Fausta Albi’s Story

As a Co-Managing Partner of LARRABEE ALBI COKER, LLP, Fausta shares responsibility for all aspects of Firm management, direction and oversight; provides legal counsel on immigration matters to corporate clients, universities and research institutes, and individuals; monitors changes in immigration laws, agency regulations and policies; and liaises and corresponds with various U.S. government agencies.

A child of immigrants from the region of Calabria in Southern Italy, Fausta had first-hand experience in the challenges and benefits of assimilating traditional Italian culture and familial expectations with the independent culture and diverse opportunities of the United States. An appreciation of languages and cultures fostered since childhood developed into an interest in international human rights, global socio-economic and political issues, and social service. Experience in social work with at-risk teenagers led to an interest in law school, with a goal of obtaining the tools to make a difference at the policy level. In law school, Fausta discovered the field of immigration. It seemed a good match, as the field requires a commitment to social justice and human rights, as well as an understanding of international affairs and economic and political concerns. Fausta’s practice in the field of immigration law over the past 17 years has evolved to a heavier focus on the interplay of a global economy and a globally mobile workforce, to which the Firm dedicates its energies today.

Fausta provides legal counsel on immigration matters as primary attorney to corporate clients, research institutes and universities, predominantly in the Information Technology, Biotechnology, Education, and Scientific Research sectors. Specifically, she advises on legal issues related to procuring all types of employment-based nonimmigrant visas (including B-1, H-1B, L-1A/B, TN-1/2, O-, E-1/2, E-3); labor certifications (PERM and special handling); employment-based immigrant visa petitions (Extraordinary Ability, Multinational Executive/Manager, Outstanding Researcher, National Interest Waiver, and labor certification-based petitions); adjustment of status and consular processing issues, for both employment-based and family-based cases; and naturalization. She also advises on the immigration consequences of mergers, acquisitions, and reductions in force; as well as compliance with I-9, E-Verify, and worksite enforcement issues.

Fausta is a frequent speaker on immigration issues both in the San Diego community and nationally; is active in liaison groups with government agencies; and is active in national and community-based immigration advocacy organizations.

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Fausta is a dual U.S. and Canadian citizen. She is proficient in Spanish and French, and conversational in Italian.

Bar Admissions

State Bar of California, California Supreme Court

United States District Court, Southern District of California

United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit

Education

Juris Doctor
University of San Diego School of Law
San Diego, California
1996

Certificate, International Human Rights Law
Santa Clara University School of Law, Institute of International and Comparative Law, 1994

Institut International des Droits de l’Homme (International Institute of Human Rights), Strasbourg, France
Institut Henri Dunant, Geneva, Switzerland

Bachelor of Arts Sociology/Anthropology
Lewis and Clark College
Portland, Oregon
1991

French Studies, Institut Supérieur Interrégional d’Education Permanente, Strasbourg, France 1989

Professional Memberships

American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

Italian-American Lawyers Association

Languages

Spanish – proficient
Italian – conversational
French – conversational