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Michael E. "Mike"
Wooley

  • Partner
mwooley@wnj.com
Midland
T 989.698.3715
F 989.486.6115

My admin

My clients fully appreciate that I take their businesses’ success very seriously and very personally. I don't view myself as an outsider. Once you retain me as your attorney, I’m on your team and will do what it takes to help you get where you need to be. When it seems that something can’t be done, my creativity and competitive nature kick in and I work as hard as possible to find a way to make it happen.

Bringing more than 25 years of experience to his practice, Michael Wooley focuses on inbound employment-based immigration. Mike works with C-level corporate officers and general counsel to formulate long-term immigration plans and short-term solutions for U.S. and international companies. With a “handcrafted” approach, Mike creates solutions tailored precisely to clients’ specific employment needs.

One health care industry client says: “[Mike] is incredibly knowledgeable and makes the immigration process a breeze for our physicians and dentists. He is prompt, responsive and our providers really like working with him. We would absolutely recommend him to the health care community and any business who employs professionals from other countries."

industries

practices

  • Works with investors and their families from the early stage of E non-immigrant visas through EB-5 immigrant investor visa status to obtain U.S. permanent residency and ultimately U.S. citizenship, if desired.
  • Advises employers of all sizes regarding complex H-1B issues, including wage and benefit obligations, cap gap issues and roving employees.
  • Represents multinational companies in obtaining visas and advises U.S. permanent resident employees on maintaining U.S. status while working abroad.
  • High approval record on labor certification applications for employees in numerous fields, including healthcare, higher education, information technology and engineering.
  • Represents highly skilled foreign nationals and their employers
  • Works with investors and their families from the early stage of E non-immigrant visas through EB-5 immigrant investor visa status to obtain U.S. permanent residency and ultimately U.S. citizenship, if desired.
  • Advises employers of all sizes regarding complex H-1B issues, including wage and benefit obligations, cap gap issues and roving employees.
  • Represents multinational companies in obtaining visas and advises U.S. permanent resident employees on maintaining U.S. status while working abroad.
  • High approval record on labor certification applications for employees in numerous fields, including healthcare, higher education, information technology and engineering.
  • Represents highly skilled foreign nationals and their employers regarding permanent resident categories for outstanding researchers, persons of extraordinary ability in their field and persons whose work impacts national interest.
  • Counsels agribusiness entities, including large scale dairy farms, on  immigration and associated foreign ownership issues.
  • Works with hospitals and other healthcare providers in hiring foreign medical professionals, such as physicians requiring J-1 waivers.
  • Counsels colleges and universities in obtaining both temporary worker and permanent resident status for professors.
  • Advises individuals on family-based immigration and naturalization, as well as derivative citizenship issues.
  • “Augmenting Your FQHC Workforce with Foreign Health Care Providers,” Michigan County Medical Care Facilities Council: 2022 Fall Financial, November 3, 2022, Thompsonville, Michigan
  • “Health Center Workforce: Investing in Your Human Capital“, Michigan Primary Care Association’s 2022 Workforce Summit, October 6, 2022
  • “Labor Shortages? How to Use Nonimmigrant Visas to Attract and Hire Foreign Talent,” Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership and Warner Presentation, July 27, 2021, Owosso, Michigan
  • “Presidential Proclamations and Travel Bans,” Warner 2020 HR Executive Panel, October 7, 2020
  • “Rethinking Your Workforce Strategies from Recruitment to Retention,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, May 7, 2019, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • “Avenues for New Physicians to Work in the U.S.,” Canadian Osteopathic Student Organization, April 18, 2019, Michigan State University – College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lansing, Michigan
  • “Immigration Overview for the Michigan Colleges Alliance,” February 21, 2019, Lansing, Michigan
  • “Immigration Law Update,” Warner 2018 HR Executive Briefing, September 21, 2018, Marquette, Michigan
  • “Updates on Immigration for Healthcare Providers,” Michigan Recruitment and Retention Network Annual Conference, August 20, 2018, Traverse City, Michigan
  • “Business Visas,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, May 3, 2018, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • “Avenues for New Physicians to Work in the U.S.”, Canadian Osteopathic Student Organization, February 26, 2018, Michigan State University – College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lansing, Michigan
  • “Updates on Immigration Changes for Providers,” Michigan Recruitment and Retention Network Annual Conference, August 15, 2017, Traverse City, Michigan
  • “Immigration Overview for Higher Education HR Professionals,” Ohio CUPA-HR Spring Conference, March 23, 2017, Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio
  • “Managing an Evolving Workforce,” Warner Labor & Benefits Executive Panel, October 21, 2016, Traverse City, Michigan, October 25, 2016, Midland, Michigan
  • Guest Television Panelist, discussing “Immigration Reform,” Somos Hispanos with Santiago Peregino, Delta College Public Television, Sunday, September 21, 2014
  • Guest Speaker, Sterling Education Services, Immigration Law: I-9, E-verify and SSN Mismatch Letters, Bay Valley Resort, October 15, 2013, Bay City, Michigan
  • Guest Television Panelist, discussing “S.44 Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act,” Somos Hispanos with Santiago Peregino, Delta College Public Television, Sunday, September 22, 2013
  • Guest Panelist, CMU “Speak Up, Speak Out” series, Immigration in the U.S., Central Michigan University, February 23, 2011, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
  • Guest Speaker, American Society of Employers, E-Verify and Social Security No-match Obligations, Saginaw Valley State University, September 25, 2009, University Center, Michigan
  • Guest Speaker, American Society of Employers, Employment Eligibility Verification: What Every Employer Should Know, Saginaw Valley State University, July 25, 2008, University Center, Michigan
  • Guest Speaker, American Society of Employers, E-Verify and Revised Form I-9: How Do the New Rules Affect Your Business?, Saginaw Valley State University, June 26, 2008, University Center, Michigan
  • Guest Speaker, Michigan Association of County Clerks, Marriage Applications – Identity Documents, Shanty Creek Resort, April 11, 2008, Bellaire, Michigan
  • Guest Speaker, Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, Diversity in the Workplace: It Will Affect Your Business – Immigration Law and Employer Liability, Horizons Conference Center, October 2007, Saginaw, Michigan
  • Guest Panelist, Consulate of Mexico in Detroit, Immigration Clinic, February 17, 2005, Detroit, Michigan
  • Guest Speaker, Ave Maria School of Law, Immigration Issues Relating to Foreign Physicians, 2001-2005, Ann Arbor, Michigan

    Testimonials

    “Great Lakes Bay Health Centers has worked with Michael Wooley for over five years. He is incredibly knowledgeable and makes the immigration process a breeze for our physicians and dentists. He is prompt, responsive and our providers really like working with him. We would absolutely recommend him to the health care community and any business who employs professionals from other countries.” –Lisa Galonska, Executive Vice President for Great Lakes Bay Health Centers

    * * *

    “My professional association with Mr. Wooley started in the early 2000s when I was vice president for academic affairs at Saginaw Valley State University. During those years, I hired a handful of faculty members from China, India and Taiwan, and Mr. Wooley provided excellent experience and effective service in handling their immigration papers. Most have become valuable members. I retired from Saginaw Valley State University in 2006 and in my new capacity as vice president for international affairs of Ming Chuan University, a Taiwan-based higher education institution, the first and only university in Asia accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, I continue to utilize Mr. Wooley’s services. Recently, Mr.Wooley successfully processed an application for an H-1B visa for a staff member of Ming Chuan University-Michigan in Taiwan. Mr. Wooley is a trusted legal counsel and his service is professional, responsive, prompt and clear. He delivers!” – Robert S. P. Y., Taipei, Taiwan

    Image for Michael E. “Mike” Wooley

    Michael E. "Mike"
    Wooley

    • Partner
    mwooley@wnj.com
    Midland
    T 989.698.3715
    F 989.486.6115

    My admin

    Biography|
    Credentials

    My clients fully appreciate that I take their businesses’ success very seriously and very personally. I don't view myself as an outsider. Once you retain me as your attorney, I’m on your team and will do what it takes to help you get where you need to be. When it seems that something can’t be done, my creativity and competitive nature kick in and I work as hard as possible to find a way to make it happen.

    Bringing more than 25 years of experience to his practice, Michael Wooley focuses on inbound employment-based immigration. Mike works with C-level corporate officers and general counsel to formulate long-term immigration plans and short-term solutions for U.S. and international companies. With a “handcrafted” approach, Mike creates solutions tailored precisely to clients’ specific employment needs.

    One health care industry client says: “[Mike] is incredibly knowledgeable and makes the immigration process a breeze for our physicians and dentists. He is prompt, responsive and our providers really like working with him. We would absolutely recommend him to the health care community and any business who employs professionals from other countries."

    industries

    practices

    • “Augmenting Your FQHC Workforce with Foreign Health Care Providers,” Michigan County Medical Care Facilities Council: 2022 Fall Financial, November 3, 2022, Thompsonville, Michigan
    • “Health Center Workforce: Investing in Your Human Capital“, Michigan Primary Care Association’s 2022 Workforce Summit, October 6, 2022
    • “Labor Shortages? How to Use Nonimmigrant Visas to Attract and Hire Foreign Talent,” Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership and Warner Presentation, July 27, 2021, Owosso, Michigan
    • “Presidential Proclamations and Travel Bans,” Warner 2020 HR Executive Panel, October 7, 2020
    • “Rethinking Your Workforce Strategies from Recruitment to Retention,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, May 7, 2019, Grand Rapids, Michigan
    • “Avenues for New Physicians to Work in the U.S.,” Canadian Osteopathic Student Organization, April 18, 2019, Michigan State University – College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lansing, Michigan
    • “Immigration Overview for the Michigan Colleges Alliance,” February 21, 2019, Lansing, Michigan
    • “Immigration Law Update,” Warner 2018 HR Executive Briefing, September 21, 2018, Marquette, Michigan
    • “Updates on Immigration for Healthcare Providers,” Michigan Recruitment and Retention Network Annual Conference, August 20, 2018, Traverse City, Michigan
    • “Business Visas,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, May 3, 2018, Grand Rapids, Michigan
    • “Avenues for New Physicians to Work in the U.S.”, Canadian Osteopathic Student Organization, February 26, 2018, Michigan State University – College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lansing, Michigan
    • “Updates on Immigration Changes for Providers,” Michigan Recruitment and Retention Network Annual Conference, August 15, 2017, Traverse City, Michigan
    • “Immigration Overview for Higher Education HR Professionals,” Ohio CUPA-HR Spring Conference, March 23, 2017, Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio
    • “Managing an Evolving Workforce,” Warner Labor & Benefits Executive Panel, October 21, 2016, Traverse City, Michigan, October 25, 2016, Midland, Michigan
    • Guest Television Panelist, discussing “Immigration Reform,” Somos Hispanos with Santiago Peregino, Delta College Public Television, Sunday, September 21, 2014
    • Guest Speaker, Sterling Education Services, Immigration Law: I-9, E-verify and SSN Mismatch Letters, Bay Valley Resort, October 15, 2013, Bay City, Michigan
    • Guest Television Panelist, discussing “S.44 Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act,” Somos Hispanos with Santiago Peregino, Delta College Public Television, Sunday, September 22, 2013
    • Guest Panelist, CMU “Speak Up, Speak Out” series, Immigration in the U.S., Central Michigan University, February 23, 2011, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
    • Guest Speaker, American Society of Employers, E-Verify and Social Security No-match Obligations, Saginaw Valley State University, September 25, 2009, University Center, Michigan
    • Guest Speaker, American Society of Employers, Employment Eligibility Verification: What Every Employer Should Know, Saginaw Valley State University, July 25, 2008, University Center, Michigan
    • Guest Speaker, American Society of Employers, E-Verify and Revised Form I-9: How Do the New Rules Affect Your Business?, Saginaw Valley State University, June 26, 2008, University Center, Michigan
    • Guest Speaker, Michigan Association of County Clerks, Marriage Applications – Identity Documents, Shanty Creek Resort, April 11, 2008, Bellaire, Michigan
    • Guest Speaker, Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, Diversity in the Workplace: It Will Affect Your Business – Immigration Law and Employer Liability, Horizons Conference Center, October 2007, Saginaw, Michigan
    • Guest Panelist, Consulate of Mexico in Detroit, Immigration Clinic, February 17, 2005, Detroit, Michigan
    • Guest Speaker, Ave Maria School of Law, Immigration Issues Relating to Foreign Physicians, 2001-2005, Ann Arbor, Michigan

      Testimonials

      “Great Lakes Bay Health Centers has worked with Michael Wooley for over five years. He is incredibly knowledgeable and makes the immigration process a breeze for our physicians and dentists. He is prompt, responsive and our providers really like working with him. We would absolutely recommend him to the health care community and any business who employs professionals from other countries.” –Lisa Galonska, Executive Vice President for Great Lakes Bay Health Centers

      * * *

      “My professional association with Mr. Wooley started in the early 2000s when I was vice president for academic affairs at Saginaw Valley State University. During those years, I hired a handful of faculty members from China, India and Taiwan, and Mr. Wooley provided excellent experience and effective service in handling their immigration papers. Most have become valuable members. I retired from Saginaw Valley State University in 2006 and in my new capacity as vice president for international affairs of Ming Chuan University, a Taiwan-based higher education institution, the first and only university in Asia accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, I continue to utilize Mr. Wooley’s services. Recently, Mr.Wooley successfully processed an application for an H-1B visa for a staff member of Ming Chuan University-Michigan in Taiwan. Mr. Wooley is a trusted legal counsel and his service is professional, responsive, prompt and clear. He delivers!” – Robert S. P. Y., Taipei, Taiwan