 2017.

• Presenter, DAPA and Other Immigration Executive Actions, Philadelphia Association of Paralegals, March 2015.

• Co-presenter, Employment-Based Immigration Options for Foreign Dental Students: Pre- and Post-Graduation, The University of Pennsylvania, January 2014.

• Co-presenter, Reaching New Heights: Navigating Immigration and Landing the Best Employees, Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers Annual Conference, October 2014.

• Panelist, Foreign Physician Immigrant Options for Experts, ILW Teleconference, April 2014.

• Co-presenter, The Path to Permanent Residency: EB-1 or NIW - Do I Qualify?, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, April 2013.

• Lecturer, Temporary Visas for Working, Philadelphia Community College, December 2012. 

• Panelist, Physicians for Experts: Immigration Options Specifically for Physicians, ILW Teleconference, December 2010.

• Lecturer, Employment-Based Immigrant Visas, Philadelphia Community College, March 2011, March 2010 and March 2009.