Jonathan A. Grode
Top rated Immigration attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Green and Spiegel, LLC
Practice areas: Immigration; view more
Licensed in Pennsylvania since: 2009
Education: Temple University Beasley School of Law
Languages Spoken: English, Italian
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2020 - 2025 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2012 - 2019 Call today:
215-607-8111
Green and Spiegel, LLC
1524 Delancey Street4th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102 Visit website
Details
Jonathan A. Grode is the U.S. practice director and managing partner at Green and Spiegel, LLC, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He goes above and beyond for his clients, providing unparalleled guidance and service in Pennsylvania and nationwide. He has been a stalwart in American immigration law – from business to consumer immigration. Additionally, he is experienced in navigating Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security enforcement measures and the immigration aspects of mergers and acquisitions.
Mr. Grode attained his undergraduate degree from Case Western Reserve University, graduating magna cum laude with a B.A. in English literature in 1999. He pursued his passion for the legal profession and proceeded to obtain his J.D. magna cum laude from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 2008. He was honored with the Greg R. Wiegand '98 Memorial Fund Award and the Nat N. Wolfsohn Memorial Award in Real Property at his graduation. Furthermore, he is licensed to practice before all Pennsylvania state courts.
With a wealth of experience in his practice area, Mr. Grode has earned widespread recognition. His proficiency has been featured in a range of solo and co-authored publications, while he has generously devoted time and skills to pro bono efforts. As a competent panelist and moderator on immigration law matters, he has lent his insights to several prestigious organizations, including the American Bar Association, the American Immigration Lawyers Association and The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. Esteemed by his peers, he has garnered a 10.0 "Superb" peer-review rating on Avvo.
Mr. Grode has taken up the role of an adjunct professor in immigration law at his law school. His capability doesn't stop there – he is also a dedicated associate of various legal organizations. He serves as a respected member of the American Bar Association's Section of Labor and Employment Law, having chaired their Immigration and Human Trafficking Committee with admirable finesse.
Moreover, Mr. Grode also holds a position as a board of directors member for the Philadelphia Chapter of the French-American Chamber of Commerce. His impressive achievements are a testament to his strong commitment to the legal sector and his unwavering dedication to advancing the field of immigration law.
Practice areas
Immigration: Business, Immigration: ConsumerFocus areas
Naturalization & Citizenship
- 80% Immigration: Business
- 20% Immigration: Consumer
First Admitted: 2009, Pennsylvania
Professional Webpage: https://www.gands.com/en-us/team/jonathan-grode/
Bar/Professional Activity:
- ABA Labor and Employment Law Section Immigration Committee, Member: 2009 – 2015
- National High School Mock Trial Association. Case Writing Committee: 2013 – Present
- National High School Mock Trial Association. Case Writing Committee: 2013 – Present
- Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Statewide High School Mock Trial Competition. Executive Board Member: July 2009 – Present
- AILA Philadelphia Chapter New Member Divisions, Co-Chair: 2010 – 2014
- ABA Leadership Development Program, Participant: July 2014
- ABA Labor and Employment Law Section Host Committees, Annual Mock Trial Philadelphia Regional Tournament: 2014 – Present
- ABA Labor and Employment Law Section Human Trafficking Task Force, Working Group Leader for Database of Anti-Human Trafficking Resource Material: 2014 – present
- ABA Labor and Employment Law Section Human Trafficking Task Force, Assisted in vetting Corporate Self-Governance Policies for Labor Human Trafficking: 2013
- ABA Labor and Employment Law Section Human Trafficking Task Force, Assisted in drafting State Model Law on Employer Liability for Human Trafficking on behalf of Uniform Law Commission: 2013
- ABA Labor and Employment Law Section Human Trafficking Task Force, Member: 2013 – 2015
- AILA Philadelphia Chapter CBP Committee, Co-Chair: 2015 – Present
- ABA Labor and Employment Law Section Immigration and Human Trafficking Administrative Committee, Management Co-Chair: 2015 – Present, Annual Conference Track Coordinator: 2016, Liaison to ABA Business Section: 2015 – Present
- AILA National Chapter Student Outreach Committee, 2015 Annual Conference – Philadelphia: 2014 – 2015
- Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Statewide High School Mock Trial Competition, Executive Board Member, 2009-present
- ABA Labor and Employment Law Section Immigration Committee, Annual Conference Track Coordinator: 2011 – 2015
- ABA Labor and Employment Law Section Human Trafficking Task Force, Liaison to ABA Business Section: 2014 – 2015
- ABA Labor and Employment Law Section Marketing Committee, 2011, 2012
- ABA Labor and Employment Law Section Host Committees, 2014 – 2015
- AILA Philadelphia Chapter New Member Divisions, Chair Emeritus: 2014 –2015
- ABA Labor and Employment Law Section Immigration and Human Trafficking Administrative Committee, Liaison to ABA Business Section: 2015 – Present
- ABA Labor and Employment Law Section Immigration Committee, Co-Chair: 2011 – 2015
- Board Member French American Chamber of Commerce (Philadelphia Chapter): 2014 – Present
- Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Statewide High School Mock Trial Competition, Executive Board Member: July 2009 – Present
- National High School Mock Trial Association, Case Writing Committee: 2013 – Present
- AIJA (International Young Lawyers) President, Immigration Commission, 2011, 2012
- ABA Labor and Employment Law Sec. Marketing Committee, 2011, 2012
- AILA Philadelphia Chapter – Annual March CLE Co-Chair: 2012
- AILA NMD National – NMD Nominating Committee: 2011, 2012, 2013
- AILA Philadelphia Chapter – Nominating Committee: 2013, 2016
Honors/Awards:
- 2012- 2018 SuperLawyer’s Rising Star: for Immigration Law in Pennsylvania
- Named in the 2020 and 2023 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America
- Recipient of Lexology’s Client Choice Award in 2019
- Founder: College Scholars Program at Case Western Reserve University.
- Nominated for the Temple University Law School Student Choice Award for Student Leader 2007.
- Board Member. Good Shepard Mediation Center. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2006 – 2008.
- Temple University Law School Hilary Holloway Scholarship for the 2005/2006 academic year, “Outstanding Academic Achievement”. October 2005. Temple University.
- Temple University Law School Louis Matkoff Scholarship for the 2007/2008 academic year, “Outstanding Academic Achievement”. October 2007. Temple University.
- Temple Law, Education and Participation Project (LEAP) Huey R. Burkett Service Award – March 8, 2008. Temple University
- Greg R. Wiegand ’98 Memorial Fund Award: awarded to a graduating senior who has overcome adversity and demonstrated perseverance and excellence while participating in the John S. Bradway Mock Trial Program – May 22, 2008. Temple University.
- The Nat N. Wolfson Memorial Award in Real Property: given to the 2008 graduating senior who earned outstanding grades in the field of real property law – May 22, 2008. Temple University.
- The David Adamany Award: given to the 2008 graduating senior who excelled in the study of constitutional law – May 22, 2008. Temple University.
- Albert J. Bricklin Memorial Award for Distinguished Scholastic Performance: given to the 2008 graduating senior with the highest cumulative average in the Evening Division – May 22, 2008. Temple University.
- Graduation Speaker (Evening Division): Temple School of Law Commencement – May 22, 2008
- Pennsylvania Bar Association Accommodation: for pro bono efforts related the high school mock trial competition. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. March 31, 2012.
- 2014 Pennsylvania Bar Association Special Achievement Award for “dedication and commitment to the high school mock trial competition”. May 16, 2014.
- 2015 USCIS Naturalization Ceremony at Abington Senior High School – Guest Speaker
- Pennsylvania Bar Association Special Achievement Award for “dedication and commitment to the high school mock trial competition”. May 16, 2014
- Albert J. Bricklin Memorial Award for Distinguished Scholastic Performance, 2008
- The Nat N. Wolfson Memorial Award in Real Property, Temple University Beasley School of Law, May 22, 2008
- Greg R. Wiegand ’98 Memorial Fund Award, Temple University Beasley School of Law, May 22, 2008
- Temple Law, Education and Participation Project (LEAP) Huey R. Burkett Service Award, Temple University Beasley School of Law, March 8, 2008
- Law360 “A New and Promising Immigration Tool for Entrepreneurs"
- The David Adamany Award, 2008
- Temple University Law School Hilary Holloway Scholarship for the 2005/2006 academic year, “Outstanding Academic Achievement”
- Temple University Law School Honor Code Representative: 2005 - 2008
- Winner “2002 I Love New York,” Song Writing Contest
- Temple University Law School Louis Matkoff Scholarship for the 2007/2008 academic year, “Outstanding Academic Achievement”
Educational Background:
- Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, Magna Cum Laude, 1999
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Non-immigrant and Immigrant Investor Options for Foreign Nationals. American Immigration Lawyers Association Philadelphia Chapter. October, 2015
- Adjunct Faculty at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law where he teaches Business Immigration Law, Advising Global Corporations, and Law Practice Management
- Civil Labor Enforcement, Private Claims and Supply Chain Accountability: What You Can Do to Help Fight Trafficking in Persons. ABA 9th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. November, 2015
- Mergers and Acquisitions: The Assets and Liabilities of Foreign Workers. ABA 8th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference. Los Angeles, California. November, 2014
- Recent Changes in Immigration Law for Labor Lawyers. Colorado Bar Association Annual Ski and CLE. Vail, Colorado. January, 2016
- Best Practices in Workplace Training in the Prevention of Human Trafficking. ABA 8th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference. Los Angeles, California. November, 2014
- Visas for Entrepreneurs (France). French Chamber for Commerce and Industry. Paris, France. January, 2016
- LGBT Immigration Post-DOMA. Philly Gay Lawyers. Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. October, 2014
- Ethical Issues in Immigration Law. Louisiana Bar Association Conclave on Diversity. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. March, 2016
- Understanding the Employment and Immigration Implications of Terminating Expatriates: At the Journey's End. ABA Employer Rights and Responsibility Committee Midwinter Meeting. New Orleans, Louisiana. March, 2016
- Legal and Tax Issues of Interest to the French and Expatriate Communities. Consular Agency of France in Philadelphia and Wilmington. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. March/April, 2016
- Lessons from the Hot Stove – Risk Management. Control Systems Integrators Association Executive Conference 2014 Annual Conference. San Diego, California. April, 2014
- Regular Presenter at National and International American Bar Association conferences as well as at local American Immigration Lawyers Association seminars and meetings
- U.S. Immigration Law Reform: What You Don’t Hear in the Press. ABA Employer Rights and Responsibility Committee Midwinter Meeting. Los Cabos, Mexico. March, 2014
- A Narrated Mock Trial – The Asylum Defense. AILA Philadelphia Chapter New Members Division Meeting. March, 2014
- Immigration Options for Engineering Entrepreneurs. Brown University PRIME Program. Providence, Rhode Island. February, 2014
- Business Immigration Basics. Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. January, 2014
- Immigration Options for Upcoming Foreign National Graduates. Bryant University. Smithfield, Rhode Island. November, 2013
- Immigration Action - The Civil Side of Employing Foreign Nationals (with Brian Green, Esq. & Alex Varghese, J.D.). ABA Labor and Employment Law Section 7th Annual Conference. November, 2013
- Avoiding Stumbling Blocks in Acquiring TN Status (with Karen Jensen, Esq.) AILA New Member Division E-News. Vol. 5, Issue 2 - www.aila.org. May, 2013
- Representing Corporate Clients: Managing Immigration Risk for "Compliant" Employers (with Jane W. Goldblum, Esq.). The Labor Lawyer: A Journal of Ideas and Developments in Labor and Employment Law. Spring, 2013
- The Politics of Compliance - Control Systems Integrators Association Newsletter. www.csia.org - July, www.csia.org, 2014
- O-1B: For More than Traditional Artists (with Alex Varghese). AILA New Member Division E-News. Vol. 6. Issue 3 – www.aila.org, July, 2014
- Changing Immigration Regulations Raise Employment Issues. American Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Section Newsletter. Vol. 42, Number 3. Spring, 2014
- Co-author (with Wendy Cator Hess, Esq.), Representing Corporate Clients: A New Union between Labor, Immigration and Criminal Counsel, The Labor Lawyer: A Journal of Ideas and Developments in Labor and Employment Law, Vol. 24, Number 2, p.223 Fall 2008
- David Stanton Manual on Labor Certification, 4th Ed. p.113. AILA 2008-2009. (with Employer Questionnaire Practice Aid p. 314), Co-author (with Wendy Castor Hess, Esq. & Maria P. Fritzinger, Esq.), Employer-Related Issues to Spot Before Commencing a PERM Case
- David Stanton Manual on Labor Certification, 3rd Ed. AILA 2005, Co-author, CHART: Immigrant Visa Options for Scientists and Researchers
- Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Social Equity Conference. State College, Pennsylvania, October 2009, Co-presenter (with Jane. W. Goldblum, Esq. and Maria P. Fritzinger, Esq.), Immigration Laws and Diversity in the Workplace
- Co-presenter (with Howard Cleveland, Esq.), What Every Labor/Employment Lawyer Needs to Know about Immigration Law: The Top 10., ABA, Labor and Employment Law Conference. Orlando, Florida (April 2009)
- Co-presenter (with Jane. W. Goldblum, Esq.), PERM, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Philadelphia Chapter Annual Conference. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 2009
- Presenter, I-9, E-Verify and Employer Compliance, Experience HR Webinar, January 2009
- Presenter, First Amendment and Cyberspace, Women for Greater Philadelphia: Constitution Day 2007. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 2007.
- Business Immigration Basics. Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. January, 2013
- Developments in Enforcement - Watch Out for ICE. Colorado Bar Association Annual Ski & CLE. Vail, Colorado. January, 2014
- Author, "Employer Compliance - How to Mitigate and How to Litigate", AILA Philadelphia Chapter New Members Division Meeting, 2013
- Moderator, "Comprehensive Immigration Reform: What has been Proposed and What to do Now?", ABA 7th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference (New Orleans, LA), 2013
- Author, "Developments in Canadian/U.S. Immigration Law", National Association of Software and Service Companies NASSCOM (Mumbai/Bangalore, India), 2013
- Author, "How Comprehensive Immigration Reform will Affect Business in the United States", German-American Chamber of Commerce (Philadelphia, PA), 2013
- Author, "Trends in Business Immigration Law", Russian-Speaking Professionals Network of Greater Philadelphia [RSPN] (Philadelphia, PA), 2013
- Author, "Immigration Reform: The Employment Perspective", ABA Webinar Series, 2013
- Author, "The Six Most Important Aspects of Immigration Law Now Impacting Labor and Employment Lawyers", ABA Employer Rights and Responsibility Committee Midwinter Meeting (Miami, FL), 2013
- Author, "Developments in Enforcement", Colorado Bar Association Annual Ski and CLE (Snowmass, CO), 2013
- Author, "Are You Compliant With Immigration Laws???", Labor and Employment Relations Association Philadelphia Chapter (Philadelphia, PA), 2012
- Author, "Basics of Immigration Law", AILA Philadelphia Chapter New Members Division Meeting, 2012
- Representing Corporate Clients: Managing Immigration Risk for “Compliant” Employers (with Jane W. Goldblum), ABA Labor Law Journal, Summer 2012.
- Opening Pandora’s Box: Immigration Issues Affecting Labor Lawyers (with Wendy Castor Hess, Esq.) Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s 18th Annual Employment Law Institute. April 2012.
- Opening Pandora’s Box – Immigration Law and Enforcement (with Wendy Castor Hess, Esq.), Pennsylvania Bar Institute. Spring 2012.
- Employer-Related Issues to Spot Before Commencing a PERM Case (with Wendy Castor Hess, Esq. & Maria P. Fritzinger, Esq.), AILA’s PERM Labor Cert Guide. AILA December 2011.
- Practice Pointers for Employment-based Green Card Sponsorship AILA New Member Division E-News. Vol 3. Issue 4 – www.aila.org, December 2011.
- Organizing CLE Events for Your NMD (with Jennifer Hermansky, Esq.) AILA New Member Division E-News. Vol 3. Issue 1 – www.aila.org, February 2011.
- Everything You Didn’t Know you Needed to Know About Performing Due Diligence Regarding Immigration Status in Corporate Acquisitions / Mergers (But Were Afraid to Ask) (with Wendy Castor Hess, Esq.), New York State Bar Annual Conference Publication. April 2010
- Moderator, The Real Cost of Human Trafficking, ABA National Conference on Equal Opportunity Law. San Francisco, California, March 2012
- Moderator, On a Collision Course – State Immigration Enforcement Laws Running into Federal Jurisdiction. ABA National Conference on Equal Opportunity Law. San Francisco, California, March 2012
- The 10 Most Important Aspects of Immigration Law Now Impacting Labor and Employment Lawyers. ABA National Conference on Equal Opportunity Law. San Francisco, California. March 2012.
- 'Immigration for Corporate Counsel.' Goldblum & Hess, Annual CLE. Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. January 2012.
- Business Immigration Law – A 2 Part Series. Philadelphia Community College – January 2012.
- Moderator, ICEman Cometh, Immigration Enforcement in the Workplace. ABA 5th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference. Seattle, Washington, November 2011
- Temporary Protective Status and Ebola (with Andrew Rodgers) AILA Law Student Newsletter. December, 2014
- Managing Unintended Consequences of Immigration Reform. American Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Section Newsletter. Vol. 43, Number 3. Spring, 2015
- In the Eye of the Visa Holder. American Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Section Newsletter. Vol. 44, Number 2. Winter, 2016
- Developments in Enforcement - I-9s. Colorado Bar Association Annual Ski and CLE. Vail, Colorado. January, 2015
- How to Make Immigration Law Part of Your Existing Practice. ABA Employer Rights and Responsibility Committee Midwinter Meeting. Naples, Florida. March, 2015
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- Quoted in: The P-1 Visa And Suk-Min Yoon: How the Pitcher Will Get His Visa. Global Sports Integration Blog. February 16.2014. http://globalsportingintegration.com/p-1-visa-suk-min-yoon/, 2014
- Quoted in: Immigrant Investor Program Gets Watchful Eye. Legal Intelligencer [5/21/13], 2013
- Quoted in: H-1B Visas are Hot Again, for Philly Firms too. Newsworks. WHYY [5/8/13], 2013
- Quoted in: Egg Harbor Township officials see foreign investment as solution for West Atlantic City. Press of Atlantic City [8/12/2011] - http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com, 2011
- Immigation Expert Witness - Robinson v. Grande (Berks County C.C.P., Docket No. 10-15643), Reported in the Legal Intelligencer , 2013
Industry Groups:
- Corporate
- Education
- Healthcare
Office location for Jonathan A. Grode
1524 Delancey Street
4th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: 215-607-8111
Selections
6 Years Super Lawyers
8 Years Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2020 - 2025
- Rising Stars: 2012 - 2019
