Tejas Shah

Tejas Shah is a partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP in Chicago with a practice centered on immigration and global mobility law. With years of experience, he simplifies the complexities of immigration compliance for employers, higher education institutions, and individuals. His work covers employment-based immigration, compliance audits, family-based cases, deportation defense, and federal court litigation. He is especially committed to helping employers hire and retain top global talent while ensuring compliance with U.S. immigration laws.

Tejas earned his B.S. in economics from Duke University before obtaining his J.D. from George Washington University Law School. During law school, he clerked for the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., and later clerked for the Honorable Leon Kendall of the Superior Court of the U.S. Virgin Islands. He is admitted to practice in Illinois and New York and appears before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

In his corporate practice, Tejas assists employers across industries such as finance, healthcare, education, and technology in securing H-1B, O-1, E-2, R-1, E-3, and L-1 visas, as well as permanent residency through PERM certifications. He counsels businesses on self-audits, government audits, and wage and hour compliance. He also advises universities on international student and faculty matters, compliance with SEVP regulations, and sponsorship for visas and green cards. His individual immigration work includes representing investors, scientists, artists, and families in naturalization and litigation matters.

Tejas Shah is recognized for his leadership in the legal community, earning honors from Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America, Illinois Super Lawyers, and multiple diversity and service awards. He is active in Bar associations and nonprofit organizations, serving on boards and providing pro bono services through the National Immigrant Justice Center and Chicago Volunteer Legal Services. Fluent in English, French, Gujarati, and Hindi, Tejas brings cultural awareness and legal expertise to his advocacy.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
• Executive Board Member, South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA)
• Board Member, Indo-American Center of Chicago
• Former Chair, Illinois State Bar Association, International & Immigration Law Section
• Former President, Indian American Bar Association, Chicago Chapter
• Former Chair, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Chicago Chapter
• Member, New York State Bar Association

Licensed State

• Illinois
• New York

Education

• George Washington University Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Duke University
  BS in Economics

Awards & Badges