Matthew Thomas is a partner in the firm of Thomas & Jefferies, PLLC which practices solely in the field of immigration and nationality law. His core practice area is family-based immigration, waivers of inadmissibility, immigration for military families, and visas for victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes. Mr. Thomas previously worked for the international firm of Littler Mendelson Global focusing exclusively on employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant visas and adjustment of status. Prior to his work at Littler Mendelson Global, Mr. Thomas served as a Legal Representative for the Arizona State University Immigration Law and Policy Clinic, representing detained juveniles in immigration proceedings. Additionally, he previously worked as a clerk at the Phoenix Litigation Office of DHS Immigration and Customs Enforcement where he observed adjustment of status interviews and was directly involved in the litigation of a number of immigration cases.
Memberships
State Bar of Arizona
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
Maricopa County Literacy Volunteers
Education
J.D., Arizona State University
B.A., Arizona State University
Languages
Fluent in English and Spanish
Regina Jefferies
Partner in the firm of Thomas & Jefferies, PLLC and practicing solely in the field of immigration and nationality law. Regina Jefferies has extensive experience in family-based immigration, Federal court litigation and deportation defense. Ms. Jefferies is the former Manager of the Immigration Services Program at Friendly House, Inc., a non-profit, social services agency in Phoenix. At Friendly House, Inc. she was responsible for overseeing the immigration program, providing full legal services to clients and conducting outreach and educational seminars. Prior to her work at Friendly House, Inc., Ms. Jefferies worked for the international firm of Littler Mendelson Global, focusing exclusively on employment-based immigration.
Memberships
State Bar of Arizona
Federal District Court of Arizona
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
Secretary of Arizona Chapter of AILA
State Bar of Arizona Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee
Pro Bono Attorney Volunteer National Center for Refugee and Immigrant Children
Pro Bono Attorney Volunteer Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project
National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild
Education
Master of Studies in International Human Rights Law, University of Oxford (2010)
J.D., Arizona State University
B.A., The George Washington University
Publications and Presentations
"The Equitable Application of International Law" Arizona State University Law Journal 2005
Arizona Supreme Court Review, Arizona State University Law Journal 2005
Conference Presenter, National Organization for Victim's Advocates (2009)
Invited Speaker, Fresh Start Women's Program Immigration Class (2008)
Invited Speaker, Phoenix Hispanic Network Luncheon, "Immigration 101" (2008)
Guest Lecturer at Arizona State University, Domestic Violence Class (JUS 329) Regarding Intersection of Domestic Violence and Immigration (2008/2009)
Guest Lecturer, Arizona State University Immigration Law Seminar, November 19, 2007
Arizona Grantmaker's Forum May 2007 Luncheon entitled, "Promoting Immigrant Integration - The Role of Foundations"
Hispanic Outreach Alliance June 2007 Meeting, "Immigration - How Does It Affect Social Service Delivery?"
