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Robert Loughran

Partner

512-852-4142
rloughran@FosterGlobal.com
AUSTIN

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Biography

Robert Loughran is a partner at Foster LLP in our Austin office. Named “Lawyer of the Year” in Austin, TX by Best Lawyers in America and recently recognized as a Thought Leader in Corporate Immigration by Who’s Who Legal, his practice is concentrated in the areas of corporate immigration, emigration to third countries, and related international law.

Robert graduated from South Texas College of Law and received his undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin.

Robert is an active member of the community, and is involved with more than fourteen different councils, committees and organizations including the British Business Association, the Texas Board of Legal Specialization Standards and Fitness Committee, and the Texas State Bar Standing Committee on Laws Relating to Immigration and Nationality. He also presents frequently before legal, professional, and academic organizations on the topics of U.S. and foreign work authorization, employer sanctions, maintenance of status, and changes in government proceedings.

Robert is Board Certified in Immigration & Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is licensed to practice in the State of Texas. Robert is also an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s (AILA’s) National Committee on Business Immigration and Austin Bar Association.

 

Why Did You Decide To Become An Immigration Attorney?

I come from a family of immigrants and travelers. At a young age I was enrolled in a middle school in Chile.  Then again in college and law school I studied in Chile and Spain and has since been drawn to working with people from other countries and sharing their experiences. From my time living and studying abroad, I concluded that learning facts in a classroom is not enough, but rather true knowledge is achieved through the understanding of different experiences and points of view. I continually strive to have an international outlook and understand the perspectives of people from a variety of backgrounds. – Robert Loughran

Activities
  • December, 2019 – Presented to Austin Technology Council members on how daily changes in immigration are impacting foreign tech workers in Austin, TX.
  • November, 2019 – Presented to U.S. employment-based immigration considerations and strategies to a group of investors and entrepreneurs from Mexico at a seminar hosted by the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation. 
  • November, 2019 – Interviewed for an article entitled “Renouncing US citizenship: a comprehensive guide” in the November 2019 edition of Sovereign Man’s premium publication, “SovereignMan: Confidential.” 
  • May, 2019 – Presented an update on Nonimmigrant Visa Processing at U.S. Consulates Abroad at the Federal Bar Association Immigration Law Conference in Austin, TX.
  • May, 2019 – Presented an employment based immigration update entitled “How Employment Based Immigration Practice Has Evolved under the Current Administration to Include Litigation” to the Immigration & Nationality Section at the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting in Austin, TX.
  • March, 2019 – Panelist “How Foreign Entrepreneurs Thrive in Trump’s America: It’s (Not So) Complicated” at South by Southwest in Austin, TX.
  • June, 2018 – Presented “Adapting to New Procedures Under the ‘Buy American, Hire American’ Executive Order,” at the University of Texas System Benefits & Human Resources Conference.
  • June, 2018 – Panelist for “Multinational Executives Managers and Specialists – No Longer Favored Categories,” at the Council for Global Immigration 2018 Symposium in Arlington, VA.
  • November, 2017 – Presented “Alternatives to EB-5 – Because It’s Too Damn Hard!” at the ILW tele-seminar.
  • November, 2017 – Presented on active and passive investment-based immigration options for foreign entrepreneurs at the 8th Annual Global Immigration Conference of the International Bar Association in London.
  • October, 2017 – Presented at the Global Citizenship Seminar in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on the current U.S. administration’s impact on immigration strategies available to Middle Eastern investors interested in relocating to the United States.
  • April, 2005 – Moderated a well-received panel at the annual conference of the International Center of Austin. The panel, entitled, “Going Global Step-by-Step: Taking Advantage of Foreign Markets,” focused on outbound international business strategies.
  • March, 2005 – Served as a presenter and a panelist on the Immigration and Tax Consequences of Global Relocation for ERC’s Global Mobility Specialist Certification Program
  • February, 2005 – Facilitated a meeting between the CIS and the Central Texas Chapter of AILA in San Antonio, Texas.
  • January, 2005 – Attended a meeting of the State Bar of Texas Committee on Laws Relating to Immigration and Nationality in El Paso, Texas.
  • November, 2004 – Presented on “Establishing Corporate Viability” and “Update from the DHS San Antonio District Office” at the AILA Fall Conference in Houston, Texas.
  • October, 2004 – Attended a meeting of the State Bar of Texas Committee on Laws Relating to Immigration and Nationality Law in San Antonio, Texas.
  • October, 2004 – Met with senior representatives of the U.S. State Department, Department of Labor, the Texas Attorney General, and the Department of Homeland Security at a meeting of the State Bar of Texas Committee on Laws Related to Immigration and Nationality.
  • August, 2004 – Led a meeting between AILA and the Department of Homeland Security’s San Antonio District Office to discuss the implementation of Infopass, local procedural changes and other issues of concern to Immigration practitioners.
  • July, 2004 – Appointed to another term as AILA/San Antonio District Office Liaison. In this capacity, he will continue to facilitate communication between Central Texas Immigration practitioners and the San Antonio District Offices of the Department of Homeland Security.
  • June, 2004 – Presented on EB-5 Investor Visas at the 2004 AILA Annual Conference on Immigration Law in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  • April, 2004 – Presented at the 2004 Gulf Coast Symposium on Human Resources Issues in Houston, Texas. Mr. Loughran delivered a presentation entitled “Adapting Immigration Strategies to Changing Economies and Evolving Political Events.
  • March, 2004- Presented “Technology Alert List Export Controls / Customs Issues Affecting the Business Immigration Practice” at the AILA Texas Chapter Annual Spring Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
  • April, 2003 – Presented a San Antonio BCIS District Office Procedures Update to the American Immigration Lawyers Association Spring meeting at South Padre Island.
  • February, 2003 – Presented Special Registration options under the National Security Entry/Exit System to the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors at the Association’s Spring conference held at the University of Texas.
  • January 23, 2003 – Presented with Camille Whitworth and Martin Hale on Special Registration options under the National Security Entry/Exit System to the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Austin Texas.
  • December, 2002 – Presented on L – Intracompany Transferee visas at the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association’s Winter conference in Cancun, Mexico.
  • November, 2002 – Presented at the Austin Legal Secretaries Association on the topic of “Immigration Law – What’s it Really All About?”
  • October, 2002 – Presented at the University of Texas School of Law’s 26th Annual Conference on Immigration and Naturalization Law. Mr. Loughran’s topic was “Maintenance of Status: Keeping Them Here Until You Win.”
  • August, 2002 – Presented on “The Immigration Consequences of September 11th from an Employer’s Perspective” at the Austin Human Resource Management Association’s Annual Conference.

  • December, 2001 – Presented at the Travis County Bar Association on the Immediate Immigration Consequences of September 11th.

Media

Awards
  • Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leader, Corporate Immigration (2019 – 2021)
  • Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” in Austin, TX (2014, 2018, 2020)
  • Best Lawyers in America (2008 – Present)
  • Texas Super Lawyer (2004 – Present)
  • Who’s Who Legal: Corporate Immigration (2000 – Present)
  • United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast Award for Professional Service
  • Associated Catholic Charities Award for Professional Service