Lee Gibbs Depret-Bixio

Ms. Depret-Bixio represents employers of all sizes and industries.  She works closely with her clients to develop and implement strategic immigration solutions.  She has substantial experience working with healthcare and hospital systems, airline carriers, automotive manufacturers and suppliers, electronic component manufacturers, financial services, educational institutions, utilities and technology-related companies.

• Assists clients obtain nonimmigrant “work visas” for its foreign employees including the B, E, H, J, L, O, P, Q, and TN visa categories. She also works with healthcare systems to obtain J-1 waivers (“Conrad Waivers”) and H-1B visas for eligible physicians.
• Assists employers obtain permanent immigrant visas (commonly referred to as “green cards”) based on extraordinary ability, outstanding researcher, multinational executive and manager, and labor certification (“PERM”) strategies
• Advises employers on state and federal employment verification and compliance requirements. Assists them with compliance issues including internal I-9 audits, government investigations, mismatched Social Security numbers, E-Verify and in developing corporate compliance programs
• Provides customized training to clients on immigration matters, including such topics as: Immigration 101, I-9 verification, and Green Card/PERM “labor certification” strategies.

Education

• J.D., University of South Carolina, 2003
• B.A., Hollins College, 1989

Admission to Practice

• South Carolina

• South Carolina Bar Association Wellness Committee
• Richland County Bar Association
• American Immigration Lawyers Association
• National Association of Women Lawyers
• South Carolina Women Lawyers Association
• Volunteer Tutor, United Way’s Midlands Reading Consortium

• Ogletree Deakins Immigration Insights Symposium – “Reel Ethics: Challenging Ethical Situations From the Big Screen” – October 1, 2020
• Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Business Immigration in Uncertain and Changing Times” – New Orleans – November 15, 2019
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Building a Successful Immigration Program: Key Planning Considerations for Active Businesses” – Las Vegas – May 4, 2019
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “The Rest of the Iceberg: The Heavy Impact of Informal Immigration Enforcement Shifts” – Phoenix – May 10, 2018
• Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Stopped at the Border? How Recent Immigration Actions Affect the Workplace” – Boca Raton – November 10, 2017

• 2010 – Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce newsletter – “Immigration Reform Law Set to Affect All South Carolina Employers”
• 2008 – Mechanical Contractors Association of S.C. newsletter – “New S.C. Immigration Legislation Impacts ALL S.C. Employers: How will it affect you?”

• October 21, 2014 – Fast Casual – “5 Steps for Keeping Your Restaurant from Getting ICE'd”
• April 12, 2010 – The State – “More Citations Expected in the Future”
• August 18, 2009 – Charleston Regional Business Journal – “Immigration Audits Concern Businesses”
• June 20, 2009 – The Post and Courier – “Companies Preparing for New Law”
• January 8, 2009 – The State – “Companies Advised to Check Hires in Database”
• December 16, 2008 – The Post and Courier – “South Carolina Immigrant Employee Law Takes Effect Next Month”
• October 9, 2008 – The State – “New Law Puzzles S.C. Businesses”

• Best Lawyers in America (2023)
• 2018 Legal Elite – Columbia Business Monthly