Cross-border business immigration attorney with significant experience in E-1 and E-2 treaty trader and investor visas for entrepreneurs and companies entering or expanding in the U.S. market, as well as employment-based green cards for high-level business professionals.
Zach Ahlstrom helps individuals and corporations navigate the path to living and working in the United States. As a Senior Associate at Berardi Immigration Law, a nationally recognized immigration firm headquartered in Buffalo, New York, with offices in New York City, Newport Beach, Toronto, and London, Zach has dedicated his entire legal career to U.S. immigration law. From multinational executives transferring to U.S. offices to professionals pursuing permanent residency, Zach guides clients through every stage of the immigration process with precision and care.
Experience & Case Focus
Zach’s practice spans the full spectrum of employment-based and family-based immigration matters, including:
- Temporary work visas — E-1 treaty trader and E-2 treaty investor visas; L-1 intracompany transferee visas; TN visas for USMCA professionals; O-1 visas for individuals of extraordinary ability; P-1 visas for internationally recognized athletes and entertainers; H-1B specialty occupation visas; and E-3 visas for Australian professionals
- Employment-based green cards — with a focus on EB-1 petitions for multinational managers and executives, as well as other pathways for high-level business professionals
- Family-based immigration — including naturalization applications
- Cross-border representation — counseling Canadian professionals, executives, and investors entering the U.S. market, a cornerstone of Berardi Immigration Law’s U.S.–Canada practice
Since joining the firm in 2017, Zach has prepared and overseen hundreds of successful petitions across many industries, including technology, healthcare, manufacturing, professional services and more.
Philosophy & Approach
Immigration law is dense, technical, and constantly changing, and Zach believes his clients should never have to feel that weight. Known for his exceptional legal writing and command of the nuance that defines U.S. immigration law, he translates complex regulations into clear next steps. Clients can expect responsive communication, meticulously prepared filings, and honest counsel about the strongest path forward. For Zach, every petition represents a person, a family, or a business with something significant at stake.
“The United States is a nation of immigrants, and it is a privilege to assist those who wish to call this great country their home.”
Beyond the Office
Zach’s commitment to accessible legal guidance began in law school, where he staffed the Federal Pro Se Civil Litigation Help Desk at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, assisting self-represented litigants navigating the federal court system. He also served as a Writing Fellow to the Dean at the University at Buffalo School of Law. Outside of work, Zach can usually be found outdoors golfing, watching baseball, or riding his bike around Western New York.
Bar Admissions
New York, 2019
Awards & Recognition
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2021–2026 — an honor awarded to no more than 2.5% of attorneys in New York State
- Mercyhurst University, Summa Cum Laude graduate, 2014
Education
- University at Buffalo School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2018
- Mercyhurst University, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, summa cum laude, 2014