American College of Trial Lawyers Chooses Lukey

Notable Attorneys

WilmerHale Partner Joan Lukeywas selected on March 5 to become the next President-Elect of theAmerican College of Trial Lawyers’ (ACTL). Ms. Lukey is the first womanever to serve in this capacity and was chosen for the role by the PastPresidents of this prestigious organization. She will serve asTreasurer and President-Elect Designate until September, when she willofficially assume her new position.

Ms. Lukey willautomatically ascend to the position of President at the Annual Meetingof the ACTL held in Boston in October of 2009.

"This is theproudest achievement of my professional career,” Ms. Lukey said. “Tohave risen to the highest level in this organization comprised of thoseattorneys who have been recognized as the best of the trial bar is bothexhilarating and humbling."

The ACTL is composed of Fellowswho represent the finest of the trial bar in the US and Canada. Foundedin 1950, the College is dedicated to maintaining and improving thestandards of trial practice and the administration of justice.Membership in the college is by invitation only after a rigorousscreening process involving current Fellows and state and federaljudges in the state or province in which a nominee practices.

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USCIS Adjusting Premium Processing Fee

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today it is adjusting the premium processing fee for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker and Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers beginning on Oct. 1, 2018 to more effectively adjudicate petitions and maintain effective service to petitioners.

The premium processing fee will increase to $1,410, a 14.92 percent increase (after rounding) from the current fee of $1,225. This increase, which is done in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act, represents the percentage change in inflation since the fee was last increased in 2010 based on the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers.

“Because premium processing fees have not been adjusted since 2010, our ability to improve the adjudications and service processes for all petitioners has been hindered as we’ve experienced significantly higher demand for immigration benefits. Ultimately, adjusting the premium processing fee will allow us to continue making necessary investments in staff and technology to administer various immigration benefit requests more effectively and efficiently,” said Chief Financial Officer Joseph Moore. “USCIS will continue adjudicating all petitions on a case-by-case basis to determine if they meet all standards required under applicable law, policies, and regulations.”

Premium processing is an optional service that is currently authorized for certain petitioners filing Forms I-129 or I-140. The system allows petitioners to request 15-day processing of certain employment-based immigration benefit requests if they pay an extra fee. The premium processing fee is paid in addition to the base filing fee and any other applicable fees, which cannot be waived.