Primary Office

2 South Biscayne Boulevard
Suite 3400

Miami, Florida
33131-1897

P: (800) 615-1980
(305) 376-6090

F: (305) 376-6010

jcarmichael@gunster.com

Jay Carmichael joined the firm in 2004. Mr. Carmichael is a retired U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral and former Chief Counsel of the service, Operational District Commander for the southeast U.S. and Caribbean, and senior military assistant to the Secretary Department of Homeland Security.

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Practice Areas[ - ]

• Advise employers on compliance with U.S. immigration laws, procedures and maintaining a legal workforce
• Assist multinationals, financial management and banking organizations, healthcare systems, technology companies, hotels/resorts, professionals, and individual investors fulfill their immigration needs
• Provide corporate strategic counseling regarding matters under the cognizance of federal agencies within the Department of Homeland Security
• Provide advice regarding maritime matters, especially those under the cognizance of the U.S. Coast Guard

Education[ - ]

• George Washington University, LL.M., environmental law, 1993
• University of Miami, J.D., magna cum laude, 1977
• U.S. Coast Guard Academy, B.S., 1970

Honors[ - ]

• Cutterman’s Insignia
• Distinguished Service Medal
• Legion of Merit Medals
• Meritorious Service Medals
• Commendation Medals
• Coast Guard Achievement Medal
• Navy Achievement Medal

Seminars & Presentations[ - ]

•  “How Business Immigration Affects Your Practice: The ABCs of Corporate Immigration,” CLE Seminar, co-presented with Sarah Tobocman and Mariana Ribeiro, January 2011
• “HR Insights 2010,” Panelist, update regarding employer compliance with immigration laws, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Miami, Florida, April 2010
• “Hiring, Documenting, and Terminating H-1B Workers in a Climate of Increased Government Scrutiny,” Panelist, webinar presented by The Employment Law Alliance (ELA), March 2010
• “Maintaining a Legal Work Force, Immigration Compliance & Enforcement Issues,” Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Miami, Florida, June 2009
• “Fraud, Forms and the Feds: Ensuring a Legal Workforce in the New Age of Worksite Enforcement” training presentation to employers

Publications[ - ]

• “Recruiting Foreign Workers in the United States – How to Remain Competitive and Ensure Compliance in a Climate of Increased Government Scrutiny,” MOBILITY Magazine, Co-authored with Sarah Tobocman and Mariana Ribeiro, August 2010
• “Immigration Law,” National Association for Health Care Recruitment Handbook 2010, Co-author, April 2010
• “Verifying Employment Eligibility Enters the Legal Crosshairs,” Co-authored with Sarah Lea Tobocman; South Florida Business Journal Book of Law, 2007

Professional Associations & Memberships[ - ]

• American Bar Association
• Maritime Law Association
• Dade County Bar Association

Bar Admissions[ - ]

• The Florida Bar, 1977

Civic & Community Service[ - ]

• Miami River Commission, Governor’s At-Large Member and Vice Chairman
• Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
  Former Executive Committee Member, Advocacy Group and Leadership
      Group Chair
• Coral Gables Emergency Management Committee
• Governor’s Advisory Council on Base Realignment and Closure, former member

Prior Professional Experience[ - ]

• Rear Admiral U.S. Coast Guard with 34 years of service
• U.S. Coast Guard Chief Counsel
• Seventh Coast Guard District Commander responsible for southeast U.S., eastern Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean operations
• Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Commanding Officer, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter
• Legal Officer, National Pollution Funds Center, a unit that was created to implement the liability and compensation aspects of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990
• Numerous other operational and law specialist assignments on both U.S. coasts
• Federal law enforcement official