Martin, Timothy S.

Jonathan McNeil Wong is a partner of the firm specializing in immigration and nationality law, labor relations, personnel matters, and employment practices.

Mr. Wong heads the firm's immigration and nationality law practice, advising and representing domestic and international companies that are hiring foreign nationals to work in the United States. He recommends immigration strategies to employers and represents them before the Departments of State and Homeland Security. He has handled the immigration process for U.S. companies seeking the services of foreign engineers, scientists, technical specialists, and marketing and operations personnel in diverse business sectors ranging from architecture to zoological science. He is also experienced in the transfer of foreign executives, managers, and other key personnel to American branches of foreign companies. In employment circumstances involving access to trade secrets and other proprietary information, he assists employers in evaluating the alien's background and structuring a relationship that protects his clients' interests.

An experienced litigator, Mr. Wong counsels employers and defends them against claims of wrongful termination, discrimination and sexual harassment, and other employment-related issues. He has also represented plaintiffs in employment-related litigation. He has served as trial counsel in multiple trials, has represented clients in numerous mediations and arbitrations, and has successfully argued his clients' cases before California and federal appeals courts. He was lead counsel for instatement procedures and was responsible for negotiating the settlement of all claims made by 1200 employees in a class action lawsuit settled by a consent decree.

Mr. Wong advises employers on personnel disputes, employee discipline, demotions, and terminations. He drafts and reviews employee policy manuals, checking for compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations. He also counsels employers on workplace safety and OSHA compliance and on the implications of the Americans With Disabilities Act. He assists employers in complying with federal, state, and local requirements governing wages, hours, and other conditions of employment and defends them in administrative proceedings brought by government agencies. He has authored a comprehensive employee policy manual, which is available to clients of the firm. As part of his employment and labor law practice, Mr. Wong negotiates and drafts employment agreements for key employees, executives, and officers. His labor relations practice concentrates on advising employers regarding union elections, employee grievances, contract interpretation and collective bargaining strategies and techniques.

Mr. Wong received his law degree in 1982 from King Hall, University of California at Davis, where he was an editor of the U.C. Davis Law Review. He received his B.A. degree in 1979 from Pomona College, where he was a National Merit Scholar and served as Public Service Director of the campus radio station.

He is a member of the State Bar of California and the American Immigration Lawyers Association and a Past President of the Alameda County Bar Association. He is a Director and Past President of the Volunteer Legal Services Corporation of Alameda County and the recipient of multiple awards from the State Bar of California for his provision of pro bono legal services to the poor. His languages include French, German, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese.