About Us
Our Team
Russell L. "Rusty" O'Brien — Attorney
Rusty speaks fluent Spanish, has been a guest on bilingual radio and television programs in the Louisville area, and often addresses community groups and area business leaders regarding immigration issues. He appears regularly in the local press concerning immigration matters.
Rusty is very active in the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), having served two terms as MidSouth Chapter Chair, and as liaison to the Texas Service Center. He has chaired and speaks regularly at immigration seminars and conferences for AILA.
Rusty regularly represents clients before the Immigration Service (CIS), Immigration Courts (EOIR), Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and numerous U.S. consulates and embassies abroad.
EDUCATION
- Brigham Young University (B.A., International Relations)
- University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law (J.D.).
PRESENTATIONS, SPEECHES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
- Weekly column contributor to Hoy en Las Americas newspaper, 2005-2008.
- May 2004, 05, 07, Presenter at annual Federal Bar Assn. CLE, Memphis, Tennessee, Seeking Relief in Removal Proceedings Before the Immigration Court
- June 21, 2006, AILA National Conference, San Antonio, Ethical Considerations in the Practice of Law
- April 8, 2006, Western Kentucky University, Immigrant and Non-immigrant visa procedures
- March 2004, guest commentator on Louisville Hispanic television program regarding President Bush’s immigration proposal
- November 2001, Immigration Update 2001-2002, hosted by Louisville Mayor’s Office of International and Cultural Affairs
- July 2001, Young Lawyers Division of Louisville Bar Association, Effects and Consequences of Rising Immigration on the Practice of Law.
- August 2000, Human Resource Leaders Conference, Spalding University, Louisville, Practices and Procedures for hiring Foreign Nationals.
- 2000, 01, 02, 03, 04, Lobbied Kentucky Senators and Representatives in Washington, D.C. regarding immigration issues.
- 2000, Appeared twice as guest expert on bilingual radio program, WLOU, to discuss immigration issues.
- June 1999, The Recruiter’s Club of Louisville, Employing Immigrants and Refugees in the Louisville Community.
Mr. McClain practices in the area of immigration, nationality and consular law. He represents businesses and institutions of higher education regarding corporate transfers, other professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, professors, researchers, entertainers and athletes. Mr. McClain also represents employers with I-9 compliance and other employment issues.
In addition, Mr. McClain represents individuals and families in their attempts at family reunification and naturalization.
Mr. McClain represents clients before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS); the Department of State at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad; and the U.S. Department of Labor.
Mr. McClain has given numerous presentations to various business, educational and social groups throughout Kentucky and Indiana regarding immigration issues. As a former state prosecutor, he has also given presentations to law enforcement associations and the Louisville Bar Association regarding the immigration consequences of criminal convictions.
Mr. McClain is also an Adjunct Professor of Immigration Law at the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville.
EDUCATION
- University of Louisville School of Law, J.D.
- Eastern Kentucky University, B.S. in Business Management with a Human Resource Option
ADMISSIONS
- Eastern District Court of Kentucky
- Western District Court of Kentucky
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
MEMBERSHIPS
- Kentucky Bar Association
- Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys
- American Immigration Lawyers Association
Carlos Hernandez — Immigration Legal Assistant
Mr. Hernandez was born in Cuba, graduated in 1986 as a Licentiate in Law and has completed postgraduate courses in relation to his career.
In Cuba he carried out several diplomatic functions in Tanzania and Zambia, and fifilled administrative functions in Ethiopia, Mexico and Nicaragua. He immigrated to Jamaica in 1995, where he carried out diverse administrative functions as Manager of Jamaica Caribbean Opportunities. In 1998 he immigrated to the United States, where he has worked extensively in the field of immigration. In 2000 he received an International Studies degree at NAFA, a private accredited institution based in Florida, which led to his knowledge of immigration law amongst other laws related to the country; In March of 2000 he began working at the law offices of Stephen T. Millan and Peter S. Heller in Miami as Senior Legal Assistant; he also worked as legal assistant in the offices of attorney Greg Gonzalez, also located in Florida. In Kentucky he has carried out work as legal counselor at the Hispanic Community Center, located at the Good Shepherd Christian Church. The center of evaluation of the Foundation for International Services, Inc. with headquarters in Washington, D.C. accredits him as a Juris Doctor from an accredited college or University in the United States.
He is a member of the ABA as a Foreign Legal Consultant.
Ester Arteaga was born in Guatemala. She and her family immigrated to the United States in 2001, giving Ester a unique, first-hand appreciation of the immigration process. Ester is bi-lingual in Spanish and English.
Affiliations
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
AILA Member attorneys represent tens of thousands of U.S. families who have applied for permanent residence for their spouses, children, and other close relatives to lawfully enter and reside in the United States.