William John Vandenberg
Top rated Immigration attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hogan & Vandenberg LLC
Practice areas: Immigration; view more
Licensed in Pennsylvania since: 2002
Education: Villanova University School of Law
Languages spoken: Arabic, English, Portuguese
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2013, 2015 - 2026 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2012 Call today:
610-897-9993
Hogan & Vandenberg LLC
1608 Walnut StSuite 1301
Philadelphia, PA 19103 Visit website
William John Vandenberg is a partner at Hogan & Vandenberg LLC, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During his impressive 17-year journey as an immigration attorney, he has cultivated a deep well of knowledge and earned a strong reputation in the field. His passion for immigration law was sparked by his experiences with diverse cultures during a mission with the U.S. Navy, steering him toward this meaningful career path.
Mr. Vandenberg focuses his practice on corporate immigration and family immigration matters. In the business immigration sector, he represents both corporations and individuals. He adeptly handles PERM Labor Certifications, Extraordinary and Exceptional Ability/National Interest Waiver Permanent Resident petitions, and a variety of nonimmigrant visas, including E-2, H-1B, L-1A/B and O-1 visas. This extensive service array highlights his versatility and dedication to addressing diverse immigration needs. For those seeking guidance on visas or other immigration matters, he is poised to offer comprehensive support.
Mr. Vandenberg's academic pursuits led him to earn a bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern studies from the University of Texas and a Juris Doctor from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. He served as an adjunct lecturer in law at the Transnational Human Rights Clinic of the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He also served as an adjunct professor at the Villanova Clinic for Asylum, Refugees, and Emigrant Services within the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law.
These educational and professional experiences have equipped Mr. Vandenberg with a comprehensive understanding of complex immigration matters. Fluent in Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian and Portuguese and a working grasp of Arabic, Russian and Spanish, he bridges communication gaps with his diverse clientele. This linguistic prowess is a tremendous asset in the globally interconnected realm of immigration law.
Mr. Vandenberg's remarkable career includes successfully litigating immigration cases before esteemed courts such as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and various Immigration Courts.
Practice areas
Immigration: Consumer, Immigration: BusinessFocus areas
Asylum, Naturalization & Citizenship
- 50% Immigration: Consumer
- 50% Immigration: Business
First Admitted: 2002, Pennsylvania
Professional Webpage: https://hvimmigrationlaw.com/about-hogan-vandenberg-immigrat...
Bar / Professional Activity
- "Hot Topics in District Court Litigation" for American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference. Invited panel speaker., 2020
- "Hot Topics and Updates," AILA Philadelphia Chapter Annual CLE, panelist, 2020
- U.S. Court of Appeal for the 8th Circuit., 2015
- Pennsylvania
- Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
- Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- Chair, Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Chapter of American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 2017
- Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Philadelphia Chapter
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- Member, National Association of Muslim Lawyers
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- Summer Adjunct Lecturer, Villanova University School of Law CARES (Clinic for Asylum, Refugee, and Emigrant Services) Clinic., 2015
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- Member, USCIS Liaison Committee
- Chair, Executive Committee of Philadelphia AILA, 2017-2018
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 2014
Representative Clients
- Fiadjoe v. Ashcroft, 411 F.3d 135 (3d Cir.), 2005
- Torres v. Attorney General USA, Oct 16, 2009
- Thu v. Attorney General USA, 510 F.3d 405 (3d Cir.), 2007
- Shah v. Gonzales, 446 F.3d 429 (3d Cir.), 2006
- "Ay v. Holder," Docket #11-2102-ag, 2nd Circuit, 2014. For the first time, the Second Circuit recognized what other Circuit Courts previously failed to appreciate: that even though a waiver exists for individuals who provided material support under duress, there is no application process for duress waivers and hardly any transparency about the terrorism bars and the process for adjudicating waivers. The case was remanded to the Board of Immigration Appeals, 2014
Pro bono / Community Service
- 5th Annual Haitian Health Festival in Philadelphia: Provided packets in English and French with information about Haiti TPS and answered immigration law questions for attendees., 2010
- Mentor Attorney, National Citizenship Day. Mentored pro bono attorney taking their first naturalization client, 2015
- Community Outreach booth at the "Vive tu Vida!" Event. Assisted community members with immigration support at this annual event for the Hispanic Community in Chester County, 2014
- Immigration Law speaker for the FunTimes Magazine "Knowledge is Power" Lecture Series. Fun Times Magazine is a general interest magazine for the African and African diaspora community. Gave presentations at the Mount Zion United African Church, Philadelphia, PA, St. Cyprian Roman Catholic Church, and Masjid Ahlus Sunna wal Jamaah Community Center, all in Philadelphia, 2010
Educational Background
- American Immigration Council/American Immigration Lawyers Association in Litigation Institute, 2010
- University of Texas, Austin, Texas, B.A. in Middle Eastern Studies, Arabic Language, History and Culture of the Middle East, with Departmental Honors, 1996
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- One of 3 panelists discussing solutions for lawyers whose clients have national security issues to be resolved. Co-author of accompanying article, Speaker, Handling a Load of CARRP: Immigration & National Security, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2015 AILA National Conference, 2015
- Served as one of three panelists providing information on preparing an appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals and the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal, Panelist, Becoming an Appellate Ninja - An Overview of How to Approach an Immigration Appeal and Legal Strategies for Success, American Immigration Council/American Immigration Lawyers Association, Legal Community In Philadelphia, 2019
- Panelists will provide an introductory overview of the adjustment of status process. They also will discuss initial requirements for adjustment applications, the various forms and documents needed, and red-flag issues that could potentially complicate the process., Panelist, The Basics of Adjustment of Status, American Immigration Lawyers Association, AILA Is The Largest Organization Serving Immigration Lawyers In The United States, 2017
- Discussion Leader and Panelist for presentation to assist attorneys who have not previously practiced in district court become familiar with common procedures and the type of relief that may be sought. They also will cover the nuts and bolts of filing habeas petitions, as well as the limits of federal court jurisdiction in different circuits., Discussion Leader and Panelist, Federal District Court: Can I Practice There, and What Relief Can Be Sought?, American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, AILA Is The Largest Organization Serving Immigration Lawyers In The United States., 2018
- Effectively Dealing with ICE: Anatomy of Removal Proceedings & Overview of Key Defenses, Annual Conference, 2011, Speaker, Effectively Dealing with ICE: Anatomy of Removal Proceedings & Overview of Key Defenses, 2011
- Family Based Oddities (VAWA, Special Rule Cancellation, U visas for Domestic Violence, Non-traditional marriages and divorces in the adjustment context, marriages in removal proceedings), Issues in Family-based Immigration Law, AILA Philadelphia Chapter Annual Conference, 2010, Speaker, Family Based Oddities (VAWA, Special Rule Cancellation, U visas for Domestic Violence, Non-traditional marriages and divorces in the adjustment context, marriages in removal proceedings), 2010
- "Consular Processing for Employers Seeking Foreign Employees", Employment Law Update (Aspen Publishers), Author, Consular Processing for Employers Seeking Foreign Employees, 2005
- Chosen by AILA National to present non-immigrant visa options for attorneys new to the field of immigration law, Speaker, Non-Immigrant Visa Options, American Immigration Lawyers Association, AILA 2015 Fundamentals Conference, 2015
- Adjunct Lecturer in Law, University of Pennsylvania School of Law, Gittis Center for Clinical Legal Studies, Spring 2012, Adjunct Lecturer for Transnational Legal Clinic, UPenn, Adjunct Lecturer in Law, 2012
- Legal Issues Confronting Muslim Americans, Third Annual Muslim Law Career Conference, 2009, Speaker, Legal Issues Confronting Muslim Americans, 2009
- Know Your Rights for Immigrants, Know Your Rights for Immigrants, Muslim Associate of Lehigh Valley, 2007
- Know Your Rights for Immigrants, Know Your Rights for Immigrants, Islamic Society of Greater Valley Forge, 2007
- Speaker regarding defensive applications in Immigration Court, Speaker, Conference: Immigration Law Forum, Defensive Applications in Immigration Court, 2012
- Speaker on ethics of fees and IOLTA, Speaker, The Ethics of Fees: Referral Fees, Fee Splitting, and IOLTA Refresher, AILA Philadelphia Chapter Annual CLE Conference, 2012
- We advised attorneys how to avoid malpractice in immigration law, and how to mitigate consequences to the client and the bar if they did make an error. We also set out the practice steps to reopening an immigration case where the previous attorney had committed error which prejudiced the immigrant., Panelist and Discussion Leader, Lozada Claims & Ethics - Everybody Wins: How to Effectively and Professionally Use Lozada, American Immigration Lawyers Association - Philadelphia Chapter, 2013
- Presented a review of ineffective assistance of counsel cases and how to ethically file a complaint, if necessary, and a motion to reopen., Panelist, "Staying Alive" - Ethics for Immigration Practitioners, AILA DC Chapter Fall 2013 Immigration Law Conference, AILA DC Chapter, 2013
- Key speaker for workshop presentation on preparation and filing of I-601 Waivers. This presentation covered fact-finding methods, relevant cases and regulations, and preparing a persuasive application tailored for the agency., Guest Speaker, "How to Prepare Form I-601 Waivers: A Presentation for New Practitioners and Accredited Representatives", Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians, Immigration, 2014
- Co-authored article on advanced issues in Temporary Protected Status for the AILA's "Immigration Practice Pointers, Tips for Handling Complex Cases.", Author & Speaker, "Important TPS Issues You Did Not Have Time to Research", American Immigration Lawyers Association ("AILA"), Immigration, 2014
- Presented R-1 Visa Practice Pointers and sample documents to local immigration bar., Speaker, R-1 Religious Workers, AILA Philadelphia Chapter, 2014
- Authored article on H-1B visa checklists and preparation. Presented on addressing pitfalls in Business Immigration context, Speaker, Avoiding Pitfalls in Business Visas:, AILA DC Chapter, 2015
Honors
- Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers, 2015
- Won, Villanova Law School Client Counseling Competition
- Recipient, Brenda Joan Ruggiero Scholarship, 2001-2002
- Best Immigration Attorney on the Main Line, Main Line Today Magazine, 2007, Main Line Attorneys, Main Line Today Magazine, 2007
- Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers, 2013
- President, International Law Society from 2000-2001
- Represented Villanova at the Regional Level
- Faculty Recognition Award, for his Contributions to the Law School
- Top Lawyer in Immigration, Main Line Today, 2012
- Co-Founder, The Islamic Law Forum
- Received, Global Democracy Project/Project Bosnia Study Grant
- Recipient, Matthew Baxter Mentorship Award in recognition of his outstanding mentorship to the Philadelphia Chapter of AILA, 2012
- Super Lawyer Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2012
Industry Groups
- and persons in removal/deportation proceedings.
- Companies seeking to hire and retain the best international talent
- Families
Office location for William John Vandenberg
1608 Walnut St
Suite 1301
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: 610-897-9993
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2013, 2015 - 2026
- Rising Stars: 2012
