Cobalt® provides global businesses with a premier destination
for strategic end-to-end case management

SAN FRANCISCO, February 6, 2018 – Today Berry Appleman & Leiden (BAL) LLP, one of the world’s largest immigration law firms, launched its next-generation Cobalt® digital immigration services platform. The new Cobalt features the industry’s first mobile immigration application, enabling anytime, anywhere case management across Android and iOS devices. In addition, the secure, cloud-based platform is ISO/IEC 27001 certified, features an intuitive, user-friendly interface and delivers a faster application speed that will accelerate the global immigration process for BAL’s portfolio of corporate clients.

“In an increasingly complex global economy, an effective immigration strategy is a competitive necessity for every company that does business internationally,” said Jeremy Fudge, BAL Managing Partner. “With Cobalt, today’s global mobility leaders can transform their global immigration processes to meet the challenges and opportunities of a digital age while giving their employees a more streamlined, differentiated experience.”

With its breakthrough app, user-friendly interface and top-notch information security, Cobalt makes it easier for BAL’s corporate clients to do their jobs, run their businesses and give their employees a great experience. Specific benefits include:

  • Employee Ease: An industry-leading user experience makes it easy for employees to check the status of their case anytime, anywhere. The ability to enter detailed passport information is automated through a scan of the barcode – all on their mobile Subsequent cases are even easier, as information intelligently flows from one case to the next. Action items make it clear what employees need to do.
  • HR Efficiency: Cobalt also provides an elegant and intuitive user experience for human resources users. Clear timeline views make it convenient to see the immigration status of any employee and the next steps for their case, requiring minimal navigation. In-app messaging streamlines communication with legal teams and provides a secure collaboration environment. An omni-search feature allows global mobility/HR leaders to search cases and employees from any page, and opening a case is a simple click away.
  • Business Advantage: The new app combined with Cobalt’s secure, cloud-based environment gives executive teams the peace of mind to confidently conduct global business. With access to on-demand reporting, BAL clients have everything they need to assess, manage and enrich their global immigration programs, in-depth or at a glance.

“For years, we’ve been at the immigration forefront, driving technologies that keep our clients ahead in a fast-changing world. It’s ingrained in our company’s culture to apply a technology and innovation lens to everything we do – and at every level – with an eye toward what’s next. With a product roadmap that embraces the latest, including Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and automation, this release is part of our agenda to bring clients inventive technology solutions designed to advance global immigration,” commented Fudge.

Also today, BAL released a new vision paper on the role of innovation in an increasingly complex global immigration environment. The paper outlines actions that today’s business and legal experts can take to stay ahead in a rapidly changing landscape. The full paper, “Innovation in Global Immigration Law: Where Expertise, Technology and the Human Experience Meet,” is available for download here.

About BAL
BAL is singularly focused on meeting the immigration challenges of corporate clients around the world in ways that make immigration more strategic and clients more successful. Established in 1980, the firm provides comprehensive services from 18 offices across six continents. BAL and its leaders are highly ranked in every major legal publication, including Best Lawyers, Chambers, The Legal 500, and Who’s Who Legal. Non-U.S. offices are operated by affiliated entities in those countries.

Media Contact:
Emily Albrecht
Senior Director — Marketing & Communications
ealbrecht@bal.com
469-559-0174