Overview
Representative Work
Activities & Membership
Awards & Recognition
News & Publications
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Overview
Melina represents regional and international companies in matters related to employment-based immigration. Melina has successfully handled immigration matters for multinational corporations and regional technology firms, health care providers, and universities on non-immigrant and immigrant visa options and procedures including Conrad 30 waivers, PERM Applications and Naturalization Applications, and Extraordinary Ability Petitions.
Melina was chair for the Oregon Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association from 2016 to 2018 and Liaison to the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles for five years. She served for two years at Portland State University’s Immigration Clinic and currently mentors first year law students at Lewis & Clark. Melina is a frequent speaker on employment-related immigration.
Prior to joining Tonkon Torp, Melina practiced immigration law at a boutique firm in Portland. Before she earned her law degree, Melina worked for more than eight years as an immigration paralegal in the Portland area, she lived in Tokyo for one year, and she had a brief career as an editor in New York City.
Melina was chair for the Oregon Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association from 2016 to 2018 and Liaison to the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles for five years. She served for two years at Portland State University’s Immigration Clinic and currently mentors first year law students at Lewis & Clark. Melina is a frequent speaker on employment-related immigration.
Prior to joining Tonkon Torp, Melina practiced immigration law at a boutique firm in Portland. Before she earned her law degree, Melina worked for more than eight years as an immigration paralegal in the Portland area, she lived in Tokyo for one year, and she had a brief career as an editor in New York City.
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Get To Know
Before pursuing law, Melina worked as an editor at a science text book company in New York City. She has lived in Tokyo, Japan and Quito, Ecuador. A fluent Spanish speaker, she enjoys travel abroad with her family. Closer to home, Melina likes to hike and garden, and can often be found cheering on the sidelines of her children’s soccer games.
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Featured Work
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Community Involvement & Activities
American Immigration Lawyers Association
Oregon Chapter Chair
2016-2018
Department of Motor Vehicles
2011–2016, Liaison
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Professional Memberships
American Immigration Lawyers Association
Multnomah Bar Association
Portland Human Resources Management Association
Multnomah Bar Association
Portland Human Resources Management Association
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Awards & Recognitions
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Recent News
6.5.2018
Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar Showcases HR Superpowers
On May 10, attorneys from the Tonkon Torp Labor & Employment and Business Immigration practice groups hosted their annual Employment Law Seminar at the Oregon Zoo for nearly 200 human resource professionals and other business leaders. The 2018…
12.8.2017
Tonkon Torp Previews 2018 Immigration Landscape for Employers
Turid Owren, Alan Perkins, Melina LaMorticella, and Melany Savitt hosted an immigration law breakfast briefing for employers on December 7. The group gave a preview of the 2018 immigration landscape under the Trump Administration, discussing the…
8.25.2017
Tonkon Torp Hosts Encore of Popular Immigration Briefing
Due to popular demand, Tonkon Torp Business Immigration lawyers Turid Owren, Alan Perkins, Melina LaMorticella, and Melany Savitt, along with Labor & Employment attorney Kristin Bremer Moore, hosted an encore immigration briefing for employers…
7.10.2017
Tonkon Torp Briefs Employers on Worksite Enforcement and I-9 Issues
Tonkon Torp Business Immigration lawyers Turid Owren, Alan Perkins, Melina LaMorticella, and Melany Savitt, along with Labor & Employment attorney Kristin Bremer Moore, hosted a recent immigration law breakfast briefing for employers. The group spoke…
6.20.2017
Melina LaMorticella Moderates Panel on Business Immigration in the Healthcare Industry
On June 16, Tonkon Torp Business Immigration attorney Melina LaMorticella moderated a panel discussion for the Health Law Section of the Oregon State Bar on how immigration law impacts healthcare delivery. The discussion kicked off with an overview…
5.8.2017
Tonkon Torp Hosts 2017 Labor and Employment Law Seminar
On May 4, attorneys from the Tonkon Torp Labor & Employment and Business Immigration practice groups hosted their annual Employment Law Seminar at the Oregon Zoo for nearly 200 human resource professionals and other business leaders. The 2017 seminar…
3.8.2017
Tonkon Torp Immigration Practice Group Prepares Employers for H-1B Cap Season
On February 15, Tonkon Torp’s Immigration Practice Group held a breakfast briefing to help employers prepare for the April 2017 H-1B Cap season and to discuss how the Trump Administration could impact the program going forward. Attorneys Turid Owren…
3.8.2017
As Immigration Policy Shifts, Smarter Strategies Are Key
Tonkon Torp's Business Immigration practice group is the subject of a brand story published in the March issue of Oregon Business Magazine. The article features quotes from Turid Owren, Alan Perkins, Melany Savitt, and Melina LaMorticella and…
3.6.2017
Tonkon Torp Immigration Attorneys Speak at NW AILA Conference
Tonkon Torp's immigration attorneys spoke at the Northwest American Immigration Lawyer Association (AILA) conference that ran March 2-3. Melina LaMorticella was a co-presenter for an introduction to the basics of employment-based immigration.
2.6.2017
Tonkon Torp Focuses on Business Immigration at February Tonkon Talk
At the February 1 Tonkon Talk, attorneys from the firm's Business Immigration practice group spoke about business immigration issues that impact entrepreneurs and startups. Turid Owren, Alan Perkins, Melany Savitt, and Melina LaMorticella covered…
2.2.2017
Business Immigration Attorneys Help Employers Respond to Immigration Ban
As swiftly as the Portland business community offered its response to President Trump’s Executive Orders related to immigration, Tonkon Torp’s Business Immigration attorneys began to roll out guidance and programming to help Oregon companies with…
12.12.2016
Tonkon Torp Immigration Group Helps Employers Prepare for 2017
On November 16, Tonkon Torp's Immigration practice group hosted a breakfast briefing to help employers prepare for visa and green card updates coming in 2017 and to review important immigration recordkeeping requirements that impact all businesses…
10.21.2016
Tonkon Torp Sponsors AILA Oregon Gala
Led by our Immigration practice group, Tonkon Torp was a premiere sponsor at the 2016 American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Oregon Gala on October 20. Melina LaMorticella, chair of AILA's Oregon chapter, attended the event along with Turid…
7.6.2016
LaMorticella Elected Chair of AILA Oregon Chapter
Tonkon Torp attorney Melina LaMorticella has been elected Chair of the Oregon Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). A member of Tonkon Torp’s Business Immigration practice group, LaMorticella represents regional and…
5.26.2016
LaMorticella and Savitt Lead CLE for the Oregon Chapter of AILA
On May 20, Tonkon Torp Business Immigration attorneys Melina LaMorticella and Melany Savitt presented a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program on employment-based immigration to members of the Oregon chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers…
4.18.2016
Tonkon Torp Attorneys Cover Key Topics at Immigration Law Conference
On March 17 and 18, three attorneys from Tonkon Torp’s Business Immigration practice spoke at the 2016 NW Regional Immigration Law Conference held in Seattle. Melany Savitt spoke about alternatives to H-1B cap-subject petitions while Kwang-yi Ger…
2.8.2016
Time to Prepare for H-1B Cap Season
Tonkon Torp’s Business Immigration Practice Group hosted a seminar on January 29 to discuss H-1Bs, the quota, and related processes and issues in advance of the government’s April 1-7 petition filing window. Kwang-yi Ger Gale, Haley Bjerk and Melina…
10.23.2015
Tonkon Torp Sponsors Annual AILA Gala
Tonkon Torp was a presenting sponsor at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Gala on October 22. Melina LaMorticella managed Tonkon's involvement with the event and attended along with clients, and seven members of the firm's…
10.1.2015
Tonkon Torp Immigration Group Holds Breakfast Briefing
Tonkon Torp's Immigration practice group hosted a breakfast briefing to provide a practical review of immigration recordkeeping requirements that impact all businesses, HR professionals, and employers. The attorneys provided a deep dive into Form I-9…
6.11.2015
Melina LaMorticella Named Chair-Elect of AILA Oregon Chapter
Tonkon Torp attorney Melina LaMorticella is the new Chair-Elect of the Oregon Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). A member of Tonkon Torp’s Business Immigration practice group, LaMorticella represents regional and…
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Publications & Presentations
"Worksite Enforcement, Compliance Best Practices & Forms I-9," June 2017
"What Immigration Means to Healthcare Delivery in Oregon," Oregon State Bar Health Law Section, June 2017
"H-1B Cap Season 2017 and Trump Administration Executive Orders," February 2017
"Business Immigration 2017," February 2017
"Employment-Based Immigration," American Immigration Lawyers Association, Oregon Chapter, May 2016
"Recent Developments in L Visas," Northwest Regional Immigration Law Conference, American Immigration Lawyers Association, March 2016
"INA 204(l) – Navigating the Law for Surviving Relatives and Others Measures of Extraordinary Relief," Northwest Regional Immigration Law Conference, American Immigration Lawyers Association, March 2015
"The Role of the Human Resource Department in Facilitating International Assignments," Global Special Interest Group of PHRMA, February 2015
"Getting Ready for H-1B Cap Season," January 2016