Rebecca A. Winterscheidt, Partner at our Phoenix law office
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Rebecca A. Winterscheidt

Partner
Biography

Rebecca Winterscheidt has been practicing employment law and immigration law since 1983. She is a former co-chair of the firm’s Labor and Employment Section and heads the firm’s Immigration Practice. Rebecca regularly advises employers concerning employment discrimination, wrongful discharge, disability and family leave issues, breach of contract, whistleblowing, and non-solicitation matters. She represents companies at all stages of employment disputes, including taking cases through the administrative stage, through discovery and, if necessary, to trial. Rebecca has tried several jury cases in both federal and state court.

In the immigration area, Rebecca has advised foreign clients on EB-5, EB-2, and other investment related visa opportunities in the United States. She works closely with other Snell & Wilmer attorneys in the tax and corporate areas to provide a team approach for foreign nationals interested in investing in the United States. Rebecca represents employers in obtaining non-immigrant visas including E-3, H1B, L-1, O, P, T, and TN visas. She also handles the green card process for employment & family based petitions. She also counsels companies on immigration “best practices” and handles I-9 audits and other compliance and worksite enforcement issues.

Rebecca serves as a private arbitrator and mediator of employment disputes. She also served as a volunteer mediator for the Arizona Civil Rights Commission.

Rebecca is a frequent speaker and trainer in numerous areas of personnel law including sex harassment, ADA, FMLA, layoffs, supervisor/manager leadership training and terminations.

Labor and Employment

Rebecca Winterscheidt is co-chair of Snell & Wilmer’s Labor & Employment practice area.  She represents employers in all aspects of human resources to help companies avoid litigation if possible through best practices. Rebecca also handles cases from the administrative charge stage through trial. She has successfully tried several jury trials.

Representative Experience

  • Handled hundreds of discrimination claims over the last 40+ years
  • Jury trials in state and federal court – complete defense verdict in all trials
  • Handled multi-state layoffs
  • Advised clients in WARN issues
  • Handled SOX matters and other whistleblower claims
  • Assisted clients with FMLA, ADA issues
  • Handled company investigations

Representative Clients

  • Multi-national companies
  • Mental Health agencies
  • Insurance companies
  • Non-profits
  • Construction companies
  • Health Supplement companies
  • Manufacturing companies
  • High-tech companies
Immigration and Compliance

Rebecca Winterscheidt heads Snell & Wilmer’s immigration practice area. She represents companies to obtain immigrant and non-immigrant visas for their alien workforce and helps develop long term workable immigration strategies. Rebecca also represents individuals in family-based immigration matters.

Rebecca has advised foreign clients on EB-5, EB-1 and other investment related visa opportunities in the United States. She works closely with other Snell & Wilmer attorneys in the tax and corporate areas to provide a team approach for foreign nationals interested in investing in the United States.

Rebecca is also the former co-chair of the labor and employment group.

Representative Experience

  • Bringing aliens to U.S. to work under the following non-immigrant visas: E, E-3, H-1B, J, L and O
  • Assisting aliens in transition from non-immigrant status to immigrant status through labor certifications, I-140 and I-130 filings
  • Advising clients on EB-5 (regional center projects and individual investors)
  • Filing Adjustment of Status paperwork to obtain green cards
  • Representing companies in ICE audits
  • Representing companies in raids

Representative Clients

  • Gaming Industry
  • Software Development Industry
  • Real Estate Investment
  • Construction
  • Medical Practice Groups
  • Education (private and public)
  • Governmental
  • Manufacturing
  • Cybersecurity
  • Retail
Alternative Dispute Resolution

Rebecca Winterscheidt is a private mediator and arbitrator and a strong proponent of alternative dispute resolution. Through early intervention mediation, she assists parties in reaching a mutual resolution of their dispute without the need for costly litigation. Rebecca also serves as a neutral third-party arbitrator of employment disputes.

Representative Experience

  • Arizona Civil Rights Division Mediator (2011-2013)
  • American Arbitration Association Arbitrator (2010-2013)
  • Strauss Institute Mediation Training (October 2010)
  • Arizona Civil Rights Division Mediation Training (2011)
  • Has served as an advocate in hundreds of mediations and arbitrations throughout her career
  • Experience as an arbitrator and mediator in all types of employment-related disputes including discrimination, retaliation, disability, wage and hour and contract disputes
Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona


Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Arizona
  • United States District Court, District of Arizona


Education

  • University of Kansas, School of Law (J.D.)
    • Order of the Coif
  • Emporia State University (B.S., Public Affairs)
Experience

Awards & Recognition

  • State Bar of Arizona Employment & Labor Law Section’s, Rogers/Hayden Outstanding Achievement Award (2023)
  • AZ Business Leader, AZ Business Leaders Magazine (2020-2021,2023)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Immigration Law, Labor & Employment Litigation, Employment Law – Management (2005-2023, 2025)
    • Phoenix Lawyer of the Year, Immigration Law (2019)
  • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business®, Labor & Employment (2006-2024); Immigration (2006-2011)
  • Southwest Super Lawyers®, Employment & Labor (2007-2022)
    • Top 25 Female Attorneys (2013-2014)
  • Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, Employment Law, Litigation Law, AzBusiness Magazine (2015)
  • Arizona’s Top Lawyers, Immigration Law, AzBusiness Magazine (2014)

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • American Bar Association
    • American Bar Foundation, Fellow (2016-Present)
    • Labor and Employment Law Section, Member
    • Immigration Law Committee, Member
  • American Immigration Lawyers Association, Member (1984-Present)
  • National Association of Women Business Owners, Phoenix Chapter
    • President (1998-1999)
    • Board of Directors (2010-2011)

Community Involvement

  • University of Kansas School of Law Board of Trustees (Present)
  • Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer
  • St. Mary’s Food Bank, Former Board Member
  • Metro YMCA, Former Board Member
  • Emporia State University Alumni Board of Directors, Member (2010-2013)

Representative Presentations and Publications