

Dorothy Hanigan Basmaji
Shareholder
- (248) 540-8019
- (248) 540-7556 (Direct)
- (248) 540-8059
- dbasmaji@vmclaw.com
- Add to Address Book
Dorothy Basmaji's practice focuses on immigration matters. She has extensive experience in seeking internal transfers for corporate employees from other countries, as well as representing corporations seeking external hires. Ms. Basmaji also advises executives and other business professionals regarding complex immigration regulations. She has significant experience in representing clients seeking permanent resident status on the basis of their employment or their relationship to a United States citizen or permanent resident. Ms. Basmaji also counsels employers on I-9 compliance and IRCA discrimination issues.
Before entering private practice she was a law clerk to the Honorable Joseph B. Sullivan of the Michigan Court of Appeals. She is also a registered nurse in the State of Michigan and was an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Wayne State University.
Practice Areas
Immigration Law
Education
Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University (J.D., cum laude, 1986)
Managing Editor, Comments, Detroit College of Law Review (1984-1985)
Note & Comment Editor, Detroit College of Law Review (1984-1985)
Wayne State University (M.S.N., 1967)
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
Michigan State University (B.S., with honors, 1966)
Awards & Recognitions
The Best Lawyers in America: Immigration Law (since 2006)
Best of U.S.’s Best of Class: Lawyers, Immigration
International Who's Who of Business Lawyers: Immigration
Michigan Super Lawyers (since 2006)
Who's Who Legal USA
American Jurisprudence Award for Evidence
Publications & Lectures
Author, "Michigan Businesses Can Successfully Hire and Retain Foreign Employees," Michigan International Lawyer, Fall 1998
Co-Author, "Immigration Reform Legislation: The Business Effects," Laches, May 1997
Author, "People v. Worrell: Equal Protection Under the Assault Laws, Regardless of Age," Detroit College of Law Review, 81, 1985
Professional & Community Activities
Law Clerk to the Honorable Joseph B. Sullivan, Michigan Court of Appeals, 1986-1988
Assistant Professor of Nursing, Wayne State University
Licensed Registered Nurse, State of Michigan, 1966
Bosnian Pro Bono Asylum Project sponsored by the Bosnian Relief Committee and the Archdiocese of Detroit Office of Migration (Program Mentor)
Memberships
State Bar of Michigan (Member, International Law Section, Immigration Law Committee)
Michigan Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (formerly Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Treasurer; Chairperson, Professional Ethics and Grievance Committee)
Liaison Committee to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (former Chairperson)
American Bar Association
Oakland County Bar Association