Michael R. Jarecki is the principal and founding attorney of Jarecki Law Group, LLC. He represents clients in employment, business, family, and humanitarian immigration matters throughout the United States and with U.S. Consular posts worldwide. In 2021, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Chicago Chapter awarded Michael its highest individual honor—the Minsky Beacon of Light Award—for his dedication to the advancement of the immigration field and for outstanding mentorship.
Michael is a current Board Member of the Federal Bar Association’s Immigration Law Section and is a member of the 2025 cohort of the Chicago Council of Global Affairs Emerging Leaders program.
Michael previously served as a two-term elected Director of the AILA Board of Governors (2018-2024) and as Chair of the AILA Chicago Chapter (2017-2018).
Michael has been recognized by SuperLawyers and Leading Lawyers in Illinois for Immigration and as one of the Best LGBT Attorneys Under 40, Class of 2012, by the National LGBT Bar Association, an affiliate of the American Bar Association. In 2020, Michael was selected by Crain’s Chicago Business as a Notable LGBTQ Executive. He is a frequent speaker at legal conferences and with national and local media.
Professional Associations / Committees
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
- Member, 2005 to Present
- Member, LGBT National Working Group, 2007 to Present
- Member, LGBTQ+ Affinity Group, 2005 to Present
- Member, USCIS Field Operations Committee, 2024-2025
- Member, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, 2023-2024
- Member, USCIS Headquarters Liaison Committee, 2022-2024
- Director, Board of Governors, 2018-2024
- Chair, Chicago Chapter, 2017-2018
- Executive Committee, Chicago Chapter, 2013-2017
- Program Chair, Midwest Regional Conference, 2017
- Member, Chicago Media Committee, 2011-2013
- Member, Chicago Liaison Committee to USCIS Chicago District Office, 2011-2013
- Vice Chair, Chicago Liaison Committee to Chicago CBP, 2011-2012
- Chair, LGBT National Working Group, 2008-2012
- Co-Chair, Chicago Chapter New Member’s Division, 2009-2011
- Founding Member, Chicago Chapter LGBT Committee, 2007
National Immigrant Justice Center
- Leadership Board, 2012 to Present
Chicago Council of Global Affairs
- Emerging Leader, 2025
Advisory Council to Honorable Mike Quigley (IL 5th Congressional District)
- Member, LGBT & Immigration Issues Committee, 2009 to 2020
LGBTQ Immigrant Rights Coalition of Chicago
- Member, 2009 to 2020
Lesbian & Gay Bar Association of Chicago
- Member, 2006 to 2015
AIDS Legal Council of Chicago
- Board of Ambassadors Member, 2012-2014
American Immigration Council (AIC)
- Ambassador to AILA Chicago Chapter, 2010-212
Loyola University Chicago LGBTQ Alumni Network
- Co-Chair & Founding Member, 2009-2012
Bar Admissions
- Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 2013
- District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 2005
- State of Illinois, 2004
- State of New York, 2016
Education
- University of Illinois College of Law – Juris Doctor, 2004
- University of Illinois Law Review, Member, 2003-2004
- CALI Excellence Award for Top Academic Performer in Immigration Law Class, Fall 2002
- Civil Litigation Clinic
- Loyola University Chicago – Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Loyola Rome Center – Fall 2000
Speaking Engagements
2025
- Discussion Leader, “Interview Insight: Navigating Visits to Local USCIS Field Offices with Confidence,” presented at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Hot Topics and Survival Skills Conference, Virtual, March 2025
2024
- Discussion Leader, “‘This Isn’t Our First Rodeo’: Navigating Complex Naturalization and N-336 Appeals,” presented at the AILA Fall Conference (Removal and Family Track), Dallas, TX, September 2024
- Panelist, “AOS, EB and Humanitarian Collide,” presented at the Federal Bar Association’s Immigration Law Conference, Salt Lake City, UT, September 2024
- Panelist, “Litigating Challenging Immigration Denials and Delays,” presented at the AILA National Conference, Chicago, IL, June 2024
- Panelist, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together – Litigating after Delay or Denial,” presented at the AILA Chicago’s Spring Conference, Chicago, IL, March 2024
2023
- Panelist, “Tips, Tricks, and Pitfalls in Submitting Family Cases,” presented at the AILA National Conference, Orlando, FL, June 2023
- Panelist, “Immigration Updates affecting LGBTQ+ Individuals,” presented at the Lavender Law Conference, Chicago, IL, June 2023
2022
- Panelist, “Avoiding Ethical Rules Minefields as We Take our Practices to the Next Level in a Digital Paradigm,” presented at the AILA’s Latin America and Caribbean Chapter Conference, Mexico City, December 2022
- Panelist, “Mandamus Filings in Federal Court,” presented at the AILA Chicago Chapter’s New Member Division, October 2022
- Panelist, “Inclusive Employee Retention and Progression in a Diverse Workplace,” presented at the AILA National Conference, New York, NY, June 2022
2021
- Panelist, “Demystifying Litigation: Discussion with First-Time Litigators,” presented at the AILA’s Federal Court Conference on Business Litigation, Virtual, October 2021
- Panelist, “Hot Topics: Family-Based Immigration in the Time of Biden,” presented at the AILA National Conference, Virtual, June 2021
2020
- Panelist, “H, L, and other NIVs – To Be or Not to Be?,” presented at the AILA’s Latin America and Caribbean Chapter’s Webinar Series, Virtual, October 2020
- Panelist, “Affordable Litigation Strategies Part I,” presented at the AILA University’s Video Roundtable Discussion Series, Virtual, October 2020
- Panelist, “‘Ch-Ch-Changes’: Regulatory, Policy, and Adjudications,” presented at the AILA National Conference, Virtual, July 2020
2019
- Panelist, “Regulatory and Policy Changes at USCIS and DOS: Part I,” presented at the AILA National Conference, Orlando, FL, June 2019
- Panelist, “The Unauthorized Presence Memo and Other New Legal Issues for International Students,” presented at the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers (NAFSA) Region V Conference, Milwaukee, WI, November 2019
2018
- Panelist, “Diversity in Modern Marriages: Proving Bona Fide Marriage in a System Stuck in the 1950’s,” presented at the AILA National Conference, San Francisco, CA, June 2018
2017
- Discussion Leader, “Travel Bans, New Legislation, Administrative Changes, and Sanctuary Cities ‘Pan’s Labyrinth,’” presented at the AILA California Chapters CLE Conference, Los Angeles, CA, November 2017
- Discussion Leader, “Call Me Old Fashioned: Refresher on K-1 Rules of Engagement and K-3 Marriages,” presented at the AILA National Conference, New Orleans, LA, June 2017
2016
- Discussion Leader, “Intro to Business Law,” presented at the Federal Bar Association Immigration Law Conference, New Orleans, LA, May 2016
- Discussion Leader, “Primer Basics: Applications before the USCIS Asylum Office and the Immigration Court,” presented at the AILA Chicago Midwest Regional Conference, Chicago, IL, March 2016
2015
- Panelist, “NIVs Outside the Box: W_at the _ell am I going to do wit_out an H?,” presented at the Rocky Mountain Immigration Law Conference, Denver, CO, October 2015
- Panelist, “LGBT or Q? Prove It: Bias in the Adjudication of Immigration Claims Based on Sexual Orientation,” presented at the Lavender Law Conference, Chicago, IL, August 2015
- Panelist, “Mock Interviews—Advanced Marriage-Based Waiver and Naturalization Strategies,” presented at the AILA National Conference, Washington, DC, June 2015
- Panelist, “Meeting the Challenges of Non-Immigrant Visas (B, F, H, L, O, P and R),” presented at the Federal Bar Association Immigration Law Conference, Memphis, TN, May 2015
2014
- Panelist, “Discretionary Alternatives to CIR,” presented at the Rocky Mountain Regional Immigration Law Conference, Denver, CO, October 2014
- Moderator, “A New Urgency in Asylum Law,” presented at the Lavender Law Conference, New York, NY, August 2014
- Discussion Leader, “What Employment-Based Attorneys Should Know When Working with Same-Sex Couples,” presented at the AILA National Conference, Boston, MA, June 2014
- Panelist, “Update on Immigration Issues at the State Level & for LGBT Immigrants post-Windsor,” presented to Chicago Young Public Interest Lawyers Network, Chicago, IL, January 2014
2013
- Speaker, “DOMA and its Implications on Immigration,” presented at Chicago Kent College of Law, Chicago, IL, November 2013
- Panelist, “Advanced Issues in Adjustment of Status,” presented at the Rocky Mountain Regional Immigration Law Conference, Blackhawk, CO, October 2013
- Panelist, the Illinois State Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights Hearing on the Immigration Reform Bill’s Civil Rights Implications, Chicago, IL, September 2013
- Moderator, “Immigration Options for Chemists,” presented at the American Chemical Society Career Fair, Indianapolis, IN, September 2013
- Panelist, “The Future of LGBT Immigration: A Discussion of Immigration Issues in Light of Comprehensive Immigration Reform & Judicial Action on DOMA,” presented at the Lavender Law Conference, San Francisco, CA, August 2013
- Panelist, “‘Ain’t Too Proud to Beg:’ USCIS District Office Practice,” presented at the American Immigration Lawyers Association National Conference, San Francisco, CA, June 2013
- Panelist, “Comprehensive Immigration Reform and You: The New Bill and the LGBTQ Community,” presented at the Center on Halsted, Chicago, IL, May 2013
- Panelist, “Still in the Shadows?: A Community Forum on Immigration,” presented at Lincoln United Methodist Church, Chicago, IL, May 2013
- Panelist, “Conflicts of Interest Involving Dual Representation of Clients,” presented at the AILA Chicago Seminar on Ethics and Client Relations in Immigration, Chicago, IL, May 2013
- Panelist, “Why the LGBTQ Voice Matters in the Immigration Debate,” presented at DePauw University, Greencastle, IN, April 2013
- Panelist, “The LGBT Undocumented: Who They Are and What’s At Stake in the Immigration Reform Battle,” presented at the Center for American Progress, Washington, DC, March 2013
- Speaker, “Federal Court Case Experience from the Business-Based Immigration Case Perspective,” presented at the AILA Chicago Chapter Meeting, Chicago, IL, February 2013
2012
- Speaker, “DOMA and Immigration Law in Chicago,” presented at DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, IL, November 2012
- Panelist, “Beyond the Fence,” presented at Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago, IL, November 2012
- Presenter, “LGBTQ Immigration Issues,” presented as part of an advocacy workshop hosted by the LGBTQ Immigrant Rights Coalition of Chicago, Chicago, IL, June 2012
- Presenter, “Recent Developments in Immigration Law & the LGBT Community,” presented at the Chicago Bar Association, Chicago, IL, June 2012
- Panelist, “´Friending´ Your Law Practice: How to Put Social Media to Work for You,” presented at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) National Conference, Nashville, TN, June 2012
2011
- Panelist, “Bs, ESTA, Co-Habiting Partners and Everything in Between: Issues in Visitor Visa Admission,” presented at the AILA Annual Conference, San Diego, CA, June 2011
- Presenter, “Overview of E-1, E-2 and E-3 Nonimmigrant Visas,” presented at the Young Lawyers Section of the Chicago Bar Association’s Immigration Seminar, Chicago, IL, May 2011
- Presenter, “Update on Court Challenges to DOMA and Future Immigration Effects for Gay and Lesbians in Binantional Same-Sex Relationships,” presented at AILA Chicago Chapter Monthly Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 2011
2010
- Presenter, “Immigration Challenges Faced by Bi-National Couples,” presented at Illinois State University, Bloomington, IL, November 2010
- Presenter, “Immigration Law Basics and the Role of the Paralegal,” presented at the Illinois Paralegal Association, Fall Education Conference, Chicago, IL, November 2010
- Presenter, “An Overview of Immigration & Hot Topics,” presented at Dominican University, Chicago, IL, October 2010; October 2011; November 2011 & March 2013
- Discussion Leader/Panelist, “Hot Topics in LGBT Cases,” presented at the AILA Annual Conference, Washington, D.C., June 2010
- Panelist, “Attorney Speech in Social Media” presented at the AILA Chicago Ethics CLE for Attorneys, Chicago, IL, May 2010
- Panelist, “Elimination of Bias Against LGBT Clients in the Practice of Law,” presented at the AILA Minnesota/Dakotas CLE Conference, Minneapolis, MN, May 2010
2009
- Attorney Witness, Chicago City Council’s Committee on Human Relations Hearing on the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and the Discrimination Faced by Binational Same-Sex Couples in the Immigration Context, Chicago, IL, December 2009
- Panelist, “How to Keep Your Foreign National in Status,” presented at the AILA Chicago Chapter Employment Immigration Advanced Seminar Workshop, Chicago, IL, October 2009
- Presenter, “Strategies for Responding to Requests for Evidence in Family and Employment-Based Cases,” presented at AILA Chicago Chapter New Member Division Meeting, Chicago, IL, August 2009
- Panelist, “Immigration Waivers,” presented at the AILA Minnesota/Dakotas CLE Conference, Minneapolis, MN, May 2009
- Presenter, “Immigration Hot Topics,” presented in conjunction with Capital Forum and Sponsored by the Illinois Humanities Council & the Illinois Secretary of State, Springfield, IL (2006, 2008, & 2009)
2008
- Panelist, “Immigration Options for the LGBT Community,” presented at the Chicago Bar Association, Chicago, IL, November 2008
- Presenter, “Update on New Procedures for Immigrant Medical Examinations,” presented at the AILA Chicago Chapter, Chicago, IL, August 2008
- Panelist, “Asylum Issues and Waivers,” presented at the AILA’s Midwest Regional Conference, Chicago, IL, April 2008
2007
- Presenter, “Immigration Options for the Latino Community,” presented at Programa Cielo, in Association with St. Anthony’s Hospital, Chicago, IL, July 2007
Language / Interests
Michael speaks Spanish and has studied abroad in Cuernavaca and Guadalajara, Mexico; and, Madrid, Spain.
Michael is an avid runner, having run five marathons (Chicago; New York City; and, the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC) as well as countless half-marathons. Michael also enjoys tennis.
