Melissa Azallion Kenny

Melissa Azallion Kenny is the Chair of the firm’s Immigration practice group. She has more than 20 years of experience advising clients on business immigration and labor and employment law issues. Ms. Kenny represents clients in multiple industries including manufacturing, technology, health care, quick service/food service, hospitality, government and education. In addition to serving as legal counsel for clients over the past fifteen years, Ms. Kenny worked as a Human Resources Administrator and Affirmative Action Director for the University of Dayton, where she was responsible for writing and directing the University's Affirmative Action Plan.

Immigration Representation

Ms. Kenny’s immigration experience includes the representation of multinational and domestic corporations, their employees and private individuals in business immigration matters before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Department of Labor, and at U.S. Consulates and Embassies throughout the world. Ms. Kenny assists businesses in obtaining and maintaining temporary work visas for professionals and skilled workers. She also has substantial experience assisting U.S. and international companies in sponsoring foreign nationals for green cards including labor certifications, national interest waivers and extraordinary alien petitions, among others. She processes J-1 visa waivers for foreign medical graduates and advises students and exchange visitors on a diverse range of issues. Ms. Kenny defends U.S. employers involved in ICE and state immigration audits, and conducts training sessions for clients on immigration matters including I-9 and E-Verify compliance.

Labor and Employment Representation

Ms. Kenny provides advice and consultation to clients and assists in litigation matters on topics including: harassment and discrimination, wage and hour issues, restrictive covenants, FMLA, ADA and worker’s compensation issues, affirmative action and OFCCP compliance. Additionally, Ms. Kenny regularly provides client training on a diverse range of employment topics including discrimination and harassment in the workplace. Ms. Kenny represents clients before the EEOC, U.S. Department of Labor and other employment agencies. She also advises clients on affirmative action issues in OFCCP compliance desk audits and reviews.

Ms. Kenny is a frequent speaker for community and business organizations on immigration and employment topics. She also previously served on the firm’s Executive Committee

• Named, Legal Elite of the Upstate, Greenville Business Magazine (2018)
• 2012 Leadership in Law Recipient
• "40 Under 40" Award, Savannah Business Journal
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent© Peer Review Rating

• Member of the Board of Directors, Hilton Head Christian Academy
• Past Member of the Board of Directors, Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce
• Past Chairperson, Lowcountry Workforce Investment Board
• Greater Island Council

• Chairperson, South Carolina Bar, Immigration Law Committee
• American Immigration Lawyers Association
• National Association of College and University Attorneys

Paralegal

Amy Auer
(803) 753-3230
aauer@burr.com