Rubman and Compernolle is a three-attorney law firm that represents individuals, businesses and universities in issues relating to United States immigration laws.  David Rubman has practiced immigration law for over 25 years and has served as an Adjunct Professor of Immigration Law at Northwestern University School of Law and IIT-Chicago-Kent College of Law.  Susan Compernolle has practiced immigration law for over 20 years and has been President of the Chicago chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.  Kristen A. Harris is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Yale University who brings 6 years of corporate law experience to the firm.

We are based in Chicago, Illinois and handle immigration cases for clients anywhere in the United States and around the world.  We represent university professors, research scientists, computer scientists, musicians, artists, architects, engineers, professional athletes and many others.  Our clients include computer consulting companies, multi-national corporations, public school districts, for-profit and non-profit institutions and individuals from almost every country in the world.

The aim of this website is to provide an overview of U.S. immigration laws without technical jargon.  This information is very general and cannot substitute for legal advice relating to your specific situation.  Our fee schedule is available by request.


David Rubman earned a B.A. degree in history from New York University and a law degree from Northeastern University School of Law (1979).  He has been an adjunct professor of immigration law at Northwestern University School of Law (1998-2001) and Illinois Institute of Technology-Chicago Kent College of Law (1988).  In the mid 1980s, he supervised the Legal Services Center for Immigrants. He specializes in business-related immigration issues for scientists, artists and athletes in both the private and public sector. He also has extensive federal court litigation experience. He is the father of 12-year-old twins and builds furniture in his spare time. He speaks Spanish, and reads Russian and French.


Susan Compernolle holds a B.A. degree in history from St Mary's College of Notre Dame University, an M.A. degree in history from the University of Illinois, and a law degree from Northeastern University School of Law (1984).  She was President of the Chicago Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association in 2001-2002 and previously served on the USCIS Chicago District Director Liaison Committee.  She is an adjunct professor of immigration law at Illinois Institute of Technology-Chicago Kent College of Law, and previously taught immigration law at DePaul University School of Law.  She speaks on immigration issues at the national level and has been featured in several immigration publications. She was recently recognized as a Chicago Super Lawyer. She is a third generation Belgian-American. She speaks Spanish and reads French.


Kristen A. Harris is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Yale University (B.A., M.A., anthropology) and holds a J.D. degree from the University of Michigan (1998).  Her previous experience includes securities litigation at the Securities and Exchange Commission and international and domestic business transactions with Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg, a major Chicago law firm.  She provides immigration expertise to professionals and their employers in the financial, healthcare, manufacturing and technology industries. She also represents individuals and families in green card and naturalization cases. She previously chaired the Chicago Bar Association’s Immigration and Nationality Law Committee, served on the USCIS Chicago District Director Liaison Committee, and currently serves on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Liaison Committee. She is a native of Western Michigan. She speaks Spanish.