“I truly believe that majoring in History at UVM helped set me up for success as an attorney. The practical benefits were developing critical qualitative and analytical skills through an intensive curriculum, but beyond that, the professors in UVM's History Department really challenged students to view current events -- whether legal, political, or societal -- within historical contexts. As a lawyer with an international focus, I have been able to work seamlessly with clients around the globe by being cognizant of the distinct cultures and histories that have shaped their laws today. The depth of knowledge and insight into world affairs I developed as a History major has been invaluable to my career today.”

Bilal is currently an Associate in the Dallas office of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP, working on U.S. non-immigrant and immigrant visa matters. Prior to joining BAL, Bilal served as in-house counsel to a Fortune 300 technology company in the Washington D.C. area, where he provided strategic legal advice and counseling to the organization on a wide range of immigration law matters, with a focus on U.S. business immigration, workforce compliance and corporate restructuring. He has strong experience in advising corporations on immigration policies and strategies pertaining to hiring and retaining employees and managing the movement of foreign employees on international assignments. During law school, Bilal assisted individuals in obtaining humanitarian immigration relief at Hofstra University’s Immigration and Asylum Clinic.