Marks Gray shareholder Giselle Carson accepted the 2019 International Individual of the Year award from JAXUSA Partnership at the organization’s meeting Dec. 10 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.
Carson established the immigration law practice at Marks Gray in 2005 by helping two local health care clients secure visas for foreign employees. The law firm’s immigration practice has since grown to 40 clients in the U.S. and internationally.
While introducing Carson for the award, attorney Ray Driver, chair of JAXUSA Partnership, said Northeast Florida is “suffering from a shortfall of talent to fill existing and future jobs.”
Driver said that in addition to developing talent in public schools and local colleges and universities, the region also must attract skilled talent from other parts of the U.S. and the world and the need and ability to import foreign workers is a priority for economic development.
Born in Cuba, Carson’s family immigrated first to Canada and then to the U.S.
“Giselle knows the benefits of immigration, but also the challenges for individuals and businesses in obtaining authorization to work in the United States,” Driver said.
JinkoSolar, the China-based company that built a solar panel manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, was presented the 2019 International Company of the Year award.