Meet the ImLaw Team

Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan and serving clients across the globe.

Our dedicated immigration law attorneys are committed to providing high-quality, personalized service to our clients. We work with a wide variety of industries and offer specialized expertise in our practice areas. No matter the case, our focus remains the same: to help you achieve your immigration goals. Learn more about each of our legal team members below and schedule a consultation by filling out our inquiry form.

Susan Im
Founder & Immigration Attorney

Susan Im earned her B.A. degree from the University of Michigan and her J.D. degree from Wayne State University Law School. Following graduation, Susan worked as litigator in a large firm but left to build a successful solo immigration practice and thereafter a boutique immigration and employment law firm with labor and employment law colleagues, which eventually merged with a larger multi-practice firm in Grand Rapids.

Although repeatedly pursued by national and regional law firms over the years, in late 2010, Susan founded ImLaw to offer clients the benefits of a personal level of service, backed by over 25 years of experience resolving complex immigration cases for clients that include small to medium-sized employers, Fortune 100 and 500 companies, individual and corporate investors, students, fiancés, and other individuals.

Brian Mick
Partner & Immigration Attorney

Brian Mick brings 15 years of experience in immigration law to ImLaw. Since 2012, Brian has practiced exclusively immigration law including employment-based immigration and family-based immigration at ImLaw.

His experience includes preparing and handling nonimmigrant/temporary work visa applications; investor visa applications; change of status to student status and visitor applications; employment-based permanent residency (“green card”) including PERM labor certification applications, I-140 immigrant petitions (including Schedule A Physical Therapist and Registered Nurses and labor certification-exempt categories); fiancee visa petitions; family-based permanent residency (“green card”) petitions for spouses, children, parents, fiancees and siblings; and naturalization/citizenship applications.  

Kathy Poppenger
Immigration Attorney

Kathy Poppenger brings over 35 years of experience in immigration law to our team. She received her B.A. degree from the University of Michigan and her J.D. from Wayne State University. 

Kathy has practiced exclusively immigration law with a focus on employment-based immigration matters including preparing and advising on nonimmigrant/temporary work visa applications such as H-1B, L-1, TN, E-1 and E-2 and employment-based permanent residency applications including PERM labor certification applications, I-140 petitions including PERM-based, multinational managers and executives, and Schedule A Physical Therapist and Registered Nurse cases. In addition, Kathy has expertise in healthcare immigration issues covering a wide spectrum of medical professionals and has also provided employers with  I-9 compliance guidance. While her main expertise is in business immigration, Kathy is also knowledgeable in family-based permanent residency and complex citizenship matters.

Alan Reiter
Immigration Attorney

Alan Reiter brings over 20 years of experience in immigration law to ImLaw. He earned his B.A. with Honors in Economics from the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University and graduated Cum Laude from Wayne State University Law School. 

Alan is well-versed in immigration law, including employment-based and family-based immigration matters. His specific experience includes preparing and advising on nonimmigrant/temporary work visa applications, student and other temporary visas, permanent residency (“green card”) applications such as PERM labor certification applications, I-140 petitions, family-based applications, and naturalization/citizenship applications. Alan has worked with clients from over 80 countries, always seeking ideal outcomes that yield long-term success. He understands the complexity and diligence needed to appropriately handle each client’s case.

Kristen Ippel
Paralegal

After graduating with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and Theology from Calvin College in 2003, Kristen served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine where she taught English to middle school and high school kids. Her interest in immigration law stems from her experience living in central Ukraine and her overall love for travel. In 2022, Kristen earned her certificate in Paralegal Studies from Grand Valley State University. Kristen assists attorneys Brian Mick, Alan Reiter, Kathy Poppenger, and Susan Im on a variety of employment-based and family-based immigration matters. Outside of work, you will find her hiking or out by Lake Michigan (even in winter).

Olivia DeGroot
Legal Assistant

After graduating with an Associate of Arts degree from North Central Michigan College, Olivia continued her education at Grand Valley State University, where she is now a senior majoring in political science. Her studies are centered around learning the complexities of the U.S. government, which are brought to life in an immigration law firm. At ImLaw, she has embraced the opportunity to learn about and assist in helping clients who face these complexities firsthand.  Although school takes up a lot of her time outside of work, Olivia loves to spend her free time reading, exploring nature, and trying new restaurants and cafes around town.

Piper Kendall
Legal Assistant

Piper graduated from the University of Michigan with majors in History and Sociology with a Law, Justice, and Social Change sub-major. Previously, she interned at law firms specializing in immigration, labor, and public defense. At ImLaw, she is excited to continue learning about the intricacies of immigration law and help a diverse group of clients, and eventually she plans to go to law school so that she can handle cases of her own. Outside of work, Piper engages in activism, hosts tea parties, and dabbles is a variety of crafts such as crochet.

Lito Esquivel
Accounting/Billing Specialist

A graduate of Davenport University, Lito earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Marketing as well as a National Futbol Championship. Lito, a native Spanish speaker, handles accounts receivable, accounts payable, and billing functions for the firm. Away from ImLaw, Lito is a passionate boys and girls soccer and futsal coach and foodie who loves spending time with family and friends, watching and playing soccer and futsal, discovering new music, and long distance running.