Attorney Dyan Williams of Igbanugo Partners Int'l Law Firm P.L.L.C

Minneapolis, Minnesota Office
P 612.746.0363
E dwilliams@IgbanugoLaw.com

Dyan Williams is admitted to practice as an attorney in the State of Minnesota, the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh and Eighth Circuits.

At Igbanugo Partners Int'l Law Firm, PLLC, Ms. Williams prepares applications and petitions for employment-based immigration (including EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4 & EB-5 preference categories), family-based immigration, naturalization, and nonimmigrant visas such as H-1B specialty occupations and L-1 intra-company transferees. She handles motions, petitions and appeals before the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), Administrative Appeals Office (AAO), Executive Office for Immigration Review (immigration courts), Board of Immigration Appeals, federal circuit courts, and federal district courts.

Previously, Ms. Williams was a consultant in the Communication Practice Group of former Watson Wyatt Worldwide (now Towers Watson), a global human resources consulting firm. She worked with clients ranging from international corporations to local non-profit organizations to develop employee communication strategies and materials on human resources issues, including market-based compensation, global employee relations, organizational change management, online employee benefits enrollment, and various benefit plans. She collaborated extensively with the Technology, Retirement, and Health Care practice groups to provide communication expertise in cross-practice projects.

Ms. Williams obtained her Juris Doctor degree at William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was a member of the William Mitchell Law Review, a lead member of the William Mitchell Trial Advocacy Team, and a scholarship recipient for her high academic credentials. In addition, Ms. Williams holds a Master of Arts degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the Curtis L. Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, where she was awarded a fellowship for her academic achievement. Ms. Williams graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism & Mass Communication and Political Science and a minor in Speech Communication from the University of Minnesota. She received five merit-based scholarships from the School of Journalism & Mass Communication for her academic performance and potential for a career in mass communication.

Ms. Williams is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and serves on the Board of Directors and Education & Outreach Committee of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (Minnesota's Lawyers' Assistance Program). She is an immigration columnist for Mshale, an African community newspaper in the Twin Cities, as well as the managing editor of Igbanugo Partners' website and Enforcement Advisor email newsletter. A certified life coach, yoga teacher and tai chi form instructor, she speaks and writes on stress mastery and mindfulness practices for lawyers, law students and legal professionals.

Publications include:

General

Befriending Time: Breaking Free From Busyness or Stuckness
(Bench & Bar of Minnesota, February 2011)

The Practice of Being: Mastering Stress and Finding Meaning as a Lawyer (Bench & Bar of Minnesota, March 2010)

U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law

Provisional I-601 Waivers Likely to Streamline Visa Application Procedure and Reduce Separation of Families
(Mshale, The African Community Newspaper, January 2012)

False Claims to U.S. Citizenship: Hidden Pitfalls and Potential Defenses
(Mshale, The African Community Newspaper, December 2011)

Unintentional Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status: Causes, Consequences and Prevention
(Mshale, The African Community Newspaper, October 2011)

Immigration Court Backlog Rises; Obama Administration Instructs DHS to Focus on Terrorists, Serious Criminals and National Security Threats
(Mshale, The African Community Newspaper, September 2011)

EB-5 Immigrant Visa Program: An Option for Foreign Investors to Invest in the U.S. and Obtain Permanent Residence for Themselves and Their Immediate Relatives
(Mshale, The African Community Newspaper, August 2011)

The DREAM Act: A Proposed Bill for Motivated, Undocumented Youths to Become Legal Immigrants
(Mshale, The African Community Newspaper, May 2011)

Marriage Fraud: Definition, Consequences & Solutions
(Mshale, The African Community Newspaper, April 2011)

U.S. Supreme Court Rules that Non-Citizen Defendants Must Be Advised of Immigration Consequences of Criminal Charges
(Mshale, The African Community Newspaper, May 2010)

Comprehensive Immigration Reform - Inevitable Solution or Unlikely Possibility? (Nexus - A Journal of Opinion, Chapman University School of Law, Vol. 13, 2007-2008)

U.S. Supreme Court Preserves Judical Review for Foreign Nationals Seeking to Reopen Removal Proceedings (Mshale, The African Community Newspaper, February 2010)

Federal Court Litigation In the Aftermath of the Real ID Act
(Mshale - The African Community Newspaper, June 2009)

Criminal Convictions in the Immigration Context: What You Don't Know Might Hurt You
(Mshale - The African Community Newspaper, May 2009)

Immigration Debate Still Simmers Amid Economic Crisis
(Mshale - The African Community Newspaper, February 2009)

When Marital Bliss Becomes Domestic Abuse
(Mshale - The African Community Newspaper, January 2009)

Immigration Consequences of Criminal Offences
(Mshale - The African Community Newspaper, July 2008)

You Need To Be "Good" To Become A Naturalized U.S. Citizen
(Mshale - The African Community Newspaper, May 2008)

ICE Steps Up Worksite Enforcement Efforts
(Mshale - The African Community Newspaper, November 2007)

Anatomy of Marriage Fraud Cases: Fighting the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service (CIS) to the Finish and Winning
(Mshale - The African Community Newspaper, September 2007)

Expedited Removal Process
(Mshale - The African Community Newspaper, June 2007)

Alternatives to Detention: The Pros and Cons
(Mshale - The African Community Newspaper, April 2007)

110th Congress Set to Take on Comprehensive Immigration Reform
(Mshale - The African Community Newspaper, January 2007)

Priority Dates: What They Are and How They Determine When You can Get Your Green Card
(Mshale - The African Community Newspaper, November 2006)

Backlogs in Immigration Security Checks Causing Delays
(Mshale - The African Community Newspaper, September 2006)

Presentations include:

The Principles of Recovery and the Practice of Law
Minnesota CLE, Live Webcast - October 28, 2011

The Engaged Lawyer: Paying Attention & Thriving in the Midst of Chaos and Uncertainty
Minnesota Legal Services Coalition, Live Webinar - October 12, 2011

Befriending Time: Breaking Free From Busyness or Stuckness
William Mitchell College of Law, Perspectives on the Legal Profession - March 28, 2011 (Sponsored by Counseling Services)

The Practice of Being: Mastering Stress and Finding Meaning as a Lawyer

The Practice of Being: Mastering Stress and Finding True Meaning in the Legal Profession
William Mitchell College of Law, Perspectives on the Legal Profession

The New Lawyer Experience - Maintaining the Work-Life Balance: How Busy Lawyers Stay Sane (Panelist)
Minnesota State Bar Association, January 15, 2010.

Upcoming Presentations include:

Immigration in the Workplace
William Mitchell College of Law, Alumni CLE Series - March 23, 2012