MARKETA LINDT is a partner in Sidley’s Chambers-ranked Immigration Practice where she works with U.S. and multinational corporations to implement efficient business immigration visa programs so that they can best attract and retain foreign national talent.
Experienced business immigration partner: In her business immigration practice, Marketa represents
- large multinational corporations,
- U.S. publicly traded and privately-held companies,
- private equity and portfolio companies,
- high-potential start-ups,
- universities and healthcare institutions, and
- high net worth individuals in personal immigration matters, including EB-5 investments, complex white collar issues, and immigration status for their employees.
Leader in I-9 compliance and defense: Marketa also leads Sidley’s I-9 compliance practice, where she counsels and defends companies regarding their hiring practices of foreign national employees and compliance with the government’s I-9 verification requirements. In her I-9 compliance practice, Marketa
- provides proactive counseling on I-9 hiring practices and the E-Verify process,
- defends employers in civil and criminal workplace enforcement actions,
- conducts immigration-related internal investigations, and
- conducts due diligence and analysis of I-9 issues in mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate transactions.
Recognition by clients and peers: Marketa is recognized as one of the leading corporate immigration lawyers internationally in the Chambers USA (National Band 1) and Chambers Global (Global Band 1) Immigration rankings, where clients said:
- “Marketa is an outstanding lawyer. She’s extremely bright, very organized and does a wonderful job representing clients.”
- “Marketa is a strong immigration partner with a very strategic immigration mindset.”
- “She always provides thoughtful and practical advice, and is extremely knowledgeable in her field. I am also impressed by her responsiveness.”
In addition to her top global Chambers ranking, Marketa is recognized as one of the leading U.S. immigration lawyers in:
- Who’s Who Legal Thought Leaders – Corporate Immigration
- National Law Journal’s Immigration Trailblazers
- LawDragon’s 100 Leading Immigration Lawyers
- International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers
- Who’s Who Legal: Illinois
- The Best Lawyers in America
In 2020, Marketa received the Marjorie Matson Woman of the Year Award from the Pitt Law Women’s Association in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the legal field.
Past president of national immigration bar and policy advocate: Marketa is actively engaged in national and regional advocacy efforts to change our laws and regulations so that they better serve U.S. employers, foster economic growth, and promote fairness and justice in the immigration system. In June 2020, she completed a one-year term as elected national President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). As such, Marketa testified at a hearing before the House Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee regarding business immigration processing delays at USCIS and founded AILA’s litigation department. Marketa also serves as a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce immigration policy committee.
National speaker and thought leader: Marketa regularly speaks at national and regional conferences regarding business immigration law and I-9 compliance. She is a primary author of the immigration law and practice treatise Business Immigration Law. Marketa has also authored articles for a number of leading immigration texts, including AILA’s Guide to Worksite Enforcement and Compliance, the Guide to PERM Labor Certification, and numerous annual editions of the Immigration & Nationality Law Handbook. She serves as an editor of Kurzban’s Immigration Law Sourcebook. She has appeared a number of times on television, radio, and in print regarding developments in immigration law.
Pro bono and community advocate: In addition to her business practice, Marketa is committed to promoting human rights and providing access to counsel for underserved immigrants. For a number of years, Marketa has served as a member of the Leadership Board of the National Immigrant Justice Center in Chicago and promoted its pro bono partnership with Sidley Austin. As AILA President, in 2020 Marketa led a delegation to the southern border to bring awareness to the human rights issues in the tent courts in Brownsville, Texas and the refugee camp in Matamoros, Mexico. She also serves in an advisory capacity to several Chicago-area cultural institutions and organizations that provide assistance to underserved immigrant communities.