Law Blog

SAFE vs. Convertible Note: Which is Better for a Startup?
Startup Toni Xu Startup Toni Xu

SAFE vs. Convertible Note: Which is Better for a Startup?

Simple Agreements for Future Equity (“SAFE”) and Convertible Notes are two popular funding documents used by startup companies and investors in early-stage funding deals. They are both convertible securities, meaning that the investor provides funding to a startup today with the expectation of converting it into ownership or equity in the company later.

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Guide to the Blanket L-1 Visa Petition
Visa, L-1, Employment Toni Xu Visa, L-1, Employment Toni Xu

Guide to the Blanket L-1 Visa Petition

The blanket L-1 visa petition allows an organization to submit a single “blanket” petition instead of submitting L-1 intracompany transferee visas separately for each employee, potentially saving processing time and hassle for the company. By getting an L-1 visa blanket petition, L-1 employees are eligible to apply for their L1 visa directly at the consulate without having to get their I-129 approved first. This allows organizations to petition to bring foreign employees to the United States quickly and on short notice.

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Can I Work While My STEM OPT EAD is Pending
Toni Xu Toni Xu

Can I Work While My STEM OPT EAD is Pending

A common question we get asked is around work authorization for pending STEM OPT applications. This is a very common scenario. After an F-1 student’s regular OPT has expired, but before the new STEM OPT is issued, can the F-1 student work?

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How Long Does It Take to Get Citizenship using N-400?
Toni Xu Toni Xu

How Long Does It Take to Get Citizenship using N-400?

The journey for U.S. citizenship is indeed a long one, but definitely worth the wait. The process of becoming a U.S. citizen begins with a process called naturalization. Naturalization refers to a process through which a non U.S. born person becomes a U.S. citizen. For most people, naturalization is only possible once they have been a lawful permanent resident (LPR), or a “green card holder” for many years. In this article, we will go into details of how to obtain citizenship via naturalization, and how long the naturalization process takes.

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How to Dispute a YouTube Content ID Claim
Toni Xu Toni Xu

How to Dispute a YouTube Content ID Claim

YouTube Content ID Claims can be scary. We explain the system and what you can do. If you are a YouTuber who has received a claim against your video, it is important to consult an experienced attorney.

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When to Hire an Amazon Seller Attorney
Toni Xu Toni Xu

When to Hire an Amazon Seller Attorney

An intellectual property attorney can analyze whether your product is, in fact, a counterfeit product that infringes on a registered trademark, but often, these claims are brought against sellers who are legally selling authentic products.

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USCIS Allows Refiling of Rejected H-1B Petitions from FY2021
Toni Xu Toni Xu

USCIS Allows Refiling of Rejected H-1B Petitions from FY2021

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will accept refiled fiscal year 2021 (FY2021) H-1B cap-subject petitions that were initially rejected or administratively closed because their requested start date was after October 1, 2020.

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How to Start a Professional Practice in New York
Toni Xu Toni Xu

How to Start a Professional Practice in New York

At Xu Law Group, one of our areas of specialty is to help professionals set up their own practice legally. We work with physicians, dentists, pharmacists, psychiatrists, architects, engineers, physical therapists, designers and coaches to establish their businesses within the state of New York.

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The Ultimate Guide to OPT (Optional Practical Training)
F1 student, OPT, Immigration Toni Xu F1 student, OPT, Immigration Toni Xu

The Ultimate Guide to OPT (Optional Practical Training)

Under U.S. immigration law, Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Under OPT, students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion).

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What does Biden’s Presidency Mean for Immigration?
Toni Xu Toni Xu

What does Biden’s Presidency Mean for Immigration?

President-elect Joe Biden has pledged in the first 100 days of his administration to implement a number of immigration-related actions that will walk back a laundry list of Trump-era restrictions. Below is a list of Biden’s immigration plans:

Reforming the visa program for temporary workers in select industries that depend on seasonal and short-term workers.

Ensuring that high-skilled temporary visas “not be used to disincentivize recruiting workers already in the U.S. for in-demand occupations.”

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What is the E-2 Treaty Investor VISA and How Can I Apply?
Toni Xu Toni Xu

What is the E-2 Treaty Investor VISA and How Can I Apply?

E-2 TREATY INVESTOR VISA SUMMARY:

The E-2 treaty investor visa was established to facilitate trade between the U.S. and its treaty countries. It is only available to nationals from countries that have an E-2 treaty with the United States. It allows the foreign investor to live and work in the United States. It can also be used for managers and essential employees of larger companies to be brought over to the U.S.

E-2 TREATY INVESTOR VISA ELIGIBILITY:

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What is the O-1 Visa and How Do I Apply?
Toni Xu Toni Xu

What is the O-1 Visa and How Do I Apply?

The O-1 visa is also known as the "Extraordinary Ability Visa." This Visa is designed for people with exceptional skills in science, education, business, athletics, and arts, including performing arts.

There are two types of O-1 VISA, O-1A and O-1B.

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