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Diane Butler
Partner
Chair, Immigration Group
When I hear, "Diane, I've got a tricky immigration issue," it's music to my ears.
Main Bio
Food + Beverage Bio
Diane Butler helps clients successfully navigate the immigration process by providing concise guidance each step along the way. Diane's practice is focused on employment-based immigration for small to large companies, including investors and startups to established multinational companies. She also handles I-9, H-1B, and H-2A compliance reviews, audits, investigations, and litigation. Diane partners with in-house legal counsel, human resources personnel, and recruiters in securing foreign talent and problem-solving to achieve business objectives. She enjoys sharing her insights into the complex, rapidly evolving world of immigration procedure, and troubleshooting cross-border cases.
Practice Highlights
Immigration audits and investigations
Responding to government agencies on compliance and fraud investigations to minimize or eliminate penalties.
Requests for evidence and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs)
Preparing successful responses to requests for evidence and NOIDs in H-1B, L-1, O-1, I-140, and I-485 cases, and overcoming denials of Trade NAFTA applications.
Investor visa strategies
Preparing E-2 treaty investor visa applications for individual investors, small and startup companies, and existing entities; and developing strategies for citizens of countries without a bilateral investment treaty.
Admitted to Practice
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Washington, 1992
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U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
Education
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J.D., The George Washington University Law School, 1992
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B.A., Communications, University of Wyoming, 1983, cum laude
Memberships & Affiliations
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- Diversity Ambassador, Davis Wright Tremaine, Seattle, 2018-present
- Education Policy Advisory Committee, Greater Seattle Partners (formerly, Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle), 2018-present
- Chair, Immigration Committee, Association of Washington Business, 2016-present
- Immigrant Voting Rights Task Force, City of Seattle, 2013-2015
- Economic Development Council of Seattle and King County, Brookings Institute, Foreign Direct Investment Steering Committee and Export Development Steering Committee, 2014-present
- Pro Bono Services, Medical Legal Partnership, 2014-present
- Advisory Committee, Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle, 2005-present
- Board of Directors, Gage Academy of Art, 2015-present
- American Immigration Lawyers Association:
- Director, Board of Governors, 2011-present
- Business and Administration Litigation Taskforce, 2017-present
- Distance Learning Committee, 2014-2015
- Students and Scholars Committee, 2013-2014
- Department of Homeland Security Transformation Committee, 2011-2014
- Chair, Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection Committee, 2005-2008
- Executive Committee, Washington Chapter, 2002-2004
Professional Recognition
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- Named as one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" by Chambers USA in Immigration (Washington), 2008-2024; Received "Band 1" ranking, 2019-2024
- Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in Immigration by Best Lawyers, 2013-present
- Selected to "Washington Super Lawyers" in Immigration, Thomson Reuters, 2012-2013, 2018-2024
- AV Preeminent in Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings
- Selected to "Who's Who Legal" in Corporate Immigration, 2012, 2023
- Named as a "Top Business Lawyer" in Immigration, Seattle Business magazine, 2008
- Named as a "Top Lawyer" by her peers in Seattle Magazine, 2005
Background
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- Shareholder, Lane Powell, Seattle, 1998-2017
- Associate, Bogle & Gates, Seattle, 1994-1998
- Associate, Tousley Brain, Seattle, 1993-1994
- Law Clerk, Norton Rose (formerly Bull, Housser & Tupper), Shanghai, China, 1988-1989
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