Denise Osterwald: A Leading Expert in UK Immigration Law and Global Mobility
Denise Osterwald is a highly regarded legal director with a vast array of experience in UK immigration law, global mobility, and HR management. As the current Legal Director at Birketts LLP, Denise continues to be a key player in advising clients on complex immigration processes, corporate strategies, and compliance issues. With a strong background in various international organizations and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by clients in navigating global workforce movement, Denise Osterwald brings invaluable expertise to her role.
Early Career and Education: Laying the Foundation
Denise Osterwald’s journey into law and immigration started with an educational foundation built upon hard work and a passion for international relations. She completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Southampton from 2006 to 2009, earning a Distinction. The program provided her with key insights into business strategy, enhancing her ability to work in international organizations where legal frameworks and business operations intersect.
Before pursuing an MBA, Denise completed a Master of Arts (MA) in International Relations and Political Theory at the University of Westminster from 1999 to 2001. This furthered her understanding of global political systems, crucial for her future role in global mobility and international immigration law. The analytical skills gained in political theory and international relations have served as a solid framework for her work in immigration law, where understanding international policies and political landscapes is paramount.
Denise also pursued her Graduate Diploma in Law at BPP Law School from 2008 to 2009, where she was awarded Commendation. This marked a significant step in transitioning from international relations into the legal field, ultimately shaping her career trajectory. She then went on to complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC) at Bournemouth University, graduating with Distinction in 2010. This solidified her legal qualifications, which allowed her to move forward in her legal career with a focus on immigration law.
Her time at Bournemouth University marked the start of her legal career, offering a well-rounded education in law that would prove essential as she navigated her way through the complexities of immigration and global mobility laws.
Career Path: From Solicitor to Legal Director
Denise Osterwald’s legal career is a testament to her expertise and dedication to immigration law. Her work spans multiple countries and involves various international organizations, which has given her a unique perspective on the challenges faced by clients when managing workforce mobility.
Denise began her legal journey as a Solicitor at Pinsent Masons, where she gained extensive experience in immigration and corporate law. She worked in several key practice areas, including Employment Law, Tax Disputes, and Corporate Law, advising clients on a wide range of legal matters. Her role involved managing complex immigration queries, especially in the context of multinational mergers and acquisitions, and advising senior executives on visa requirements.
Her next career move saw her join Fragomen, a leading immigration services provider, where she gained extensive experience advising global financial services, biopharmaceutical, and chemical companies on UK immigration matters. Denise’s work at Fragomen involved helping clients navigate the UK immigration system, including handling Tier 2 visas, settlement applications, and EEA visa applications.
Denise’s expertise caught the attention of KPMG, where she worked as a Global Immigration Manager. At KPMG, she developed and managed the firm’s global immigration services, advising multinational clients on the challenges associated with moving employees across borders. Her work here also included Brexit advisory, where she helped clients understand the impact of the UK’s exit from the European Union on their workforce and immigration strategy.
In 2023, Denise joined Birketts LLP as the Legal Director of Immigration. In this role, she continues to advise clients on UK inbound immigration issues, helping businesses with sponsor licence applications, visa processes, and compliance. Her wealth of experience in global immigration and corporate mobility is invaluable, especially for companies navigating the complexities of workforce relocation across borders.
Key Skills and Expertise
Denise Osterwald’s professional experience is underpinned by a range of key skills that enable her to offer comprehensive and effective legal advice. These include:
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Immigration Law Expertise: With over a decade of experience, Denise’s expertise spans various facets of UK immigration law, including visa applications, sponsor licence compliance, and Brexit-related immigration strategies. Her thorough knowledge of immigration rules allows her to advise multinational corporations and high-net-worth individuals effectively.
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Global Mobility: Denise’s extensive experience in global mobility has made her an expert in helping organizations manage international workforce transitions. She is well-versed in the challenges businesses face when relocating employees and has been instrumental in developing global immigration strategies for multinational corporations.
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Brexit Advisory: Denise’s insights into Brexit and its impact on immigration and global mobility have been invaluable to clients. She has provided advice on how to navigate the post-Brexit landscape, ensuring that clients comply with new immigration requirements and continue to operate smoothly across UK and EU borders.
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HR Management: Denise’s background in HR management has strengthened her ability to support companies with global immigration compliance, offering advice on how to align immigration strategies with broader business strategies and HR processes.
Language Proficiency and International Perspective
One of Denise’s standout strengths is her ability to communicate fluently in both English and German, an asset that enables her to build strong relationships with clients across Europe and beyond. Having lived in several countries, she brings a global perspective to her work, which is critical when advising clients on international immigration matters.
Her fluency in German is particularly beneficial in dealing with German-speaking clients and businesses, particularly in the context of immigration and global mobility issues. Her international experience also means she understands the cultural and operational challenges of relocating employees from different parts of the world, making her a valuable advisor for organizations with a diverse workforce.
Contributions and Thought Leadership
Denise Osterwald is an active contributor to thought leadership within the field of immigration law. She has written articles and held webinars on a variety of immigration issues, including the impact of Brexit on UK immigration, global mobility best practices, and the challenges of compliance for multinational corporations. Her ability to communicate complex immigration issues in an accessible and actionable way has made her a sought-after speaker and consultant in her field.
Conclusion: A Leader in Immigration Law
Denise Osterwald’s career has been marked by her deep expertise in UK immigration law, global mobility, and HR management. Her experience in handling complex immigration issues, particularly in the context of multinational corporations and Brexit, has established her as a leading expert in the field. With her educational background, global perspective, and bilingual proficiency, Denise is well-positioned to continue making a significant impact in the immigration law space. Whether advising clients on visa applications, workforce relocations, or immigration compliance, Denise remains a trusted advisor for businesses navigating the complexities of global immigration.
Her commitment to providing strategic, efficient, and tailored immigration solutions has solidified her reputation as a go-to legal professional for individuals and companies alike.
