Joshua Joseph Despain

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Summary

J.J. Despain is a managing attorney in Boise for W&O’. He is admitted to the Colorado State Bar and practices mostly family-based and employment-based immigration law. J.J. has represented clients in over 100 interviews with USCIS. He has participated in events at community centers in both Utah and Idaho to present issues in immigration law and speak about the many possibilities available to potential clients. J.J. graduated from Brigham Young University, where he earned a bachelor of arts in communications with an emphasis in print journalism. He spent two years as an opinions editor, sports editor, and web editor for the campus newspaper, The Daily Universe. J.J. also earned minors in both Spanish and political science. After his undergraduate studies, J.J. attended law school at the University of Iowa College of Law. In Iowa, J.J. was the president of the student chapter of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society, a managing editor of the Iowa Law Review, a judicial clerk for the Honorable Stephanie M. Rose of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, and was involved with the Latino Law Students Association and Sports Law Society.

J.J. previously worked with Catholic Charities of Central Texas in Austin, Texas, where he led the office’s DACA renewal process for clients, and also assisted with U-visas and I-601A waivers. He also worked in Austin with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid on cases involving housing disputes. Back in Iowa City, J.J. assisted with Cole & Vondra, PC, in putting on Know Your Rights seminars for the local immigrant community, and with the Iowa Legal Aid Pro Bono Project.

In his spare time, J.J. enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, exploring the Idaho outdoors, drawing, watching sports (especially BYU), and watching movies. J.J. and his family live in Boise.

Education

University of Iowa: J.D. (2015) | Law; 2012 - 2015; Honors: Boyd Service Award with Highest Honors Pro Bono Society; Activities: Managing Editor of the Iowa Law Review President of J. Reuben Clark Law Society Latino Law Students Association International Law Society Sports Law Society Texas RioGrande Legal Aid Iowa Legal Aid Pro Bono Project Immigration Know Your Rights Seminar

Brigham Young University: B.A. (2011) | Communications; 2005 - 2011; Activities: Minor in Spanish Minor in political science

Professional Experience

Managing attorney: Wilner & O'Reilly APLC; 2019 - Current

Associate attorney: Wilner & O'Reilly APLC; 2016 - Current; Practicing family-based immigration (U-visas; I-601A, I-601, and I-212 waivers; I-130 petitions; I-360 petitions, e.g., VAWA petitions and SIJS petitions; consular processing; adjustment of status; K1 visas; asylum) Practicing employment-based immigration (PERM labor certifications; I-140 petitions; H visas; E-2 visas; L-1 visas; TN visas) Advocating for clients in U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services interviews Representing clients in Executive Office for Immigration Review hearings Leading CLE seminars for the firm’s attorneys and paralegals Mentoring legal interns Presenting immigration issues at community events in Utah and Idaho Publication: H-1B Visa Program, RIVERSIDE LAWYER, vol. 68, no. 9, pp. 8–9 (Oct. 2018)

Managing editor: Iowa Law Review; 2014 - 2015; Edited articles and notes, focusing on Bluebook format and other technical aspects

Legal intern: Catholic Charities of Central Texas - Immigration Legal Services; 2014 - 2014; Led DACA status renewal process, including interviewing clients, and preparing applications Interviewed clients and prepared their applications, usually in Spanish, for U-visas, I-601A waivers

Judicial extern for The Honorable Stephanie Rose: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa; 2014 - 2014; Wrote and researched for drafts of memoranda and orders Observed trials and hearings with judicial clerks

Publications

Articles & Publications