Immigration Law Firms in Louisiana

Laura Buck is an associate attorney at Phelps Dunbar LLP. Laura is particularly experienced in immigration law, having practiced in the immigration section of the Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic and Center for Social Justice before joining the firm. Laura is the Co-Founder and member of the Immigration Law Member Section of the Louisiana State Bar Association. She is also a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Laura focuses on all areas of immigration law with a particular emphasis on employment based immigration.

A proud product of U.S. immigration himself, Jesse Marchan provides his clients with a unique understanding and hands on experience in family and employment based immigration. He has over 25 years of combined legal experience; 20 years as an immigration lawyer, handling basic to complex immigration law issues for individuals, families, and various organizations all over the country. Representative clients include private and public school systems, religious and medical organizations, and businesses recruiting workers for under-served areas. Before moving to the U. S. in the mid 90s, Mr. Marchan was a litigation attorney at the law firm of Remollo, Melocoton and Associates in Makati, Philippines. During the same period, he also served as staff attorney and later, consultant to then Senator Agapito A. Aquino at the Senate of the Philippines. Jesse, is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. He speaks Cebuano, Tagalog and English.

To say that Chris is passionate about the practice of immigration law would be an understatement. Chris thrives on helping those in destitute situations trying to make a better life for themselves. Chris's passion stems from his upbringing overseas. Chris was born in Thailand in 1978 close to the Cambodian border where he regularly saw refugees housed behind barbed wire fences as a result of the civil war in Cambodia. After graduating from Auburn University in 2001, Chris moved to Cambodia where he spent two years teaching English at the Royal University of Phnom Penh and working at an internal displacement camp. It was Chris's weekly interactions with internally displaced peoples that reignited his passions for helping those in desperate situations. Upon returning to the United States in 2003, Chris moved to the Bay Area where he received his master of arts in theological studies. Immediately thereafter, Chris moved to Baton Rouge in 2007 where he attended Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University. During his studies, Chris attended an immigration law clinic where he successfully represented clients seeking a U visa and filing a VAWA petition. In 2010, Chris graduated cum laude (top 25%) where he received his juris doctor degree. Chris has excelled throughout his nine year tenure as an attorney. In Chris's first five years of practice, he worked for a mid-sized law firm which was recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of the top rated law firms in the United States in 2013. In 2019, Chris was selected by Super Lawyers Magazine to the list of 2019 Louisiana Rising Stars, a recognition reserved for the top 5% of lawyers in Louisiana. Since 2010, Chris has primarily focused his practice in immigration law where he handles all types of immigration matters. Chris spends much of his time travelling across the state of Louisiana where he visits his many immigrant clients detained all across detention centers throughout Louisiana and Mississippi.

I am passionate about helping people solve their issues. In addition to running my own law firm, I also own other business ventures in various industries, which ownership at times has pushed me to think outside the box to solve more complex issues. This gives me an added depth of problem solving that my clients need. I fight hard to provide my clients with competent and efficient representation.

I am the Owner and Managing Attorney of Ware | Immigration. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University in 2000 and my J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans in 2005. During law school, I was a member of the Maritime Law Journal and participated in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. My interest in immigration law began while working as a constituent services representative for U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu. I joined Ware | Immigration in 2006 as an associate attorney, initially focusing on family-based immigration cases. Soon after, my practice shifted to employment-based immigration, particularly nonimmigrant visas. In this role, I advise universities and private employers across industries such as healthcare, public utilities, oil and gas, and accounting on immigration options for their employees. I find great fulfillment in helping U.S. employers bring talented professionals from around the globe to meet their business needs. In 2023, I became the sole owner and manager of Ware | Immigration, earning the firm recognition as a WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise. I am committed to upholding the firm’s tradition of exceptional client service and providing comprehensive legal solutions. I am a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and have served as Chair of AILA’s Midsouth section. Additionally, I am actively involved with NAFSA and frequently present on various immigration topics.