2024 Conference Information

Friday, March 1, 2024

7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Held at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, Denver, Colorado U.S.A.


Please join us in Denver for a one-day, power-packed program featuring national and international experts, advocates and academics from across the country. 

Headlined by our keynote speaker, Ira Kurzban, a preeminent immigration lawyer and author of “Kurzban’s Immigration Law Sourcebook", this year’s Conference will focus on business immigration - PERM, H-1B, Canadian intersections, and the use of cutting-edge technology in the practice of immigration law. 


Online registration is closed as of Wednesday, February 28, 2024.

Conference registrants may purchase the recording of the Conference proceedings: https://bebids.me/tickets/aila/recording


Keynote Speaker

Ira J. Kurzban, Esq.

Ira Kurzban is a past-national President and former General Counsel of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.  He has received national recognition for his work in the immigration field.  He has been named by the National Law Journal as one of the top twenty immigration lawyers in the United States; he has been listed for over a quarter century in the Best Lawyers in America for his work in immigration and employment law; and he has been listed repeatedly in Lawdragon as one of the top 500 lawyers in the United States.

Mr. Kurzban is an adjunct faculty member in Immigration and Nationality Law at the University of Miami School of Law and has lectured and published extensively in the field of immigration law, including articles in the Harvard Law Review, Columbia University Press, the San Diego Law Review and other publications. He is the author of Kurzban's Immigration Law Sourcebook, the most widely used one-volume immigration source in the United States.


Thank You to our 2024 Conference Sponsors !

University of Denver Sturm College of Law
Messner Reeves LLP




Conference Agenda

All times listed are Mountain Time. Agenda is subject to change. 

7:30 AM
Registrant Check-in & Coffee

8:15 AM – 8:30 AM

Welcome & Introductions

8:35 AM – 9:35 AM

Panel 1: "Nightmare on H1-B Street"
  • Lisa H. York, Curray York & Associates
  • Marissa Cwik, Ogletree Deakins
  • Sarah Bileti, Holland & Hart LLP
8:35 AM – 9:35 AM

Panel 2: "The Future of Immigration Law: Legislative Advocacy for Uncertain Times"

  • Joy Athanasiou, Joy Strategies, LLC
  • Senator Julie Gonzales, Colorado State Senate
  • Jorge Loweree, American Immigration Council
  • Santiago Gonzales, Office of U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (invited)

9:40 AM – 10:40 AM

Panel 3: "Canada - Northern Possibilities for Southern Neighbours"
  • Tamara Mosher-Kuczer, Lighthouse Immigration Law 
  • Lisa Middlemiss, Gomberg Dalfen 
  • Amandeep Hayer, Hayer Law
9:40 AM – 10:40 AMPanel 4: "Strategies for Immigration Litigation: Issue Spotting for Federal Court"
  • Brian Green, Law Office of Brian Green
  • Zachary R. New, Joseph & Hall, PC

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM

Panel 5: "The Pain of PERM"

  • John Combs, Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete LLP
  • Brad J. Hendrick, Caplan and Earnest 
  • Varinia Guzman, Ogletree Deakins



11:45 AM – 1:15 PM

Networking Lunch with Sponsors & AILA Colorado Awards Presentation

1:25 PM – 2:25 PM

Panel 6: Tech Toolbox

  • Matt Gale, Berry Appleman & Leiden
  • Jared Jaskot, Jaskot Law
  • Steve Muerrens, Larlee Rosenberg, Barristers & Solicitors

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Panel 7: "EDI Training: Creating an Inclusive Work Environment"

  • Alexi Freeman, University of Denver, Sturm College of Law
3:35 PM – 4:35 PMPanel 8: "Southern Border Updates"
  • Charlene D'Cruz, Charlene F. D'Cruz, PA
  • Taylor Levy, Taylor Levy Law

4:45 PM – 5:30 PM

Keynote Session: "Ira vs. The Machines"

  • Ira J. Kurzban, Esq.
5:30 PM – 6:30 PMReception Fundraiser for Immigrant's List with 
Opening Remarks by Ira J. Kurzban, Esq.

6:45 PM

Happy Hour (off-site) organized by AILA Colorado DEI and New Member Division



Accreditation

The Rocky Mountain Immigration Conference hosted by AILA Colorado on March 1, 2024, has applied for CLE credits from the Colorado Supreme Court, Office of Continuing Legal & Judicial Education. 

Colorado attorneys and judges may report CLE Credits earned at this seminar by logging into the Online CLE Transcript. You can access the online entry of Affidavits by visiting http://www.cletrack.com.  Click on CLE Transcripts, login and select Enter Online Affidavits. (Course ID will be provided during the event).

Information & Accommodations

Cancellations & Refunds

The  Immigration Conference is a hybrid event that allows for in-person and/or virtual attendance.

In lieu of cancellation:

  • AILA Colorado encourages a change in status to "Virtual" participation; or
  • Another registrant may be substituted at any time prior to February 23.

All cancellations or registration changes must be reported in writing via email to our Conference Manager at steffani@ascentmeetings.com

For cancellations received on/before February 16, 2024, a full refund less $25 processing fee will be granted within 7 days after the conference.

There are no refunds on/after February 16 but we can still substitute or change to virtual.



Hotel Accommodations

AILA Colorado Chapter is pleased to offer discounted group rates at the Hyatt Place Denver/Cherry Creek, 4150 E Mississippi Ave, Glendale, CO 80246.

  • $124 for King (plus taxes): divided living and sleeping areas, one king plush Hyatt Grand Bed™ and Cozy Corner with sofa-sleeper
  • $144 for Queen/Queen (plus taxes): separate sleeping and living areas, including two queen Hyatt Grand Beds™ and Cozy Corner with sofa-sleeper
  • Room includes complimentary breakfast, wireless internet and parking for the nights of 2/29/24 – 3/2/24. 
  • All reservations must be booked no later than February 22 to guarantee this group rate

CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/colorado/hyatt-place-denver-cherry-creek/denzc?corp_id=G-AIL1

  1. The reservation link above will take you to the Hyatt Place Website
  2. Click on the "BOOK NOW” button on the upper right corner of the screen
  3. Enter the dates of your stay. Your groups discount code will auto populate under ‘corporate or group code’. Press ‘Book Now’ and then ‘select’ on one of the guest room options.
  4. Move Forward with Payment Process


Other lodging suggestions:https://www.du.edu/comm-govt/community/resources/visitors/hotels


Winter Activities

The Colorado Rockies offer breathtaking ski and snowboard terrain as well as abundant natural snow – as much as 33’ per year! 

These ski resorts are located within an 2.5 hour drive from Denver:

  1. Arapahoe Basin (Ikon Pass): https://www.arapahoebasin.com/tickets-and-passes/
  2. Beaver Creek (Epic Pass): https://www.snow.com/planavacation/lifttickets.aspx
  3. Breckenridge (Epic Pass): https://www.snow.com/planavacation/lifttickets.aspx
  4. Copper Mountain (Ikon Pass): https://www.coppercolorado.com/plan-your-trip/lift-tickets/tickets
  5. Keystone (Epic Pass): https://www.snow.com/planavacation/lifttickets.aspx
  6. Vail (Epic Pass): https://www.snow.com/planavacation/lifttickets.aspx
  7. Winter Park (Ikon Pass): https://shop.winterparkresort.com/s/lift-tickets/day-lift-tickets/c/lift-tickets-3

Please note that lift tickets should be purchased online in advance; lift tickets are not sold on-site at all ski resorts.