Vita
49; born in Brampton, Ontario, Canada; bachelor’s and law degrees from Wake Forest University; married with dog, Max.
Why he chose to specialize in this field
Impact. Through immigration law, I felt I could have an impact on many things including, most importantly, people’s lives. I help companies, employees, families, scientists, researchers, students, communities and the economy by helping immigrants. Also, I’m an immigrant myself, which makes that impact extra personal to me. I remember my family moving from Canada to the U.S. in 1980, going through the entire immigration process and becoming U.S. citizens shortly thereafter. I wanted to help people do what my family did.
What he’d be if not a lawyer
A real estate developer. I like to build and create things; it’s the artsy side in me.
Best advice received
“Do or do not. There is no try.” — Yoda.
Favorite place
Ireland. It has friendly people, great history and scenery, interesting pubs, and great beer. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can discuss politics in a pub with people, disagree with each other, and end up buying each other rounds of Guinness after. It’s all about the camaraderie and spirit. No hard feelings. That’s how it should be.
Favorite book
The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin. As a character in the novel points out, “The three-body system is a chaotic system. Tiny perturbations can be endlessly amplified. Its patterns of movement essentially cannot be mathematically predicted.” That’s life. It’s a complex and chaotic system, and we have to be humble to make our way through it.
Favorite movie
Casablanca. It appeals to the romantic in me, the one who knows that a person must always do their duty.
Passions
I’ve always loved playing guitar and traveling. But I also love everything nerdy, from the comic-based movies and TV shows to the nerdy discussions I have with my co-workers at the office.
