Founding Partner Leon Wildes recently recalled his personal handling of the John Lennon deportation matter for Decades Network.
The interview can be seen here: https://vimeo.com/user72252756/review/366869340/63b441c71c
Founded in 1960, Wildes & Weinberg is perhaps best known for Leon Wildes’ representation of former Beatle John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono.
Between 1972 and 1976, Leon represented Lennon and Ono in their struggle to remain in the United States, despite the concerted attempts of the Nixon Administration to deport them.
The case (which included bringing four separate Federal lawsuits) not only resulted in John and Yoko getting their green cards and being able to remain in the United States, but it also led to substantial changes in immigration law and brought to light secretive government practices and undue political influence, that has resulted in greater transparency in the U.S. immigration system. More then 40 years later, Leon has finally published a book which chronicled the case, aptly titled John Lennon v. The USA, it is published by Ankerwycke Books, an imprint of ABA Publishing, a division of the American Bar Association.
To view to Leon’s discussions from the Chicago Beatle Fest, click here: https://youtu.be/eixFIKT-8Ps or https://youtu.be/p0XLOCQ1-Ns
Pictured with Leon and Michael Wildes are Fest Founder and Director Mark Lapidos (standing next to Leon) and Tom Frangione, host of Sirius XM’s new Beatles Channel.
Since the books launch in August 2016, nearly 5000 copies have been purchased, Leon and Michael Wildes have appeared on dozens of TV and radios shows including Good Day NY and the Stolar Report and 1000s of people have attended a “Conversation with Leon Wildes”, at noteworthy institutions such as The Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and The Lower East Side Tenement Museum. Leon and Michael were available throughout the three day conference to speak with Beatles fans as well as sign books.
Managing Partner Michael Wildes’ foreword, includes personal anecdotes and insight into the mindset of his father, Leon, with whom he has the privilege of practicing with everyday.
More than fifty six years since its inception the firm continues to serve a distinguished domestic and international clientele and covers all areas of U.S. immigration law, including employment and investment-based immigration, work permits, permanent residence for qualified individuals, family-based immigration, asylum applications and all temporary and permanent type visas. In addition, the firm is internationally renowned for its successful representation of distinguished individuals and corporate clients such as performing artists, directors, writers, models, actors/actresses, athletes, race car drivers, fine artists, art dealers, curators, musicians, literary agents, and Fortune 500 companies. Some of the firm’s recent clients include famed artist Sarah Brightman, several Miss Universe winners as well as soccer icon Pele.
Despite difficulties currently being encountered in dealing with U.S. immigration authorities, Wildes & Weinberg has maintained an extraordinary track record for success in its cases and the firm’s multilingual staff is known for its experience and special expertise in processing each foreign national’s matter with nothing less than the highest level of professionalism.
Today, the firm of Wildes & Weinberg, maintains offices in New York City, New York, Englewood, New Jersey, Miami, Florida, and Los Angeles, California.
For media inquiries or to invite Leon and Michael Wildes to speak at your organization, contact Managing Partner Michael Wildes at Michael@wildeslaw.com.
Wildes & Weinberg opened in 1960 and is perhaps best known for Leon Wildes’ successful representation of former Beatle John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono in their deportation matter, the circumstances of which have inspired several films and documentaries. The firm specializes exclusively in the practice of U.S. immigration and nationality law, has a distinguished domestic and international clientele, and can assist with any type of immigration matter including employment and investment-based immigration, work permits, permanent residence for qualified individuals, family-based immigration, asylum applications, all temporary and permanent type visas, and U.S. citizenship.
Between 1972 and 1976, Leon represented Lennon and Ono in their struggle to remain in the United States, despite the concerted attempts of the Nixon Administration to deport them.
The case (which included bringing four separate Federal lawsuits) not only resulted in John and Yoko getting their green cards and being able to remain in the United States, but it also led to substantial changes in immigration law and brought to light secretive government practices and undue political influence, that has resulted in greater transparency in the U.S. immigration system and which paved the way for DACA.
Leon Wildes’ long-awaited memoirs of the case aptly titled John Lennon vs. the U.S.A.is published by Ankerwycke Books, an imprint of ABA Publishing, a division of the American Bar Association.
Since the books launch in August 2016, nearly 5000 copies have been purchased, Leon and his son, Michael Wildes, the Managing Partner of the firm, who also wrote the foreword to the book, have appeared on dozens of TV and radios shows including Good Day NY, The Michael Stolar Show, The Lawrence O’Donnell Show, and more than 1000 people have attended a “Conversation with Leon Wildes”, at noteworthy institutions such as The Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, and The Lower East Side Tenement Museum. The book has been reviewed and discussed by Rolling Stone, Billboard Magazine, The NY Post, and many other impressive periodicals.
Michael is the firm’s Managing Partner and is also currently serving his third term as Mayor of Englewood, New Jersey. Moreover, he is the author of Safe Haven in America: Battles to Open the Golden Door, which draws on over a quarter of a century of his practice in the immigration field, is an Adjunct Professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, and serves as Counsel to Lincoln Center and several international/corporate law firms. Michael is internationally renowned for his successful representation of distinguished individuals and corporate clients such as performing artists, directors, writers, models, actors/actresses, athletes, race car drivers, fine artists, art dealers, curators, musicians, photographers, stylists, and literary agents. Some of the firm’s other distinguished clients include scholar Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, as well as soccer icon Pele, Master Chef Jean-Georges and First Lady Melania Trump and her family.
Today, the firm of Wildes & Weinberg, maintains offices in New York City, New York, Englewood, New Jersey, Miami, Florida, and a presence in Los Angeles, California and continues to maintain its stellar reputation in the field of U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law.
For more information please visit the firm’s website at www.wildeslaw.com or contact michael@wildeslaw.com for media inquiries.