Meredith W. Barnette has always been fascinated by the history of the United States as a melting pot, in which seemingly everyone has a different background and story.

That interest in learning about other people’s experiences led her to the field of immigration law. Meredith has practiced U.S. Immigration Law since 2006 and was an immigration paralegal before becoming an attorney.

She represents employers and employees in a variety of industries including, but not limited to, manufacturing, information technology, medicine and academia. She has extensive experience in the preparation of nonimmigrant visa petitions as well as extraordinary ability, outstanding researcher and multinational executive and manager immigrant petitions.

Meredith also has significant experience with the PERM process for lawful permanent residence and manages the firm’s EB-5 practice.

When she’s not working, Meredith enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, reading and watching movies.

Classes/Seminars

  • Speaker, “Beyond OPT,” University of North Carolina Charlotte, April 2019
  • Speaker, "Alternatives to the H-1B Visa: Hope After Reaching the Cap," Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm Quarterly Webinar, June 2018
  • Speaker, “Immigration Law Overview,” University of North Carolina Charlotte, April 2016, April 2017 and April 2018
  • Speaker, "Nonimmigrant Visas, Immigrant Visas and Immigration Law During the Era of Trump," International Assignment Consulting, March 2017
  • Speaker, "Immigration Law Overview," University of North Carolina Charlotte, April, 2017
  • Speaker, "Nonimmigrant Visas, Immigrant Visas and Immigration Law During the Era of Trump," International Assignment Consulting, March 28, 2017
  • Speaker, "Immigration Law Primer," York County Economic Development, November 2015
  • Speaker, "PERM Recruitment - The Five Ws: Who, What, When, Where & Why?" 2015 AILA PERM Conference, August 2015
  • Speaker, "Visa Options for Entrepreneurs and Investors,” Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm Quarterly Webinar, March 2015
  • Speaker, "F-1 and OPT,” Mecklenburg County Bar, February 2015
  • Speaker, "PERM 101,” Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm Quarterly Webinar, June 2013
  • Speaker, "E-1/E-2 Visas,” AILA Carolinas Chapter Meeting, October 2010
  • Panel Member, UNC-Charlotte Immigration Open Forum College Democrats, October 2010
  • Speaker, "Fundamentals of Employment Law,” North Carolina Bar Foundation, June 2009

Honors and Awards

  • Campbell University Law School Book Award
  • The Best Lawyers in America©, 2022 – 23
  • Pro Bono Honor Roll, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy and Legal Aid of North Carolina-Charlotte, 2020
  • Who's Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers, 2018

Published Works

  • The National Interest Waiver process: Advantages for STEM degree holders, Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm White Paper, September 2023
  • How COVID-19, other legal changes have impacted the PERM process, Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm White Paper, April 2022
  • Presidential Election 2020: Comparing the immigration policies of Donald Trump and Joe Biden, Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm White Paper, September 2020
  • Two Years of the Buy American Hire American Executive Order, Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm White Paper, May 2019
  • There is Hope after the H-1B Cap: Alternatives to the H-1B Visa, Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm White Paper, June 2018
  • Where Do We Stand? Predictions on Immigration in 2018 under the Trump Administration, Best Lawyers, January 2018
  • Making a Case for A National Interest Waiver, Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm White Paper, February 2017
  • Along for the Ride - Steering Through DOL's Muddy Green Card Directives, Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm White Paper, January 2016
  • EB-5 Immigration Law Sunset Provisions, Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm White Paper, November 2015
  • Visa Options for Entrepreneurs and Investors, Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm White Paper, March 2015
  • PERM Puzzle Pieces: Determining Minimum Requirements, Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm White Paper, February 2015
  • Status of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm White Paper, August 2014
  • Program Electronic Review Management, Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm White Paper, February 2014
  • Fundamentals of Employment Law, Sterling Education Services Inc., 2012

Bar Admissions

  • North Carolina, 2005

Education

  • Campbell University School of Law, Raleigh, North Carolina (J.D. - 2005)
  • Meredith College (Bachelor of Science - 1995)

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • American Immigration Lawyers Association
  • Mecklenburg County Bar
  • North Carolina Bar Association
  • North Carolina Bar
  • Women Lawyers of Charlotte