Ruslan Bocancea is an immigration lawyer with significant experience in U.S. immigration and citizenship law. Mr. Bocancea represents clients in the United States as well as overseas at U.S. Embassies. An immigrant himself, Mr. Bocancea has experienced the immigration process firsthand, which enables him to truly understand his clients and their needs.
Before attending law school, Mr. Bocancea served in the public sector, including at the South Dakota Legislature and Attorney General’s Office, and the Minnesota State Senate. He was also an investigative intern at Georgetown Law Center’s Criminal Justice Clinic in Washington, DC.
While in law school and before opening Bocancea Law Firm, Mr. Bocancea clerked at the Federal Defender’s Office and also interned for the Honorable Michael J. Davis and Honorable Susan R. Nelson at the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. Mr. Bocancea also served as a certified student attorney on behalf of the City of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, where he prosecuted criminal offenses, and also served as a law clerk for a national criminal defense firm, where he assisted with appellate work before the United States Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
In his free time, Mr. Bocancea volunteers at the Minnesota International Institute, where he assists clients with citizenship petitions and criminal defense issues, and also interprets for Russian speaking Judges and Presidential Advisors from Russia and former Republics of the Soviet Union, while visiting the Minnesota State and Federal Courts.
EDUCATION
William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., Law
University of Sioux Falls, B.A., History and Political Science
ADMISSIONS
State of Minnesota
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
U.S. Immigration Courts
LANGUAGES
Romanian, Russian – Fluent
French, Italian – Proficient
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 2011-current
Coordinator, 2012 AILA National Conference, AILA, 2012
Consular Liaison Committee, Rome District Chapter, AILA, 2012-current
Membership Development Committee, Rome District Chapter, AILA, 2012-current
Bucharest Conference Committee, Rome District Chapter, AILA, 2011-2012
Congressional Liaison, Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter, AILA, 2012-current
Annual Conference Planning Committee, Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter, AILA, 2012-current
Bylaws Committee, Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter, AILA, 2011-2012
Treasurer, Immigration Law Section, Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA), 2012-current
Secretary, Immigration Law Section, Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA), 2011-2012
Member, Hennepin County Bar Association (HCBA), 2010-current
Member, Minnesota International Center (MIC), 2009-current
Member, Romanian-American Chamber of Commerce (RACC), 2010-current
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Discussion Leader, 2013 AILA Rome District Chapter Spring Conference, March 2013
Guest Speaker, U.S. Immigration Law, Minnesota Consular Corps, October 2012
Faculty, For What It’s Worth: Advanced Issues Regarding the I-864, Affidavit of Support, AILA National, October 2012
Discussion Leader, 2012 AILA Rome District Chapter Spring Conference, April 2012
Guest Speaker, TVRi, The International TV Channel of Romania, Winter 2011
PUBLICATIONS
Global Mobility: An Overview for Human Resource Professionals, 2013
E-2 Visa or How to do Business in America, Capital, Winter 2012
Moldovan Businessmen and Their Courage to Invest in the U.S., The Economist of Moldova, Spring 2012
Go West, Money Express, Fall 2011
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Volunteer Immigration Attorney, International Institute of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota
Interpreter, Minnesota State Courts and the U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
Kirsten Gullixson received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Minnesota Law School, and her Bachelor’s degree with distinction in International Relations, Chinese, and East Asian Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, she has received Master’s degrees from universities in Taiwan and in France.
Prior to joining the firm, Kirsten worked at prominent firms in Minnesota, California, and Hong Kong. Kirsten has a wide range of experience in individual and employment-based immigration (including EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, PERM, NIW, H-1B, TN, L-1, E-1/E-2, O-1, P-1, etc.).
Kirsten has worked with established companies, startup companies, and outstanding individuals from many different fields. She also has experience practicing before the immigration court. In addition, Kirsten has lived in various locations in Asia (including China) for several years, and speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese. Kirsten also speaks some French and Spanish.
EDUCATION
University of Minnesota, J.D., Law
University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.A., International Relations, Chinese, and East Asian Studies, with distinction
University of Aix-Marseille III, France, LL.M., in European Business Law, with high distinction
National Taiwan University College of Law, LL.M., with honors
ADMISSIONS
Wisconsin & California
LANGUAGES
Mandarin Chinese – Fluent
French, Spanish – Proficient