ABA Career Counsel
Your Career Partner on the Web

Attorney By Attorney Career Profiles of the Profession Who? Name: Anton F. Mertens afmertens@sgrlaw.com Title: Partner What? Primary Practice Area & Subspecialty Fields: Business Immigration Law. When? In Practice Area: Since 1987 In the Legal Profession: Since 1987 Where? Employer: Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP http://www.sgrlaw.com Size/Sector: 170 attorneys/private law practice City/State: Atlanta, Georgia Law School: Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University, Macon, Georgia Undergraduate School/Degree: Mercer University/ B.A. in Mathematics Why? Pluses/Challenges of Practice Area: You come in contact with a lot of interesting people from all over the world. The challenge is having to deal with the Department of Labor and the Immigration and Naturalization Service on a daily basis. Core Skills/Key Knowledge Needed in Your Practice Area: You need good listening skills and an eye for detail. It goes without saying that good writing skills are very important. It also doesn't hurt to be fluent in one or more foreign languages. Advice to Lawyers and Law Students Interested in Your Practice Area: Learn as much as you can about foreign cultures, become fluent in another language, and become a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). How? Career Path to Current Position: As an associate in a law firm in Macon, Georgia, I started my immigration practice by working to obtain my own green card. I learned along the way and built up my skills and client base. I also practiced matrimonial law for nine years at the same time. I then moved to Atlanta to concentrate on business immigration matters exclusively. Two years after coming to Atlanta I joined Smith, Gambrell & Russell. Influences and Mentors: My wife, my parents, Dr. & Mrs. D.W. Rhame, Dr. Philip Bean. Suggested Reading About Your Practice Area: Become a member of AILA and you will have access to their InfoNet website. You can order all kinds of AILA publications on specific areas of immigration law. You may also want to order a subscription to Interpreter Releases. Job Search Techniques Used in Finding Your Position(s): I became involved in the State Bar of Georgia and the American Bar Association. My current position was a direct result of my membership in the International Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Bar Affiliations and Activities: I am a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA); the International Law section and the Coordinating Committee on Immigration Law of the American Bar Association and the Lawyers Club of Atlanta. I also serve on the Executive Committee of the International Law section of the State Bar of Georgia and act as Foreign Trade Adviser to the Consulate General of Belgium in Atlanta. I am a Fellow of The Lawyers Foundation of Georgia and a member of the World Trade Center Atlanta and The International Club of Atlanta. I also am active in the Alliance Française d' Atlanta, the French American Chamber of Commerce and the Belgian American Chamber of Commerce Southern Chapter. Recent Professional Publications: Workplace Compliance and Employer Sanctions under Federal Immigration Law, ICLE Seminar Materials, February 2002. Corporate Immigration Strategies for Foreign Personnel, ICLE Seminar Materials, April 2001. Business Immigration: A General Practitioner's Toolkit for Corporate Clients, ICLE Seminar Materials, February 2001. Recent Professional Presentations: Workplace Compliance and Employer Eligibility Verification under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), ICLE Seminar, Puerto Rico, February 2002. Workshop: Immigration Law Update, Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta, November 2001. Q&A about the Child Citizenship Act in the Chicago Whitesox Broadcast Booth with John Rooney, ABA Coordinating Committee on Immigration Law, August 2001. Is Your Company's Recruiting Competitive Under The New Immigration Law?, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Seminar, Jacksonville, Florida, July 2001. Is Your Company's Recruiting Competitive Under The New Immigration Law?, Technology Association of Georgia Seminar, Atlanta, July 2001. Employment Law Seminar, Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP, Atlanta, May 2001. SHRM Immigration Workshop, Atlanta, May 2001. Corporate Immigration Strategies for Foreign Personnel, ICLE Seminar, Atlanta, April 2001. New Benefits, New Obligations for H-1B Employers, SHRM Seminar, Virginia, April 2001. Business Immigration: A General Practitioner's Toolkit for Corporate Clients, ICLE Seminar, Puerto Vallarta, February 2001. Introduction to Immigration Law and Policy, ABA Coordinating Committee on Immigration Law Seminar, San Diego, February 2001. Memorable Career Moment: When I became a U.S. citizen in August of 1994. Intriguing Interests: Playing classical guitar and tennis. I also enjoy learning new languages.