My client got to stay in the U.S. because I chose to change clothes in a FedEx bathroom.

Not a sentence I ever expected to write.

Here’s what happened:

I was preparing an O-1A extraordinary ability petition for the founder of a biotechnology company. 

We thought we had more time... Until we spotted a USCIS error on the expiration date of her F-1 OPT status during a strategy meeting. 

Suddenly, the case had to be filed the very next day or she risked falling out of status.

From that moment, I spent 30 hours straight finalizing her case. 

- Drafting

- Reviewing

- Assembling evidence

All this, until the very last second before the FedEx overnight delivery cutoff.

I had a professional event that evening but spent every last minute finalizing and double-checking the case filing. No time to change into business attire. 

So I threw a dress, mascara, and lipstick into a bag and got ready in the FedEx bathroom after the package was safely on its way.

Not glamorous. 

But 100% worth it.

Because the package was delivered on time. 

And she was able to stay in the U.S. while her extraordinary ability case moved forward.

Immigration law usually looks like carefully and methodically completing paperwork and executing a case strategy.

But sometimes it looks like adrenaline, split-second decisions, and even a FedEx bathroom.

That’s the part of this work I’ll never forget.

When small sacrifices on my side make all the difference for a client’s future.