Stephen H. Smalley

For more than two decades, Steve Smalley has been a trusted advisor that global employers—from Fortune 100 multinationals to high-growth startups—turn to for strategic, business-focused immigration counsel. A founding architect of Ogletree Deakins’ outbound global mobility practice, Steve delivers seamless, single-source immigration solutions that align with each client’s commercial objectives, compliance obligations, and talent-management goals.

Steve’s practice spans the full spectrum of corporate immigration and related employment law. He designs and manages worldwide immigration programs; guides clients through every visa, work authorization, and permanent residence category; and coordinates cross-border matters in partnership with an established network of local counsel in more than 100 jurisdictions. Whether orchestrating large-scale workforce moves or solving one-off executive transfers, Steve is known for crafting pragmatic, cost-effective strategies that keep business moving.

A recognized thought leader on immigration compliance, Steve is a leader of Ogletree Deakins’ national Immigration Compliance Team. He has defended employers in numerous government investigations and enforcement actions involving:

• I-9 audits and worksite inspections by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• Discrimination claims brought by the Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) of the U.S. Department of Justice and the DOJ Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer (OCAHO)
• Wage-and-hour H-2A farmworker and H-1B Labor Condition Application investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor
• Social Security “no-match” and identity-theft inquiries
• Export-control licensing issues connected to foreign national employees

Clients value Steve’s ability to pair deep technical knowledge with a clear understanding of their industry realities. He has particular experience advising companies in banking and financial services, information technology, manufacturing, healthcare, biotech, life sciences, and retail.

A speaker at national and international conferences, Steve trains legal, HR, and mobility professionals on cutting-edge immigration topics, including program design, compliance best practices, and global workforce planning. He holds a Yellow Belt certification in Legal Lean Sigma, reflecting his commitment to process improvement and data-driven service delivery.

Earlier in his career, Steve practiced in Washington, D.C., in partnership with the former Commissioner of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and previously handled civil litigation matters. This litigation background equips him with the advocacy skills needed to protect employers when government scrutiny escalates.

Steve has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America and Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite for immigration law.

With Steve, clients receive more than just immigration advice—they gain a strategic partner dedicated to unlocking global talent and safeguarding compliance so their businesses can thrive worldwide.