Christopher R. Helm

Partner

I use my cross-cultural experiences to work with clients with diverse cultural, legal, and business traditions.

Chris practices business immigration law, with a focus on Canadian and Asian clients--particularly from Japan. He provides immigration advice to clients in diverse industries, including telecommunications, energy, food and agriculture, aerospace and construction. Chris helps his clients to strategize on issues and apply for employment visas and labor certifications for their executives, managers, researchers, and other professionals. He is a frequent speaker on immigration and employment sanction issues. He also serves as principal outside counsel to several foreign companies in the Pacific Northwest. He is past chair of the firm’s Pro Bono and Public Service Committee and the firm’s immigration practice group.

Chris has represented Nippon Paper Industries, Ichijo, Conair Group, Kubota Membrane USA, Medallion Foods, and Sumitomo Metal Mining America.

Practice Highlights

Immigration advice

Advised major companies in a variety of industry sectors to plan for immigration issues arising from M&A activities and expanding U.S. operations. Helped companies of all sizes to wind-down or close their operations and plan for immigration issues affecting their expat employees.

Principal outside counsel

Serving as principal outside counsel for several U.S. subsidiaries of major Japanese companies in several industries.

Pro Bono work

Pro Bono work including working with numerous women survivors of domestic violence and other victims of crime to help them secure U visas and green cards. 2018 recipient of the Davis Wright Tremaine Willard. J. Wright Award for outstanding public service and commitment to the community.

Admitted to Practice

Washington, 1995

Education

J.D., American University Washington College of Law, 1981
M.A., Education, Michigan State University, 1978
B.A., English, Carleton College, 1974

Languages

Japanese

Memberships & Affiliations

- Director, 2015-present; Treasurer, 2016-present – One America (formerly Hate-Free Zone)
- Director, 1998-present; Chair, 2003-2004; Chair-elect, 2002-2004; Secretary, 1999-2001 – Japan America Society of the State of Washington
- Director, 2006-2009, 2010-2013, 2014-2017; Japanese Language Grants Committee, 2006-present – Blakemore Foundation
- Chair, DWT Pro Bono and Public Service Committee, 2015-2017
- Chair, DWT Immigration Practice Group, 2011-2015

Professional Recognition

- Received the "Willard J. Wright Award for Outstanding Civic Activity," Davis Wright Tremaine, 2018
- Named as one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" in Immigration (Washington) by Chambers USA, 2007-2020; Received "Band 1" ranking, 2012-2017; "Senior Statesperson" designation, 2018-2020
- Named as one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in Immigration Law by Best Lawyers, 2010-present
- Recipient of the Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, Washington Commission for National and Community Service, 2014
- Pro Bono Award, Washington Chapter, American Immigration Lawyers' Association, 2007, 2013
- Pro Bono Award, King County Bar Association, 2007

Background

- Kelley Drye LLP, New York, N.Y., 1988-1994; resident in the Tokyo office, 1990-1994
- U.S. Army Judge Advocate,1982-1987; U.S. Armed Forces, Korea, 1983-1985; Military Traffic Management Command, New Jersey, 1985-1987

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