PORTLAND, Maine (January 5, 2026) — Bernstein Shur has launched a new Immigration Law practice to help employers navigate today’s unprecedented workforce challenges, particularly in health care and other highly regulated industries.
As U.S. immigration laws and policies continue to evolve, employers face heightened scrutiny of visa applications and employment-based green cards at the same time they are struggling to recruit and retain qualified workers. Bernstein Shur’s new Immigration Law practice is designed to help employers respond proactively, with compliant strategies that support workforce stability, long-term growth, and peace of mind for valued employees.
The Immigration Law practice is led by Michael Murray, who joins Bernstein Shur as a shareholder from FordMurray Law, along with Olivia Shaw, an associate who also joins the firm, and a team of seasoned immigration professionals. Together, they bring decades of experience advising employers nationwide, with deep expertise supporting hospitals, health systems, and other health care providers navigating complex workforce and regulatory challenges.
“This is a significant step forward for the firm and for our clients,” said Kaveri Subbarao Nauhaus, CEO, Bernstein Shur. “Health care employers are under intense pressure, from workforce shortages to regulatory complexity. Adding an experienced immigration team allows us to better support institutions and their valued medical teams that are essential to the communities they serve.”
The Immigration Law team takes a strategic, programmatic approach to immigration matters, helping employers secure visas while building sustainable immigration protocols aligned with operational and workforce goals. Health care immigration is a core focus of the practice, as hospitals and providers face mounting pressures from aging populations, workforce shortages, and heightened regulatory oversight. The team partners closely with business leaders and human resources professionals, including health care leadership and HR teams, to deliver carefully planned immigration solutions for physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals that bring clarity and confidence to an increasingly complex landscape.
Services include support for J-1 Waiver applications (regional and Conrad 30 waiver programs), temporary work authorization (H-1B, O-1, etc.), green card petitions (PERM, NIW, PNIW, Extraordinary Ability), and immigration compliance training for HR teams.
Beyond health care, the practice advises businesses across industries on tailored immigration strategies, including H-1B, L-1, E, TN, and alternative visa options, as well as employer-sponsored green cards and compliance planning. The team also provides comprehensive I-9 audits, site visit preparation, and visa program compliance guidance as part of broader risk management strategies.
“Effective immigration strategies help employers build stable, compliant workforces and give professionals and their families greater certainty,” Murray said. “We are excited to bring this work to Bernstein Shur and to collaborate across the firm in support of our clients.”
The Immigration Law practice serves a national client base and integrates closely with Bernstein Shur’s existing health care, labor and employment, and corporate practices.