Samantha Smith Email and Phone Number

Sandpiper Lawyers specialises in most visa types, citizenship applications, cancellation/refusal matters, AAT appeals, and corporate immigration matters.Get in touch for a confidential advice session! E: hello@sandpiperlawyers.comP: 03 8676 7926Monday-Thursday 8.30 a.m. - 3.30 p.m.www.sandpiperlawyers.com

The Migration lawyer provides legal advice and assistance to clients in the area of migration, with a specific focus on employer sponsored migration, visa cancellation and judicial review. Key responsibilities:• Provide timely and accurate migration advice to clients and meet deadlines as needed• Assess the eligibility of clients for temporary or permanent residency• Deal in an effective, respectful and ethical manner at all times with clients• Prepare, review and lodge visa applications, tribunal appeals, judicial review appeals and requests to the Minister• Prepare legal submissions and undertake research• Manage a paralegal • Enter and maintain client information in the client database

Pro-Link GLOBAL has been acquired by Newland Chase.Global migration consulting service provider supporting commercial clients providing support and guidance on the most complex of migration matters, partnering with organisations as a trusted business advisor across all global migration related matters.Reporting to the Global Immigration Group (GIG) Director responsible for leading and managing a team of 10 immigration specialists located across 3 countries, successfully managing the global immigration movements of large corporate companies, including many who are listed in as Fortune 500 companies. Key responsibilities: • Assign new cases to consultants and manage activities of the GIG APAC team related to case work support, work-life balance, stress level, capacity to take on new cases 
• Monitor client satisfaction through surveys and semi-annual reviews, adjust 
policies and make adjustments to service offerings accordingly.• Responsible for service delivery in APAC region• Direct escalation point for team members • Respond to client queries and create/deliver resources to spec, including (but not limited to): 
FAQ/information sheets, webinars, roundtable events, trainings, white papers 
• Create and deliver additional trainings or resources for the team, as needed 

• Work with other departments to create client specific policies and best practice protocols, responsible for implementation in APAC 
• Write and / or delegate writing of procedures for the department 
• Continuous Improvement. Encourage team to and better ways of doing things / 
processes / procedures etc.
Key achievements: 
• Nominated for Immigration Provider of the Year (APAC EMMAs 2017) 
• Winner of Platinum Service Excellence Award (RELO Direct 2018) 
• Developed and delivered webinars on Hong Kong and China immigration processes 
• Developed and delivered roundtable event in Shanghai on changing immigration landscape in China

Global migration consulting service provider supporting commercial clients providing support and guidance on the most complex of migration matters, partnering with organisations as a trusted business advisor across all global migration related matters.Reporting to the Global Immigration Group (GIG) Director responsible for leading and managing a team of 10 immigration specialists located across 3 countries, successfully managing the global immigration movements of large corporate companies, including many who are listed in as Fortune 500 companies. Key responsibilities: • Assign new cases to consultants and manage activities of the GIG APAC team related to case work support, work-life balance, stress level, capacity to take on new cases 
• Monitor client satisfaction through surveys and semi-annual reviews, adjust 
policies and make adjustments to service offerings accordingly.• Responsible for service delivery in APAC region• Direct escalation point for team members • Respond to client queries and create/deliver resources to spec, including (but not limited to): 
FAQ/information sheets, webinars, roundtable events, trainings, white papers 
• Create and deliver additional trainings or resources for the team, as needed 

• Work with other departments to create client specific policies and best practice protocols, responsible for implementation in APAC 
• Write and / or delegate writing of procedures for the department 
• Continuous Improvement. Encourage team to and better ways of doing things / 
processes / procedures etc.
Key achievements: 
• Nominated for Immigration Provider of the Year (APAC EMMAs 2017) 
• Winner of Platinum Service Excellence Award (RELO Direct 2018) 
• Developed and delivered webinars on Hong Kong and China immigration processes 
• Developed and delivered roundtable event in Shanghai on changing immigration landscape in China

Reporting to the Regional Manager, APAC to co-ordinate with corporate clients and assignees to obtain the relevant work and residence authorisations for assignees, local hires, and their families.Key responsibilities: • Prepare and submit various foreign government or federal agency forms and supporting documentation as required by the relevant government agencies. 
• Coordinate administrative and legal operations regarding immigration matters for specific clients. 
• Prepare filing for visa applicants, preparing analysis and responding to foreign government inquiries. 
• Main point of contact for assistance to clients regarding immigration issues. 
• Develop and maintain clear time line deliverables for each case. 
• Manage a variety of different caseloads on behalf of different clients 
• Provide specific and constructive feedback on vendor performance 
• Collaborate with inside counsel on filing immigrant and nonimmigrant cases. 
• Advise client business unit HR representatives, business managers and employees on 
company policy and Immigration regulations and requirements. 
• Provide technical advice to clients, assignees and third party vendors 
regarding correct legislation. 
• Evaluate and counsel client human resources and management regarding both short-term and long-term options available for candidates/employees. Key achievements: 
• Became subject matter expert on multiple APAC locations within 9 months 
• Handled at one time around 130 active cases over 14 different countries for a range of 
Fortune 500 companies 
• Became client lead for two of our top client companies 
• Became listed counsel member for all local China clients

Prepared legal strategies and submissions for clients requiring assistance with immigration matters (personal immigration). Reporting to Managing Director. 
Key responsibilities: 
 • Requesting and reviewing government files• Interviewing clients (via Skype and phone)• Preparing submissions for: o Visa applications,o Appeals against deportation and declined residence visa applications to the Immigration Protection Tribunal,
o Requests for Ombudsman review of governmental decisions, o Privacy Act complaints,
o Requests for Ministerial intervention,
o Labour Inspectorate complaints,
o Court proceedings (traffic offences and Hague child abduction case) • Preparing supporting evidence for admission
• Explaining legal nuances and proceedings to applicants/appellants, keeping them updated, providing support and guidance, suggestions on additional resources they can leverage. Key achievements: • Successful negotiation with governmental departments (Immigration New Zealand, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, the Ombudsman) 
• Sparked initiative for review of how the Labour Inspector investigates and reports on complaints