Open To Work
PUNNYA SHAJI
Work Preference
Summary
Detail-oriented U.S. Immigration Paralegal with 4+ years of experience and an AILA Accredited Paralegal Certification. Experienced in preparing employment-based and family-based immigration petitions, including EB-1A, NIW, H-1B, TN, E-2, O-1, AOS, and family-based cases. Skilled in drafting USCIS forms, petition support letters, compiling complex evidence packages, conducting legal research, managing client communications, and coordinating end-to-end case preparation. Proficient in case management systems, Adobe Acrobat, and quality control of immigration filings. A quick learner with a strong interest in leveraging new legal technologies, AI tools, and case management systems to improve efficiency, accuracy, and client service.
Overview
1
1
Certification
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Immigration Paralegal
Waypoint Immigration USA
04.2023 - Current
- Assisted in employment-based and family-based immigration petitions, including EB-1A, NIW, Adjustment of Status (AOS), Marriage-based applications, FOIA requests, Interfile, and withdrawal applications.
- Drafted petition cover letters and assembled complete immigration filing packages in compliance with USCIS requirements.
- Compiled and organized complex evidence packages, including EB-1A and NIW petitions, into bookmarked Adobe PDF files containing 50–2,000+ pages.
- Reviewed legal, technical, and foreign-language documents using translation tools to ensure accuracy and completeness of supporting evidence.
- Collected, reviewed, and accurately entered client information into the firm's immigration case management system.
- Generated USCIS forms using the firm's case management software and maintained accurate case records and status updates.
- Served as a primary point of contact for clients by providing case updates and responding to case-related inquiries.
- Conducted regular follow-ups with clients to obtain pending documents, completed questionnaires, reference letters, petition letters, forms, and other supporting evidence throughout the case lifecycle.
- Prepared document request lists and tracked outstanding client information to support timely case preparation.
- Organized and maintained electronic case files within the firm's cloud-based document management system.
- Created and maintained standardized templates, data integrity procedures, and workflow documentation to improve consistency across the paralegal team.
- Conducted legal and online research to support immigration petitions and case preparation.
- Performed quality control reviews of immigration filings using standardized checklists to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance before submission.
- Applied professional document formatting and presentation standards to produce well-structured, reader-friendly petition packages.
- Collaborated with attorneys and team members to manage multiple case assignments and meet filing deadlines.
Legal Writer
Path Law Group P.C
CA
01.2024 - 02.2025
- Efficiently convey pertinent information to legal teams regarding the progression and status of cases.
- Support lawyers in preparing supplementary documents, preparing evidentiary exhibits, and ensuring adherence to procedural stipulations and submission deadlines.
- Provide support to lawyers in preparing and submitting applications and petitions for both immigrants and non-immigrants.
- Examine, evaluate, and arrange documents and data from supplied materials.
- Evaluate and scrutinize case specifics to ascertain future steps.
- Prepare and coordinate the production of documents and responses to evidence requests.
- Carry out consistent case tracking and management.
SENIOR LEGAL ASSOCIATE
UNILAW GLOBAL SERVICES LLC
02.2022 - 03.2023
- Researched specific aspects of immigration law, drafted files, and managed deadlines.
- Prepared a high volume of nonimmigrant and immigrant petitions, applications and other immigration related work.
- Communicated with clients and attorneys to collect information and gather documents for filing.
- Prepared checklist and questionnaire for respective category of projects.
- Drafted correspondence, letters of support, and responses to Request for Evidence.
- Performed legal research and assisted with outbound global immigration matters.
- Tracked dates for scheduling appointment for visa interview as per the demand of the client.
- Provided assistance in visa fee filing process in consulate.
- Prepared, filed, scheduled appointment for E-2 nonimmigrant visa petition and assisted in filing the fee on attorney's request. Prepared the response letter for RFE, NOID and Denial notices if necessary. Prepared By-laws, letter of Intent, operating agreement and reviewed the business plan prepared for filing the business visa.
- Prepared letters for H1B and TN visa, filled I-129 with H &T supplement, and compiled the full package with the necessary supporting documents.
- Prepared the investment chart, petitioner's statement for the source of funds, SOF report for EB5 visa, initial filing of F-1, B1/B2, I-246 petition for stay of removal or deportation, Attorney's brief for Motion to reopen/reconsider.
- Effectively performed case management through the preparation and processing of visa applications I-485 Adjustment for Status and Family based immigration I-130 applications.
- Consular processing and waivers I-601A.
- Processed Immigrant visas; EB-1 extraordinary ability, multinational executive.
- Supervised personnel, evaluated, assigned tasks and trained paralegals exclusively in H-1B, TN, and E-2.
- Addressed the queries and issues of the clients.
- Prepared O1 visas.
- Prepared response letter for filing Appeal, Motion to Reopen, Motion to Reconsider, NOIR along with the required forms. Has been trained in L1A, EB2 NIW petitions.
LAWYER
VIDYASAGAR & ASSOCIATES
07.2021 - 02.2022
- Has been a knowledgeable and dedicated junior lawyer with 6 months of litigation experience, from Vidyasagar & Associates. Possesses experience in drafting civil and criminal cases. Proficient in deep and accurate research with quick turnarounds. Experience in explaining complicated matters to clients/laypeople and skills in interpreting various court decisions. Has got excellent language skills in communication and drafting.
Education
B.A LL. B -
His Highness Maharajas Law College
Ernakulam, Kerala, India01-2021
Higher Secondary Education -
St. George HSS
Idukki, Kerala, India01-2015
High School -
Winner's Public School
Karimannoor, Kerala, India01-2013
Skills
- RESEARCH
- COMMUNICATION
- CLIENT RELATION MANAGEMENT
- COVER LETTER AND PETITION DRAFTING
- EVIDENCE COMPILATION
- STRONG ATTENTION TO DETAIL
- PERSISTENT PROBLEM SOLVER
- NATURAL NEGOTIATOR
- HIGH LEVEL OF ACCURACY
- INQUISITIVE NATURE TO DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS
- DOCUMENT CONTROL
- CALENDARING AND SCHEDULING
OTHER
Had participated in various seminars and volunteered in extra curriculars both at school level and college level. Possesses various qualities that would come handy while doing the assigned job like team work, diligence, keen observation, eager to learn, easily adaptable in any situation etc. Got opportunity to Host programmes to honour High Court Judges.
INTERNSHIPS
- ADVOCATE OFFICE
- MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, KOCHI
- DISTRICT PROBATION OFFICE
- INTERNSHIP UNDER LEGAL MANAGER
- SUB DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION, MATTANCHERRY
Certification
- American Immigration Lawyers Association Online Paralegal Course
Timeline
Legal Writer
Path Law Group P.C
01.2024 - 02.2025
Immigration Paralegal
Waypoint Immigration USA
04.2023 - Current
SENIOR LEGAL ASSOCIATE
UNILAW GLOBAL SERVICES LLC
02.2022 - 03.2023
LAWYER
VIDYASAGAR & ASSOCIATES
07.2021 - 02.2022
B.A LL. B -
His Highness Maharajas Law College
Higher Secondary Education -
St. George HSS
High School -
Winner's Public School