Masae Y. Okura

Partner

Atlanta, Georgia

Masae Okura’s practice focuses on immigration, employment and general business matters. Ms. Okura represents multinational companies investing in the United States by advising on selecting the appropriate legal entity and immigration options. Her immigration practice encompasses both business-based immigrant petitions/green card applications (EB1, EB2, EB3, NIW), family sponsored immigrant petitions/green card applications (F2A, F2B, F3, F4) as well as various nonimmigrant visa programs including B1/B2, E1/E2, F1/F2, H1B/ H3/H4, I, J1/J2, K, L1/L2, L Blanket, M, O, P, Q, R, TN/TD, etc. Ms. Okura also advises on naturalization, and work and travel permits. Ms. Okura’s knowledge in business and accounting allows her to guide companies in evaluating their business plans and assessing their financial ability to sponsor foreign nationals for different types of immigrant and non-immigrant petitions.

Ms. Okura also assists foreign executives and managers in understanding the different employment practices, contract laws, and the complicated legal environment surrounding businesses in the United States. She has counseled and advised multinational corporate clients on legal issues with hiring, discipline, termination, discrimination, harassment, employee handbook, non-compete and employment agreements. In cooperation with a team of Taylor English partners in other practice areas, she also assists multinational companies on various contract agreements and other areas of laws including patent, trademark, environment, import/export, real estate, construction, tax, litigation, etc.

Ms. Okura is well versed in unique Japanese business practices. Prior to moving to the United States, Ms. Okura worked in the manufacturing industry in Japan researching the semiconductor market, investment opportunities, and conducting business in English, Japanese and Chinese. She translated numerous business, legal, financial, accounting and technical documents in these three languages. In addition, Ms. Okura passed the U.S. CPA exam, and worked for banks and financial institutions in the fields of risk management, internal control, financial audit and securitization. With her global business experience and cultural background, Ms. Okura supports foreign executives and managers in understanding and navigating their business in the complicated business and legal environment in the United States.

Ms. Okura contributes to the Japanese community by conducting seminars, trainings and publishing articles on Japanese business magazines, local newspapers and websites.

Affiliations

  • American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Georgia Bar Association
  • Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta, General Counsel
  • Kennesaw State University SAUPO, Board Member
  • Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association (GAPABA)
  • Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia (JCCG)
  • National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA)
  • US-Japan Society of Georgia (JAGS), Board Member

Recognitions

  • Georgia Trend’s Legal Elite, Immigration Law, 2018-2022

Practice Areas

  • Corporate & Business
  • Employment
  • Immigration

Education

  • Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (Tokyo Gai-Dai), BA Chinese, 1987
  • University of South Carolina, College of Law, Moore School of Business, MBA, 2002
  • U.S. CPA exam, passed 1997

Bar Admissions

  • Georgia

Languages

  • Japanese
  • Mandarin (Chinese)

insights

Working from Home and H1B Compliance

May 3rd, 2021

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insights

Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants and Nonimmigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following COVID-2019

June 23rd, 2020

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insights

Travel Restrictions and Maintenance of Immigration Status

April 20th, 2020

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insights

U.S. Visas for Students and Researchers

December 5th, 2018

Masae Okura’s book, “U.S. Visas for Students and Researchers,” is an immigration manual for students and scholars who want to study in…

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