Claire S. Pratt
Principal & Managing Attorney
e: claire [at] jspvisa [dot] com
p: (415) 434-1161

Claire is the firm's Managing Attorney. She is a principal of the firm and a Certified Specialist in Immigration & Nationality Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Claire practices in all areas of U.S. immigration law and manages the firm's legal, administrative, and operational teams. She is an expert in L-1 intracompany transferee visas and loves working with companies small and large to mobilize executives, managers, and key employees. Recognized as a leader in the field, she regularly organizes and speaks at local and national conferences and seminars on immigration subjects.

Claire is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and currently serves on the AILA National Department of State Liaison Committee. In 2020, Claire completed five years of service as an elected board member of AILA's Northern California Chapter, which has more than 1,000 members and is one of the largest and most active AILA Chapters. She continues to advise the current NorCal board as Chapter Organization Coordinator serving on the AILA NorCal Advisory Council.

Prior to joining the firm, Claire was selected for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Attorney General Honors Program, serving as Attorney Advisor to the San Francisco Immigration Court (EOIR). While earning her J.D. at Golden Gate University School of Law, she was Managing Editor of the Law Review’s three journals and published a case note. As an undergraduate at the University of Washington, she studied Political Science and was Co-Captain of the UW Sailing Team. She continues to enjoy competing in sailboat racing in the V15 fleet at the Treasure Island Sailing Center in San Francisco and is a three-time V15 National Champion. Claire grew up in Japan, the U.K., and across the U.S. and has called San Francisco home for 20 years.

Honors & Awards:

  • AILA National Department of State Liaison Committee, 2022 to present
  • AILA NorCal Chapter Organization Coordinator, 2020 to present
  • AILA NorCal Elected Board Member, 2015 to 2020
  • AILA NorCal Liaison to U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services San Francisco Field Office, 2011-2015, 2017-2018
  • Included in Northern California Super Lawyers®, 2015 to present (Rising Stars 2015-2018)
  • Included in Who’s Who Legal for Corporate Immigration, 2019 to present
  • Recipient of 2021 Client Choice™ (Lexology) Award for Corporate Immigration, which recognizes law firms and partners around the world that stand apart for excellent client care and quality of service, based solely on nominations by corporate counsel.
  • Bar Association of San Francisco’s (BASF) Barrister of the Year, 2010
  • Co-Chair, Barristers Immigration Section for BASF, 2010-2013
  • Pro bono volunteer, South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project

Memberships & Admissions:

  • State Bar of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. Immigration Courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals
  • American Civil Liberties Union
  • American Immigration Lawyers Association
  • Iranian American Bar Association
  • NAACP

Education:

  • B.A. University of Washington
  • J.D. (highest honors) Golden Gate University School of Law