Welcome to the Garfinkel Immigration staff spotlight series, where we will conduct a bimonthly Q&A with one of the Firm’s team members. In this edition, we spoke with Senior Paralegal/PERM Team Lead Beth R. Tart.
What have you found most rewarding about working in immigration law?
What is rewarding beyond measure is having a role in assisting clients through the legal system to realize their goals and dreams of living and working in the U.S.
Also rewarding is working with employers in a variety of industries to help them obtain and maintain the talent they need to succeed.
What do you consider your most significant professional accomplishment?
I consider my most significant professional accomplishment working with a talented group to build and grow the PERM team and its processes and procedures.
When I started at Garfinkel Immigration more than 21 years ago, there was no PERM team (in fact there was no such thing as “PERM”). With PERM’s complexities, it became obvious there was a need to build a team and develop standard processes.
Over the years, we’ve built and evolved a team that now includes 11 paralegals who report to six attorneys. It’s been exciting to see people on the team grow with their many strengths and abilities.
What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
I enjoy traveling, hiking, camping, reading (mostly fiction), puzzles and attending sporting events with family and friends (especially football and soccer).
What is your favorite movie or TV show? Why?
It’s impossible to nail down a favorite. I love most genres of movies and TV. It’s fun to get involved in a series with complex plots and strong character development.
Call the Midwife is a current favorite. I also enjoy watching the team on the History Channel’s Curse of Oak Island try to find treasure. I really don’t care if they ever find it – I enjoy watching how the people on the show treasure each other’s knowledge and strengths as they journey together to unravel the mysterious history of the island.