head_BahalAlka

Alka Bahal
Partner
abahal@foxrothschild.com

Roseland, NJ
973.994.7800


Alka is a Partner and Co-Chair of the firm's Corporate Immigration Practice Group. She has extensive experience in corporate immigration and employer compliance issues, including:

  • IRCA
  • I-9s
  • Social Security mismatch issues
  • business visas (Bs, Es, Fs, Hs, Js, Ls, Os, Ps and Qs, plus corresponding permanent residence applications)

In the course of her career focused on corporate immigration law, Alka has represented a wide variety of clients, from Fortune 500 clients to small, privately held corporations to healthcare and non-profit organizations across the country. Alka has developed a niche in representing fashion houses of all sizes around the world and has become well known for her attention and creative solutions to employers' hiring needs. Some other industries Alka has assisted include:

  • hospitality
  • telecommunications
  • media and entertainment
  • eyewear manufacturing and distribution
  • information technology
  • financial services
  • payroll processing services
  • non-profit children's services
  • healthcare

Also a member of the firm's Labor & Employment Practice Group, Alka has assisted with a variety of management-side negotiations with unions as related to immigration matters, and has provided guidance and training on I-9 and Social Security mismatches to employers of all sizes.

Alka has filed more than 7,000 petitions relating to the employment of non-immigrants and the acquisition of permanent residence. Alka is committed to strategic immigration planning, responsive to the unique needs of business clientele, and mindful of the enormous importance of timely and cost-effective legal representation.

A noted speaker and author on corporate immigration topics, Alka regularly hosts seminars on immigration compliance and strategic planning and has authored numerous published articles on IRCA and I-9 matters, as well as visa-related topics.

Alka is permitted to represent immigration clients in every jurisdiction of the United States and all Consulates worldwide.

Before Fox Rothschild

Prior to merging with Fox Rothschild, Alka was the Chair of the Corporate Immigration Practice Group at Grotta, Glassman & Hoffman. Prior to that, Alka built and managed a highly successful business immigration practice operating in all jurisdictions worldwide.

Beyond Fox Rothschild

In 2011, Alka was appointed to four American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) committees including Customs and Border Control, Department of Labor, ICE, and Technology, which she serves as the co-chair on. 

In 2008, Alka was appointed chair of the Immigration Law Committee of the Essex County Bar Association.

Client Resources

Immigration View Blog
 U.S. immigration law comprises a system of highly complex, intricate, many-layered statutes, regulations, informal agency materials and policies which are often influenced by the current political climate. Anyone attempting to navigate this system needs attorneys well versed in the nuances of this multifaceted process. Join our experienced immigration bloggers as they provide regular updates for employers on the full gamut of immigration issues ranging from hiring, compliance and employment best practices to the latest developments in visa news and coverage of significant immigration-related decisions, as well as practical advice to ease the immigration process.
View the Immigration View Blog

Honors and Awards

• Named among the "Best 50 Women in Business" by NJBIZ (2011)
• Named among the "Forty Under 40" by NJBIZ (2010)
• Named among the "40 Under 40" by the New Jersey Law Journal (2009)


News

Featured: "Retaining I-9 Documentation, Rescinding a Job Offer, and Paying Bonuses and Commissions to Terminated Employees," PeopleShare’s HR Insights Magazine (July/August 2012)
Featured: "Fox Rothschild’s Alka Bahal Named Second Vice Chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association Immigration Law Section," (July 26, 2011)
Featured: "Fox Rothschild Attorneys Named Best 50 Women in Business," (March 7, 2011)
Interviewed: "Community Round Up," TV Asia (September 23, 2010)
Featured: "Forty Under 40," NJBiz (September 20, 2010)
Featured: "Fox Rothschild’s Alka Bahal Honored with “Forty Under 40” Award by NJBIZ ," (August 12, 2010)
Featured: "Alka Bahal of Fox Rothschild Named One of New Jersey’s 40 Under 40," (August 10, 2009)
Quoted: "Lawyers Say Visa Workers Not Recession Fall Guys," Employment Law360 (April 3, 2009)
Featured: "Alka Bahal of Fox Rothschild Appointed Chair of Immigration Law Committee for the Essex County Bar Association," (June 24, 2008)


Publications

By: "2014 H-1B Cap — Time Is Up!,"
Immigration Alert (April 2013)
 "USCIS Announces Anticipation of 5-Day H-1B Season,"
Immigration Alert (March 2013)
 "New I-9 Form Released Valid for Immediate Use ,"
Immigration Alert (March 2013)
Author: "ICE I-9 Inspections of Employers Nationwide Continue,"
Immigration Practice Alert (January 2012)
Author: "Social Security Administration Resumes Issuing Social Security No-Match Letters,"
Immigration Practice Alert (April 2011)
Author: "New and Increased Fees for Immigration Benefits Effective November 23, 2010,"
Immigration Practice Alert (October 2010)
Author: "Border Battle: The Debate Over H-1B and L-1 Visas,"
Law360 (September 21, 2010)
Author: "New Fees for Certain H-1 and L-1 Visas and for Visa Waiver Travelers,"
Immigration Practice Alert (September 2010)
Author: "Possibility of the E-Verify Program in New Jersey,"
New Jersey Law Journal, VOL. 201 - NO.4 (July 26, 2010)
Author: "ICE Undertakes 1,000 New Form I-9 Audits,"
Immigration Alert (December 2009)
Author: "Mandatory E-Verify for Federal Contractors Upheld; Set To Take Effect Sept. 8, 2009,"
Immigration Practice Alert (August 2009)
Author: "USCIS and ICE Announcements,"
Immigration Alert (July 2009)
Author: "E-Verify for Federal Contractors Postponed Until June 30, 2009,"
Immigration Practice Alert (May 2009)
Author: "New I-9 Form and Procedures Take Effect April 3, 2009,"
Immigration Practice Alert (April 2009)
Author: "New Form I-9 and Acceptable Documents Delayed Until April 3, 2009,"
Labor & Employment Department/Immigration Practice Update (February 2009)
Co-author: "E-Verify for Federal Contractors Now Postponed Until May 21, 2009,"
Labor & Employment Department and Immigration Practice Alert (January 2009)
Author: "New Form I-9 and Acceptable Documents Becomes Mandatory on February 2, 2009,"
Immigration Practice Alert (January 2009)
Author: "NY Appeals Court: Undocumented Workers Can Sue Employers That Violate Their IRCA Obligations For Lost Wages,"
Immigration Practice Alert (January 2009)
Co-author: "E-Verify for Federal Contractors Postponed Until February 20, 2009,"
Labor & Employment Department and Immigration Practice Alert (January 2009)
Author: "Federal Contractors Required to Use E-Verify System Effective January 15, 2009,"
Labor & Employment Department and Immigration Practice Alert (November 2008)
Author: "Department of Homeland Security Issues Supplemental Final Rule Concerning Social Security "No-Match" Letters,"
Immigration Practice Area Alert (November 2008)
Author: "President Bush Extends E-Verify Program & Pledges $100 Million Towards Its Continued Use,"
Immigration Practice Area Alert (November 2008)
Co-author: "Federal Government Contractors Required to Verify Work Authorization,"
Labor & Employment Alert (June 2008)
Author: "U.S. Government Issues Supplemental Proposed Rule In Attempt to Remove Injunction Against Social Security “No-Match” Rule,"
Legally Speaking (May 2008)
Author: "RICO and Its Burgeoning Relationship with Immigration Law,"
Legally Speaking (May 2008)
Author: "U.S. Government to Increase Fines for Employers Who Hire Unauthorized Workers,"
Immigration Practice Area Alert (March 2008)
Author: "States Implement Immigration Laws in Response to Lack of Federal Legislation,"
Legally Speaking (February 2008)
Author: "Social Security Mismatch Rule and the New I-9,"
Immigration Practice Area Alert (December 2007)
Author: "USCIS Revises Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9,"
Immigration Practice Area Alert (November 2007)
Author: "Preliminary Injunction Blocks Final 'No-Match' Rule Indefinitely,"
Immigration Practice Area Alert (October 2007)
Co-author: "Temporary Ban on New Social Security Mismatch Regulation,"
Immigration Practice Area Alert (October 2007)
Author: "Is Comprehensive Immigration Reform Forthcoming?,"
Immigration Practice Area Alert (June 2007)
Author: "USCIS Still Accepting H-1B Petitions for Foreign Nationals with U.S. Masters (or Higher) Degrees,"
Immigration Practice Area Update (April 2007)
Author: "U.S. Department of Labor Seeks Authorization to Charge User Fees for Labor Certification Applications,"
Immigration and Labor & Employment Practice Area Alert (March 2007)
Author: "ICE Executes Warrents In Worksite Enforcement Investigation at Six Swift & Company Facilities Throughout the United States,"
Labor & Employment Practice Area Alert (December 2006)
Author: "Corporate Immigration Law,"
The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel (October 2005)
Author: "Immigration for PEOs,"
NAPEO Legal Review (January 2005)
Author: "Immigration Laws Affect ALL Employers!,"
The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel (July 2004)


Speaking Engagements/Events

The New Form I-9: How It Affects You
(Speaker)
Presented by: Fox Rothschild LLP
Roseland, NJ/Simulcast
May 2, 2013
The New Form I-9: How It Affects You
(Speaker)
Presented by: Fox Rothschild LLP
Webinar
April 18, 2013
The New I-9 & How It Affects You
(Speaker)
Presented by: New York City Hospitality Alliance and Fox Rothschild LLP
New York, NY
March 27, 2013

(Speaker )
Presented by: Human Resource Executive Magazine, Cornell University ILR School and Cornell University School of Hotel Administration
Las Vegas, NV
March 11-13, 2013
Hot Topics in Labor and Employment and Immigration
(Speaker)
Presented by: Citrin Cooperman
New York, NY
March 14, 2012
I-9 Compliance Procedures and Best Practices
(Presenter)
Presented by: Fox Rothschild LLP
Webinar
March 7, 2012
I-9 Compliance Procedures and Best Practices
(Speaker)
Presented by: Fox Rothschild LLP
Roseland, NJ
January 12, 2012
Employment Immigration Basics
(Speaker)
Presented by: Fox Rothschild LLP
December 6, 2011
Immigration Seminar
(Speaker)
Presented by: The New York State Restaurant Association and Lebron Community Service Center
New York, NY
December 7, 2010
Immigration Seminar
(Speaker)
Presented by: The New York State Restaurant Association
New York, NY
October 4, 2010
Documenting Employees: What Every Employer Needs to Know
(Speaker)
Presented by: Fox Rothschild LLP
Atlantic City, NJ
March 25, 2010
Fox Rothschild Legal Advisory 2010 for Nursing Homes & Assisted Living Settings
Presented by: Health Care Association of New Jersey
Atlantic City, NJ
March 23-25, 2010
Haiti Quake Shakes Up Immigration
(Interviewed)
Presented by: Lincoln Brown Show
Vernal, UT
January 21, 2010
Immigration Compliance and the Law in a Multi-Cultural Environment
(Speaker)
Roseland, NJ
October 22, 2009
Immigration Compliance and the Law in a Multi-Cultural Environment
(Speaker)
Presented by: Immigration Compliance and the Law in a Multi-Cultural Environment
Roseland, NJ
June 24, 2009