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Home , Dwight Morrow, Michael Wildes, Miss Universe 2009, Miss Universe 2010

MICHAEL J. WILDES Managing Partner, Wildes and Weinberg, P.C

Michael Wildes is a Managing Partner with the leading firm of Wildes and Weinberg PC in and . He serves as Counsel to , the and two international/corporate law firms. A former Federal Prosecutor with the Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn (1989-1993), he has testified on Capitol Hill in connection with anti-terrorism legislation and is internationally renowned for his successful representation of distinguished individuals and corporate clients. Having represented the United States government in immigration proceedings, is a frequent participant on professional panels and commentator on network television and radio with regard to corporate immigration law, employer sanction work and compliance.

His boutique law firm specializes exclusively in the practice of U.S. immigration and nationality law. It was established in 1960 by his father Leon Wildes whose best-known accomplishment was his successful representation of in his widely publicized deportation proceedings, the circumstances of which have inspired several films and documentaries. More than fifty years since its inception, the firm which now has offices in New York City and Englewood, New Jersey, continues to serve a distinguished domestic and international clientele and covers all areas of U.S. immigration law, including employment and investment-based immigration, work permits, permanent residence for qualified individuals, family-based immigration, asylum applications and all temporary and permanent- type visas.

Michael represents many performing artists, directors, writers, models, actors/actresses, athletes, race car drivers, fine artists, art dealers, curators, and literary agents. Some of his recent clients include famed artist Sarah Brightman, 2008, 2009, and 2010 as well as soccer icon Pele and the staff and players of the newly resurrected New York Cosmos.

Mr. Wildes also served two terms as the Mayor of Englewood, New Jersey and was a member of the New Jersey Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Immigration.

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MICHAEL J. WILDES NY Office: (212) 753-3468 NJ Office: (201) 569-7891 250 Allison Court NY Fax: (212) 753-3866 NJ Home: (201) 227-9144 Englewood, NJ 07631 NY Private Line: (212) 753-6085 Cellular: (347) 203-6355 Email: [email protected] Main Office: 515 Madison Avenue Web: www.wildeslaw.com CURRICULUM VITAE New York, NY 10022 www.michaelwildes.com Offices in Englewood and Newark, NJ

Bio Summary

Federal Prosecutor, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney's Office, Brooklyn, NY (1989-1993) Partner, Wildes and Weinberg PC, New York , NY (U.S. Immigration Law Firm,1993-Date – Managing Partner 2010-Date) Of Counsel (Immigration), Pavia & Harcourt, 590 Madison Avenue, New York, NY (2006-Date) Of Counsel (Immigration), Saiber, One Gateway Center, Newark, New Jersey (2008-Date) Mayor, Englewood , New Jersey (Democrat, Elected November 2003 and November 2006) Appointed Member, Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Immigrant Policy, (New Jersey, 2007-2011) Adjunct Professor of Immigration Law, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, (2011-Date) Taught at Bergen Community College (Fall 2007)

Narrative Profile After winning two terms on the City Council, Michael Wildes was elected Englewood, New Jersey's Mayor in November of 2003 and again to a second term in November 2006. Michael has become nationally recognized in the Democratic Party as a leading fundraiser for Congressional and Senate candidates throughout the United States--- including Senators , Edward Kennedy, Joseph Lieberman, and many others. Senator Kennedy most recently said he has "high expectations" that Michael Wildes will be joining them in the United States Congress in the future. The Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) voted him one of their “100 National Up and Coming Leaders to Watch.”

Professionally, he is a partner with the leading immigration law firm of Wildes & Weinberg and serves as Immigration Counsel to two additional nationally acclaimed law firms and their distinguished clients. A former Federal Prosecutor with the United States Attorney's Office in Brooklyn (1989-1993), Mr. Wildes has testified on Capitol Hill in connection with anti-terrorism legislation and is internationally renowned for his successful representation of several defectors who have provided difficult to obtain national security information to the United States and is frequently a legal commentator/analyst for network television in connection with the terrorist threats facing the United States. Mr. Wildes was also appointed by the President of the United States to the District Appeals Board of the Selective Service System for the State of New Jersey. He is of Counsel to the International Law Firm of Pavia and Harcourt; the National Police Defense Foundation; and the New Jersey State Law Enforcement Asian-American Advisory Committee. Mr. Wildes taught Criminal Law at Bergen Community College during the fall semester of 2007 and has been an Adjunct Professor of Immigration Law at The Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University, since 2011. He is often a guest lecturer/panelist at many distinguished forums and institutions including, Yale University, New York University, The Benjamin N. Cardozo, and Brooklyn Schools of Law. Mr. Wildes has served as Chair on countless immigration and anti-terrorist policy forums including the Rutgers Eagleton Institute of Politics Forum on Immigration and Democracy. Mr. Wildes is also a member of the acclaimed Committee on Present Danger (where he serves with former CIA Director, James Woolsey and Senator Joseph Lieberman); he is frequently a judge in law school moot court and oratory competitions; he is Chair of the ’ Committee on International Terrorism; he is Vice Chairman of Boys Town of Jerusalem; a member of the Advisory Board for the Urban League of Bergen County and a member of the B’nai Zion Board of Directors. He is a certified EMT; a member of the Hatzoloh Volunteer Ambulance Corps in New York; the Englewood Volunteer Ambulance Corp (EVAC), and served over 10 years (1982-1992) with the NYPD as an Auxiliary Police Officer. Mr. Wildes and his wife Amy are the proud parents of four children.

LEGAL EDUCATON BENJAMIN N. CARDOZO SCHOOL OF LAW, New York, New York J.D. degree, June 1989 State Bar Admissions: New York, New Jersey and District of Federal Court Admissions: U.S. District Court New York (Eastern and Southern); U.S. District Court New Jersey; U.S. Court of Appeals (2nd Cir.)

UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION QUEENS COLLEGE OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, New York, New York Honors: B.A. Magna Cum Laude, January 1986; Major: Political Science - - Awarded Honors in Political Science from Division of Social Sciences; Dean’s List; Elected to Pi Sigma Alpha (National Political Science Honor Society).

LEGAL EXPERIENCE WILDES & WEINBERG, 515 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022 Partner, 1993 to Present (Managing Partner 2010 to Present) Partner in major Immigration and Nationality law firm. Firm concentrates its practice in the field of U.S. Immigration and Nationality law for over three decades, servicing many law firms and their distinguished clients. Receive referrals from noted American law firms: Sullivan & Cromwell, Milbank Tweed, Skadden Arps, etc., and such distinguished British firms including Freshfields, etc. Further represent many important international firms, banks, and individuals in connection with their immigration and personnel matters, including Citibank, J.P. MorganChase, Bear Stearns, PIMCO Funds, Oppenheimer Capital, -Dominion Bank, Bank of Montreal, Alstom, Samsung, ADP, Lucas, Adrienne Vittadini, The Limited, IMG Artists, etc. Directed representation of clients in numerous high profile cases, including major newspaper coverage, numerous network television appearances, special cases featured on major news magazine shows (“20/20”; CNN; MSNBC; Fox News Channel, etc.) and hosted international/national press conferences and meetings with Congressional leaders.

PAVIA & HARCOURT, 600 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022 Of Counsel (Immigration), 2006 to Present

SAIBER, One Gateway Center, Newark, New Jersey Of Counsel (Immigration), 2008 to Present

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK Federal Prosecutor - Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, 1989 to 1993 Representation of the United States Government and its various agencies, including: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.), U.S. Army, Farmers Home Administration, Veterans Administration, Small Business Administration, U.S. Customs Service, and H.U.D. in Federal, Bankruptcy and State Courts. Matters Prosecuted included: obscenity matters, forfeiture actions, obtaining judicial warrants, executions of judgments, surplus money proceedings, enforcement of tax liens, Federal mortgage foreclosures, bankruptcy proceedings, etc. Duties include: researching statutory, regulatory and caselaw materials, drafting legal memoranda, complaints, stipulations, motions and pleadings for use in federal and state court litigation, pretrial and trial proceedings, restraining notices, interrogatories, information subpoenas, requests for admissions, letters rogatory, affidavits, judgments, proposed orders, and similar legal pleadings and documents. Duties also included corresponding and dealing with Special Agents and members of various federal agencies, Federal Magistrates, Federal Judges and opposing Counsel; obtaining the necessary factual allegations and evidence, preparing witnesses for trial and deposition; preparing cases for litigation and trying cases in Federal Court; and preparing cases for appeal to Federal Appellate Courts. Accomplishments include: obtaining judgments for the United States, satisfaction of tax liens and obtaining entry warrants for Government agents to seize assets of debtors, securing forfeiture of arrested properties, obtaining judgments and court orders directing the arrest and payment of monies to the Government.

PUBLIC SERVICE

2004 to 2010 Mayor, City of Englewood (Democrat). Elected to Second Term in 2006.

2007 to 2011 Appointed Member, New Jersey Governor ’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Immigrant Policy

2002 to 2011 District Appeals Board of the Selective Service System for the State of New Jersey- Appointed by the President of the United States.

1998 to 2003 Member, Englewood City Council (Democrat). Three Year Term commencing January 1999, elected November, 1998.

1997 to 1999 Member, Englewood Board of Adjustment. Nominated by Mayor and appointed by Englewood City Council.

1992 to date Certified Emergency Medical Technician for the State of New York: Member, Hatzoloh Ambulance Corps, New York.

1985 to 1995 Member of the Selective Service Local Claims and Adjudication Board 158/4, State of New York. Nominated by Governor Cuomo and appointed by President Reagan to train and serve as a member of draft board in the event of a national Emergency.

1982 to 1992 Auxiliary Police Officer with the New York City Police Department (NYPD), volunteering one evening a week in the 112th Precinct as a uniformed Officer, in my then home community of Queens. Lectured extensively in public and private forums on public safety and crime prevention.

1986 to 1991 Member, Community Board No. 6. Two term appointment by Queens Borough President Claire Shulman in Forest Hills, N.Y. Served on the Public Safety Standing Committee as well as the Permanent Special Committee of Law.

Summer 1984 CONGRESSMAN GARY L. ACKERMAN, DEMOCRAT, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D.C. Congressional Intern, Assisted with legislative research; constituent correspondence; attended Congressional sessions and committee hearings; reported directly to the Congressman and accompanied Congressman at numerous appearances.

Summer 1984 CONGRESSWOMAN GERALDIN FERRARO, DEMOCRAT, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D.C. Congressional Intern, Assisted during the period of her Vice-Presidential candidacy in her Washington Congressional office.

1983 to 1989 Memberships in two Regular Democratic Clubs in New York. Carried petitions for local, state and federal Democratic candidates; served on several occasions as Official Poll Watcher on Election Day; engaged in and organized Voter Registration Drives and Lecture forums.

Memberships:

Chairman; New Jersey League of Immigration Task Force

Vice Chairman, NJ District Appeals Board Selective Service System (2002-Date) Of Counsel to: The Law Firm of Pavia and Harcourt; The National Police Defense Foundation; and The New Jersey State Law Enforcement Asian-American Advisory Committee Chair, American Jewish Congress’ Committee on International Terrorism Vice Chairman, Boys Town of Jerusalem Member, Committee on Present Danger Member, Advisory Board, Urban League of Bergen County Member, Board of Directors, B’nai Zion EMT, Member of Hatzolah Emergency Ambulance Corps (1992-Date); EVAC City Councilman, Englewood , NJ (Democrat,1998-2003) Englewood Board of Adjustment (1997-1999) Auxiliary Police Officer, NYC Police Department (1982-1992)

Sample High Profile Cases

Saudi Arabian diplomat (Mohammed Al-Khilewi) who defected after walking off with incriminating evidence of international terrorism and espionage Secured the cooperation of accused terrorist (Hani Al-Sayegh) implicated in the in Saudi Arabia – an atrocity in which 19 U.S. servicemen lost their lives Shoebomber Hero (Kwame James) who subdued , saving 197 passengers and crew members on American Airlines Flight 63 Represented international soccer star Pele and helped him obtain a visa, enabling him to come to the U.S to partner up with the New York Cosmos Helped obtain a visa and permanent residence Successfully represented Frumet Teitelbaum, whose husband died in the attack on the Mumbai Chabad House during the Terrorist Attacks in 2008, in helping her obtain lawful permanent residence in the U.S.

Michael Wildes

Michael J. Wildes

Mayor of Englewood, New Jersey In office 2003–2010 Preceded by Paul Fader Succeeded Frank Huttle III by Englewood City Councilman In office 1998–2001 Personal details Born Queens, New York City, New York Alma mater Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law Occupation Attorney Religion Jewish Website Wildes and Weinberg PC

Michael J. Wildes is an American immigration and senior partner of Wildes and Weinberg PC. He is a former Federal Prosecutor for the Eastern District of New York,[1] and a former Mayor of Englewood, New Jersey.[2] He is recognized as an authority on Immigration Law, and has been referred to as the “Attorney to the stars,” on issues of immigration.[3][4] Early life, education, and law career[edit]

He served with the NYPD as an Auxiliary Police Officer from 1982-1992. Wildes served with the United States Attorney's Office in Brooklyn from 1989-1993 and testified on Capitol Hill in connection with anti-terrorism legislation. He has represented several defectors who have provided difficult to obtain national security information to the United States.[5][6][7][8] He was appointed by the President of the United States to the District Appeals Board of the Selective Service System for the State of New Jersey and is a member of the Committee on Present Danger[9] (where he serves with former CIA Director, James Woolsey and Senator Joseph Lieberman). Notable clients • Helped soccer star Pelé obtain a visa to enable him to be a partner with the New York Cosmos soccer team[10] • Helped Miss Universe 2009 Stefanía Fernández obtain her visa[11][12] Academic career Wildes is now an adjunct professor at Yeshiva University's Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.[13] Political career[edit]

Fundraising [edit] Michael has become nationally recognized in the Democratic Party as a leading fundraiser for congressional and senate candidates throughout the United States---including U.S. Senators Hillary Clinton, , , etc. Senator Kennedy had said that he had "high expectations" that Michael Wildes will be joining them in the United States Congress in the future.[18][19] The Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) voted him one of their “100 National Up and Coming Leaders to Watch.[20]” Englewood politics [edit] After serving two terms on the Englewood, NJ, City Council, Wildes was elected Mayor in November 2003 and again to a second term in November 2006. 2012 congressional election[edit] Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey, 2012#District 9

In March 2012, Wildes decided to run in the newly redrawn New Jersey's 9th congressional district, based in Bergen and Passaic counties. In the Democratic primary, he will face U.S. Congressmen and . It had been speculated that Wildes' candidacy would have helped Pascrell. Wildes ultimately decided not to run and he put his support behind Rep. Rothman in the Democratic primary;[21] Rothman lost that election. Wildes has $700,000 on hand.[22] Philanthropy career[edit]

Wildes served as chair of the American Jewish Congress' Committee on International Terrorism.[23] He is a member of the Advisory Board for the Urban League of Bergen County,[24] and Member of the Board of Directors of Boys Town of Jerusalem.[25] He is a certified EMT[26] and a Member of the Hatzoloh Volunteer Ambulance Corps[27] in New York; the Englewood Volunteer Ambulance Corp (EVAC), and served over 10 years (1982-1992) with the NYPD as an Auxiliary Police Officer.[28] References [edit]

1. ^ "Members of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on Immigrant Policy". 12/10/2007. Retrieved 2011-04- 08. 2. ^ O'Reilly, Bill. "Major Sex Slavery Ring Busted in Minn. Involves illegal immigrants; Angers Activists". Fox News. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 3. ^ Fabrikant, Mel (October 22, 2010). "Attorney to the Stars, Michael Wildes, Retained By Best-Selling Artist Sarah Brightman". Retrieved 8 April 2011. 4. ^ Lipowsky, Josh (September 9, 2010). "Former Englewood Mayor Wildes Boosts Jewish Boxer Salita". The Standard of Bergen County. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 5. ^ "Defector says Pakistan had nuclear first strike plan". CNN News. July 1, 1998. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 6. ^ Jennings, Peter (July 1, 1998). "Attorney Michael Wildes with Pakistani Defector". ABC News. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 7. ^ Sugg, John (February 1999). "Steven Emerson's Crusade". FAIR, the national media watch group. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 8. ^ Wildes, Michael; Angela Khaminwa, Frank Emmert, Richard Horowitz, Esq. Hans Smit (11). "Negotiating With Terrorists And Non-State Actors: The Journey To World Peace". Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution (Cardozo Law School) 2 (2). 9. ^ "Our Members". The Committee on the Present Danger. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 10. ^ "Pele gets U.S. visa to join Cosmos staff". Big Apple Soccer. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 11. ^ "Miss Universe 2009 Secures A U.S. ". The Wonk Room. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 12. ^ Myricks, Dan (November 3, 2010). "Immigration Attorney Secures Visa for ". Focus Magazine. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 13. ^ "Michael Wildes to Serve as Adjunct Professsor". Fox 49 Tallahassee. July 13, 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2011. 14. ^ a b Berger, Joseph (August 27, 2009). "Qaddafi’s Visit Upsets N.J. Residents". New York Times. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 15. ^ "Estate at center of Gaddafi protests vandalized". The Associated Press. Thursday, September 24, 2009. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 16. ^ DeMarco, Jerry (August 28, 2009). "Qadaffi not coming to Englewood". Cliffview Pilot. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 17. ^ Panovka, Rebecca (July 2011). "Exigent Times: Konrad Aderer’s Enemy Alien". The New York Observer. Retrieved 5 October 2011. 18. ^ Davidovit, Aliza (October 2007). "Leading by Example". Lifestyles Magazine. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 19. ^ "Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes hosts benefit for US Senator Ted Kennedy". JerseyPolitics. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 20. ^ "DLC Spotlights 100 of the Rising New Democrat Stars". About the Democratic Leadership Council. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 21. ^ Pizarro, Max (March 30, 2012). "Wildes endorses Rothman in CD 9". PolitickerNJ. 22. ^ http://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/143438286_Ex-mayor_s_possible_run_could_aid_Pascrell.html 23. ^ Volmer, Jackelyn. "Q&A With Michael Wildes". Yeshiva University Commentator. Yeshiva University. Retrieved 8 March 2005. 24. ^ "The Urban League for Bergen County Advisory Board". The Urban League for Bergen County. Retrieved 8 April 2011.

25. ^ "Boys Town Jerusalem Foundation of America". National Board of Directors. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 26. ^ Engel, Josh (November 2009). "Mayor Michael Wildes Gives Back". The Resident. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 27. ^ Engel, Josh (November 2009). "Mayor Michael Wildes Gives Back". Resident. 11 22: Pg. 108. ^ "Mayoralty Race in Englewood Echoes Senate Race in Connecticut, but, in NJ, the Orthodox Candidate is the Democrat and the Left-Wing Is Supporting the Independent". Jewish Post and Opinion. October 2006. Retrieved 8 April 2011.

Awards and Honors:

Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County: Builder of the Year Award, June 15, 2006, for his constant support of Habitat providing affordable housing to families in Bergen County. New Jersey State Law Enforcement Asian-American Advisory Committee: Community Service Award, on February 22, 2006, in his help to promote an understanding between the Asian-American community and New Jersey State Law Enforcement Agencies. Larger Than Life NJ: Recipient of the Community Service Award, May 12, 2005, for his support for improving the quality of life for children with cancer, regardless of religion, race or ethnicity. Bergen Family Center: honored for his outstanding community service on November 9, 2004. The New Jersey State Assembly joined in congratulating the honorees on receiving their awards and paying tribute to their meritorious record of service. State of Israel Bonds: Recipient of the Henry Morgenthau, Jr. Distinguished Service Award at the National Dinner of Tribute on May 6, 2004, honoring prominent leaders in the legal profession. The award is accompanied by a resolution of the New Jersey General Assembly, joining Israel Bonds in honoring and congratulating him on receiving the award. Aleh Foundation: Civil Leadership Award on February 2, 2004. The award is accompanied by resolutions of the New York and New Jersey State Assemblies and the New Jersey State Senate, joining Aleh Foundation in applauding Michael Wildes for tireless and selfless service to the community-at-large. The State of New Jersey: Senate and General Assembly resolutions commending Michael Wildes for his exemplary record of public service on the occasion of his swearing-in as Mayor of Englewood, on January 5, 2004. Israel’s Ministry of Tourism: Michael Wildes named Ambassador of Goodwill for Israel by Minister of Tourism Binyamin Elon. 2004 State of New Jersey: For hosting the Mayor of Jerusalem, Uri Lupolianski to his home in Englewood on December 1, 2003. The New Jersey State Assembly commended Michael Wildes on his distinguished service Urban League for Bergen County, Inc.: Outstanding Civic Achievement Award at the Eighty-Fifth Anniversary Dinner on June 5, 2003. The New Jersey General Assembly and the City of Englewood joins Urban League in praising his distinguished and meritorious record of service and commitment to his fellow citizens. Friends of Lubavitch of Bergen County: Community Leadership Award, on December 2, 2001. The New Jersey State Assembly joined Friends of Lubavitch in honoring Michael and Amy Wildes. Boys Town Jerusalem: Distinguished Community Service Award, on May 17, 2000 for Michael Wildes’ exemplary record of devotion to the Jewish community at-large and Boys Town Jerusalem. The New Jersey State Senate and Assembly issued resolutions joining Boys Town in paying tribute to his meritorious record of service and leadership. Yeshiva Ohr HaTalmud: Community Service Award at the Inaugural Dinner on April 25,1999, for his dedicated service and leadership in behalf of the Englewood community. The New Jersey State Assembly joined Ohr HaTalmud in applauding Michael Wildes in a resolution. The City of Englewood: Volunteer Recognition Awards 2006-2008 for hard work and dedication to the community and its residents. The Bergen Country Board of Chosen Freeholders: honoring Michael Wildes For Distinguished Community Service. Date Unknown Democratic Leadership Council: Mentioned MJW as one of 100 New Democrats to Watch.

Board Memberships:

Community of Friends In Action: Legal Advisor, 2011- New Jersey State Committee for Israel @60: Honorary Associate Chair, 2009. Yeshiva University: appointed Member of the General Counsel’s Council in 2008.

AILA-NY Executive Committee: AILA-NY Advocacy Committee from Jan-June 2008. New Jersey State League of Municipalities: served as Chair of the Legal Task Force on Immigration and on the Governor Corzine’s Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on Immigration Policy, appointed on August 6, 2007. Bank Of New Jersey: Advisory Board Member, 2006. Daughters of Miriam Center –The Gallen Institute: Board Member of the Board of Trustees until March 2006. New Jersey Conference of Mayors: Board of Directors. Bnai Zion Foundation Inc.: Board Member, Since 2005. Committee on the Present Danger New Jersey Philharmonic: Honorary Board Member, December, 2007. NY & NJ Asian American Law Enforcement Advisory Committee: member of the Legal committee, 2006. Selective Service System: District Appeal Board Member for the State of NJ. 2002- New York State Bar Association. American Friends of Magen David Adom: The Bruce Mandel Memorial Ambulance Campaign for Israel Committee. Office of the Mayor – City of Newark: Economic Development Committee.

Certificates of Participation:

Grieco Elementary School: Certificate of Participation as a reader in Read Across America in Englewood, NJ on March 6, 2009. Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts: Letter of Appreciation from Lesley Friedman Rosenthal for past services rendered in obtaining visas for performers. Dated February 26, 2009. Lincoln Elementary School: Certificate of Appreciation for participation in Latino Heritage Month Celebration, Englewood, NJ, October 20, 2008. The State of New Jersey Senate and General Assembly: Citation and appreciation for volunteer service in the Planning Board and dedication to the community of Englewood. September 25, 2008. Bilingual Educators: Recognition for efforts on behalf of NJ’s immigrants, May 21st, 2008. New Jersey State Committee For Israel @60: Certificate of Appreciation acknowledging Michael Wildes’ support as Honorary Associate-Chair, May 8, 2008. New Jersey Conference of Mayors: Certificate of Membership, 2008. New Jersey Conference of Mayors: Certificate of Membership for 2007. Englewood Public School District: Certificate of gratitude for participating in the Circles of Color Community Lecture Series at Dwight Morrow High School 2006-2007. June 2007. NJ-NY Asian American Law Enforcement Advisory Committee: Membership Certificate, November 2006. County of Bergen, New Jersey: Commendation for being honored as Builder of the Year by Habitat for Humanity, June 15, 2006. Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders: Commendation for being honored as 2006 Builder of the Year by Habitat for Humanity and commitment to the welfare of the community. New Jersey Conference of Mayors: Certificate of Membership for 2006. Circles of Color, LLC: Certificate of Membership for 2005, presented on November 23, 2005. The Korean-American Association of New Jersey: Certificate of Appreciation on the occasion of the Fourth Annual Korean Thanksgiving Day Festival, held on September 17-18, 2005. Englewood Public Schools: Certificate for supporting students and programs of Englewood Public School District, June 1, 2005. Cleveland Elementary School: Appreciation for participation as a Reader in Read Across America Celebration, March 2, 2005. Bergen Family Center: token of appreciation on the occasion of being honored at “Friends of the Family” Annual Awards Dinner, presented on November 9,2004. The Korean-American Association of New Jersey: Certificate of appreciation for support to the Korean Community on the occasion of the Third Annual Korean Thanksgiving Day Festival, September 25-26, 2004. Orange County Executive: Certificate of Recognition In appreciation for participation at Kiryas Joel Volunteer EMS Dinner, February 15, 2004. County of Bergen, New Jersey: Certificate of Inauguration from Mayor David L. Ganz on the occasion of Michael Wildes’ inauguration as Mayor of Englewood on January 5, 2004. The Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders: Certificate of Commendation in recognition of receiving the Outstanding Civic Achievement Award from the Urban League of Bergen County, June 5, 2003 (2 Copies).

Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law of Yeshiva University: Certificate of Excellence For Outstanding Service to the Cardozo Students through participation in the 2002-2003 Mentor/Mentee Program. Lincoln School: Certificate of Appreciation for contributing to the educational program and involvement in Read Across America, March 3, 2003. State of NJ General Assembly: Citation by citizenry on being elected to the council of Englewood, January 5, 2002. County of Bergen, State Of NJ: Certificate of Election to serve as Councilman for Full Term Ward 2 in Englewood, November 13, 2001 (2 Copies). P.A.R.E.N.T International: Appreciation of participation in the International Abduction Conference held in Washington D.C., May 11-13, 2000 (3 Copies) New Jersey Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition: Certificate in recognition of valuable leadership in working to protect the health and safety of the residents in metropolitan New York and hard work to close Indian Point. Bergen Family Center: Certificate of Appreciation for participating in “Read Across America” program. County of Bergen, New Jersey: Certificate of Commendation on the occasion of being named “Community Service Awardee by Yeshiva Ohr HaTalmud, proclaiming April 25, 1999 to be “The Honorable Michael J. Wildes Day” in Bergen County. Selective Service System: certificate of appreciation for Five Years of Loyal Service on October 22, 1992. District Court for the District of New Jersey: Certificate of Good Standing Issued by William T. Walsh, clerk of the United States, on June 7, 1990. The City Of New York Police Department: Certificate of Accomplishment for having completed primary training course in volunteer training school of the NYPD. June 9, 1983.

Conferences and Publications:

World Policy Institute: World Policy Around the Table, May 2, 2013, discussing Sustainable Global Cities, smarter consumption models and adapting to resource shortages. Langfan Constitutional Oratory Competition: Panelist judge on April 28, 2013. United States- Chamber of Commerce: participated in the “Work and Visa Permits” presentation and discussion on July 31st, 2012. Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law: Jewish Law Students Association and the Israel Alliance presented Michael Wildes speaking about “US Immigration and the Jewish Community”, on Israeli Independence Day, April 19, 2010. Benjamin N. School of Law: Jewish Law Students Association, addressing them about Michael Wildes’ unique perspective as an orthodox mayor, Gaddafi’s stay in Englewood, April, 2010. Englewood Academies: Addressed Law and Public Policy Issues class regarding immigration policy on the week after March 26, 2010. NYU Law School: Moot Court Competition Judge February 19, 2010. Crown Heights Community Center: Town Hall Meeting on February 10, 2010 where Michael Wildes discussed Green cards, citizenship, R-1 and other work visas. Addressing Security Concerns As We Begin 2010: Michael Wildes joined security professionals, facility managers and law enforcement officials addressing security concerns, on January 5, 2010. The Immigration Compliance Book: 2009-2010 edition featuring an article by Michael Wildes titled “A New Remedy in ICE’s Arsenal: Debarment”, on page 284. Eastern Bergen County Board of Realtors Inc.: Annual Membership Meeting on September 24, 2009. Michael Wildes was guest speaker. Pace University Law School: spoke about immigration law on September 8, 2009. Baruch College: Panelist on “Dream Act: a near reality or just a dream?” on April 30, 2009. Monmouth Vicinage Municipal Court Advance: “Adaptability” April 24, 2009. Remarks on Immigration. Includes publication by the NJ Municipalities magazine in June 2009 edition. Bergen News Bulletin: on March 18, 2009, mentioning Michael Wildes on speaking to a forum on day laborers. Langfan Family Constitutional Oratory Competition: March 16, 2009. Participated as judge. Community of Friends in Action: “Immigration Issues and Their Impact On Our Communities Part Two Part Two”. March 12, 2009. Stirling Henry Migration Services: New York Seminar – January 21, 2009. “Moving your Workforce between the U.S & Today”.

COC Community Lecture Series, LLC: “You Are the Author of Your Own Life Story” May 8, 2008/2009. Michael Wildes spoke. Let’s Get Real with Reuben Torres: August 5, 2008. Participation in radio interview on Immigration enforcement and local effects and Employment immigration compliance matters and sanctions. The Press Journal Community Newspaper: featuring Michael Wildes August 2, 2007, on Immigration issues and participation in a panel on Immigration law in a post-911 America. State of New Jersey: Governor’s Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on Immigrant Policy”, July 31, 2008, Michael Wildes moderating the call on issues related to immigrant integration at the municipal level. NJ 1st Suburgs: Virtual Brown Bag Lunches: “Immigration in the First Suburbs”, July 24, 2008. NJTESOL/NJBE: Spring Conference 2008, May 20-21, 2008, panelist on “Learn How Current Education and Immigration Policies Affect You and Your Students”. Human Relations Conference: May 7, 2007. Panelist on “The Changing Population of Bergen County: What is the Impact on Our Communities?” and “Perspective of Law Enforcement Implications and Immigration Issues on a Changing Population”. Sponsored by Bergen County Department of Human Services. People’s Organization for Progress: “Immigration Issues and Their Impact on Our Communities”, hosted by Michael Wildes on May 6, 2008 at Englewood Public Library. Rutgers University Program on Immigration and Democracy: “Local Government and Immigration Integration: Challenges and Opportunities”. Panelist, April 29, 2008. Langfan Family Oratory Competition: March 25, 2008 at Yeshiva Unviersity’s Wilf Campus. Jewish Standard: January 4, 2008, cited as a newsmaker in 2007 on “Michael Wildes: Taking action on immigration”. New Jersey State League of Municipalities: 92nd Annual Conference, November 15, 2007. Panelist on “Arts Smart Investment: Economic Prosperity through the Arts”. New Jersey Municipalities: October 2007 edition, “The Rationale Behind Sanctuary Cities” by Michael Wildes. : Metro Section mentions Michael Wildes on March 15, 2007, representing Mamadou Soumare, an illegal immigrant from Mali. New Jersey League of Municipalities: 91st Annual Conference, November 14-17, 2006. Presiding over league workshops “Immigration and Migration Trends – Implication for New Jersey’s Local Govt’s” and “Solutions to Overcrowding”. Center for Government Services Policy Seminar Series: Panelist and Presiding Official on “Immigration and Migration Trends: Implications for New Jersey’s Local Governments”, November 14, 2006 June 2006 edition of New Jersey Municipalities; Michael Wildes column titled “Liberty Is for All of Us”. Cardozo School of Law: Immigration workshop on March 6th, 2006. 2006 Langfan Family Constitutional Oratory Competition: February 23, 2006. Served as Final Round Judge. 2006 International Student Interview Program: discussing Employment Regulation for Foreign Attorneys Working in the United States. January 27, 2006. Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law: Michael Wildes taught Immigration Law Spring 2006. Northern Valley Suburbanite: November 9, 2005. Michael Wildes featured in an article “Defining Moment has successful gala”. Defining Moment Foundation: October, 27, 2005 Michael Wildes guest speaker at the foundation’s dinner. The Foundation works with at-risk children and seniors to reverse the culture of substance abuse. The Suburbanite: piece on Michael Wildes from February 23, 2005, used as campaign literature. Friends of Grace Senior Inc: Gave congratulatory speech on Open House of Korean Community Center’s “Grand Opening to Healthier Life”, on September 18, 2004. Presented on Employment Regulations For Foreign Working Attorneys Working in the U.S, on January 25, 2003, at Georgetown Law School. Life or Liberty: Participation in an interview for a short documentary about racial profiling in the wake of 9/11, directed by Konrad Aderer of AfAsia Productions, May 22, 2002. NJLM Conference: Presiding and Panelist on “Immigration – Language Access on the Local Level”. Legal Briefs on Immigration Reform: “From the Mayflower to Main Street: United States Immigration Law and Our Economy” by Michael Wildes. Date unknown. LifeStyleMagazine: “Michael Wildes Leading by example”. Expose on MJW, by Aliza Davidovit.

Miscellaneous:

Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition on completion of Summer Congressional Internship. Dated 8/8/84, signed by Cong. .

Pi Sigma Alpha Certification on Initiation into the National Political Science Society on May 15, 1985. Queens College Diploma: February 3, 1986. Cover letter for Internship application at Congressman Manton, dated August 1, 1986. Admission as an Attorney and Counselor at Law to all the courts of NY State by Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of NY. Dated January 9, 1991. Letter from William S. Slattery, District Director at DOJ INS New York District upon Michael Wildes’ departure from government service, dated to December 15, 1992. Grandparents Shop Inc.: Letter of Appreciation to Michael Wildes for serving as Grand Marshall at “Salute to National Grandparents Day” in September 8, 2002. Mayor’s Film Commission in Englewood, NJ, presenting a special tribute in honor of Black History Month, saluting African-American Filmmaker Oscar Micheaux, February 9, 2005. Family Teen Center’s Third Annual Talent Showcase, on July 29, 2006, featuring Michael Wildes.

Michael Wildes Speaking Engagements:

2004:

Temple Emanu-El on October 2012 in Closter, NJ, about Michael Wildes’ profile and journey to Mayor. Clifton Jewish Center on October 17 in Clifton, NJ about the Role of the Mayor in Times of Crisis St. Paul’s Church (Kol HaNeshamah) on October 22 in Englewood, NJ, about profile and Journey to Mayor. Home of Stuart and Rhoda Faber on October 24 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ at Hadassah Dinner and Michael Wildes’ visit to Israel and Hadassah Hospital. Woman’s Club on October 25 in Englewood, NJ, about Women’s Issues and Immigration law post-9/11. Entertainment and Sports Committee on October 26 in New York, NY about Immigration and Tax Issues. Jewish Community Center on October 28 in Fort Lee, NJ about Profile and Journey to Mayor. Congregation Beth Aharon on October 31 in Teaneck, NJ about U.S War on Terrorism’s Impact on Israel and Our Community. St. Paul’s Church on October 31 in Englewood, NJ at a Political Forum. NYU School of Law in NY, NY at 9th Annual Career Education Fair. Freehold Jewish Center on November 11 in Freehold, NJ about the U.S War on Terrorism’s Impact on Israel and Our Community. Princeton Club (Rotary Club of NY) on December 7, in NY, NY, about the U.S War on Terrorism’s impact on Israel and Our community.

2005:

DMHS Auditorium on January 15 in Englewood, NJ as Keynote Speaker remembering Dr. King. Ft. Lee Wm T. Birch Pk. & Rec. Center on February 9 in Fort Lee, NJ at Mayor’s Conference. Congregation Ohr on February 9, in Highland Park, NJ about U.S War on Terrorism’s Impact on Israel and Our Community. Temple Emanue-El on February 15 in Closter, NJ Introducing Rabbi Shmuley Boteach at his new book presentation. Northern Valley Mayors Association on February 24 in Norwood, NJ about trip to Jerusalem and war on terrorism. Englewood Hospital and Medical Center on April 12 in Englewood, NJ about Terrorism Forum with Christie and Casperson. Englewood Library on June 8 in Englewood, NJ about US Immigration in Modern Times. Rockleigh Country Club on October 27 in Rockleigh, NJ on Celebrating the Goddess in every women, (Defining Moment Dinner).

2007:

U.S Courthouse on February 22 in NY, NY on Anti-Terrorism and U.S Immigration Policy.

2008:

Yeshiva Wilf Campus on February 12 in NY, NY on Pre-Law Advisement. Rutgers Eagleton Institute of Politics on April 29 in New Brunswick, NJ about Local Gov’t and Immigration Integration: Challenges and Opportunities. Englewood Public Library on May 6 in Englewood, NJ about Immigration Issues and Their Impact on Our Communities. Saiber on July 17 in Newark NJ. Virtual Brown Bag Panel on July 24. Governor’s Blue Panel Testimony on July 31. Radio Station on August 5. Katten Presentation on September 4. Temple Shalom on September 11 in River Edge, NJ giving a 9/11 Memorial Briefing. French-American Chamber of Commerce on September 17 in New York, NY on their Fall Kick-Off. Solaia Restaurant on September 24 in Englewood, NJ about Immigration I-9 Compliance and How it Will Affect Your Business. Bergen Community College on September 25 in Paramus, NJ at Meet the Mayors. WNBC TV in September, in Caldwell, NJ in Immigration Interview by Hometown News Show. Atlantic City Convention Center on November 19 in Atlantic City, NJ on Immigration – Language Access on the Local Level.

2009:

Wildes & Weinberg, P.C on January 21 in New York, NY about Moving Your Workforce Between the U.S and Australia Today. Withers Law firm on March 11, in NY, NY about U.S Immigration Law and Policy. Palisades Park Public Library on March 12 in Palisades Park, NJ on Immigration Issues & Their Impact on Our Communities Part II. Yeshiva University on March 16 in New York judging Langfan Oratorial Competition. Berkeley College on March 20 in New York, NY presenting on US Immigration and Nationality Matters. Pace University on April 22 in NY presenting on US Immigration and Nationality Matters. Eatontown Sheraton on April 24 in Eatontown, NJ in Municipal Court Advance. Baruch College on April 30 in New York presenting about US Immigration and Nationality Matters. Dwight Morrow High School on May 8 in Englewood, NJ “You Are The Author of Your Own Story”. Academies at Englewood on May 8 in Englewood, NJ about Immigration Law to class. Weichert Realty on May 15 in Tenafly, NJ about Immigration Law and Real Estate. UJA-Federation of NY on June 17 in New York. Fordham Law School on November 3 in New York. City Blessing Church on November 8 in New York. Pan American International High School on November 13 in Queens, NY on Latino Youth for Higher Education Program.

2010:

Indian Cultural Center at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands on March 1. Cardozo Law School on April 19 in New York. Lincoln Center on July 29 in New York. West Side Presbyterian Church on September 15 in Englewood, NJ. Pace Law School on October 7 in White Plains, NY. Unitarian Society of Ridgewood on November 2 in Ridgewood, NJ. Yeshiva Wilf Campus on November 11 in New York. Yeshiva Stern Campus on November 15 in New York. RAJE Englewood Shabbaton on November 20 in Englewood, NJ. Cardozo Law School Chabbad Graduation Lecturer on November 30 in NY. American Friends of Magen David Adom on December 8 in Englewood, NJ (Home of Michael Wildes) on Anti- Terrorism, hosting Yuval Aviv and Michael Wildes as featured speakers and CEO of MDA.

2011:

UJA P2K: Immigration Lecture to Israeli Prosecutors on January 10 in Paramus, NJ. Club Colombia on January 30 in Hackensack, NJ on an Immigration Synopsium. Hadassah Hospital Education Institute on March 28 in Fair Lawn, NJ on Dialogue On Immigration: As people of the Passport: US/Immigrants. Yeshiva University on March 7 in New York Lecturing Foreign students on Immigration. Pace University Law School on April 7 in Westchester Lecturing Students. Binghamton University on June 9 on YouTube about US Immigration Law: Balancing National Security and Our Growth as a Nation. Cardozo Law School: YU Counsel’s Council on July 21 in New York presenting about immigration. Rebecca Inc. Russian Television on August 28 in Queens, NY, lecturing on Deportations and Detentions. Adeptus CPAs I-9 Presentation on September 7 in NY on Form I-9 Audits. National Jewish Students Association on September 27 in NYC. West Side Sephardic Synagogue on December 8 in New York, NY on Ways to remain in the U.S

2012:

Yeshiva Pre-Law Society on January 31 at YU Campus in New York on Running for Office and Running a Law Firm: The Good, Bad and Ugly. Cardozo Law on February 8 in NY lecturing LLM Students on US Visas in Q&A format. Lecture at Tenafly JCC on February 14 in Tenafly, NJ to retired professionals and executives on “Are We Treating Our Immigrants Properly: Immigration Policy and Practice”. Cardozo Law on March 1 in New York to FIRE on Opportunities in Corporate Immigration Law. Bringable: Jewish Professionals on April 3 in NYC on “Bring to the Table”. Langfan Oratorial Competition at Yeshiva University on April 22 at Cardozo. Pace Law School on April 24 at Westchester Campus speaking to Immigration group. US-Mexican Chamber of Commerce on July 31 at Wildes & Weinberg on Immigration for Professionals. Yeshiva University’s General Counsel’s Council on July 10, in New York at Pro-Bono Program Reception. International Culinary Center Workshop on August 23 in NYC. Seminar for Upwardly Global Job Seekers at Wildes & Weinberg on September 10. DACA Lecture on October 24 in Bergenfield, NJ. Cardozo Law Lecture on November 29 on John Lennon Case.

2013:

RAJE Englewood Shabbaton on January 11 in Englewood. National Action Network: Al Sharpton National Legal Night on January 31 in Harlem on “Immigration at a Crossroads: A Discussion on what Immigrants and Employers should Expect”. Yeshiva University Lecture on February 11 at YU campus on What every lawyer should know aobut immigration, Brooklyn Law School on February 13 serving as a panelist on immigration and entrepreneurship. Yeshiva University’s mentoring program on February 25 at downtown campus, reviewing students’ question. Fashion Law symposium at Cardozo on February 28 about International Fashion Modeling. Our Soldiers Speak on March 10 at Bronfman Center on “Who Owns Jerusalem: Israel or Palestine?” Queens College Lecture on March 11 on Immigration compliance workshop. Bridgeport University on March 21 in Connecticut lecturing about visas and related issues and opportunities. Cardozo Panel on Immigration Reform on March 21. New School Immigration Seminar on April 4 about the Business world, Michael Wildes’ own career and personal lessons. Our Soldiers Speak Event at Michael Wildes’ home on April 9 hosting IDF General Noam Tibbon addressing Israeli security concerns. Yeshiva University Kukin Lecture Series n April 19 at Yeshiva’s midtown campus about Entrepreneurial and Executive issues. Yeshiva University’s Langfan Oratorial Competition at Wilf Campus on April 28. International Culinary Center Immigration workshop on May 6 in New York. East Harlem School on May 7 on Deferred Action and Immigration Reform.

Publications By Michael Wildes:

1. Notable Client Cases a. All you need is love -- and a good Jewish lawyer (Remembering John Lennon) by Leon Wildes, New Jersey Jewish Standard, December 10, 2010 b. Leon Wildes' Free Legal Services Help Save Pakistani Child's Life Appearing in the Association of Immigration and Nationality newsletter, August/September 1979 2. Immigration Reform, the Undocumented, and Ethics a. Immigration Reform i. Taking Our Medicine: Pressing Need for Immigration Reform by Michael Wildes, New Jersey Law Journal, December 6, 2010 ii. Bringing Immigration Into the 21st Century by Michael Wildes, New Jersey Law Journal, February 15, 2010 iii. Taking our Medicine: America's Pressing and Unanswered Need for Immigration Reform by Leon and Michael Wildes, Posting on Immigration Daily (ILW.COM) iv. Opinion: A Needed Return to Immigration Reform by Michael Wildes, Posting on sphere.com, November 20, 2009 v. Why Now is the Right Time for Immigration Reform – National Journal quoting Michael Wildes, January 29, 2013 vi. Will immigration reform cover LGBTQ couples?MSNBC.com quoting Michael Wildes, February 8, 2013 vii. Why Immigration Reform May Happen This Year, CNBC.com quoting Michael Wildes January 7, 2013 viii. Will “amnesty” produce more ? – CSMonitor.com, quoting Michael Wildes, February 4, 2013

b. The Dream Act i. Keep DREAMing: The November Election and What It Means for Comprehensive Immigration Reform by Michael Wildes and Leon Wildes, Posting on Immigration Daily (ILW.COM) c. Border Concerns i. A Troublesome Fence by Leon Wildes, Published by Immigration Daily, June 2008 ii. Immigration Reform and U.S. Security by Michael Wildes, OPEd News, June 29, 2011 d. Issues in Washington i. Wildes Addresses D.C. Chapter on Legal Ethics by Leon Wildes, Appearing in the Association of Immigration and Nationality Lawyers newsletter, February/March 1979 ii. Guest Voz: Deafening Silence From our Leaders in Washington Over Immigration Reform is Incomprehensible by Michael Wildes, Posting on LatinaLista (LatinaLista.net), May 20, 2011 iii. Now is the Time for Obama to Take Lead in Push for Immigration Reform by Michael Wildes, The Hill’s Congress Blog, August 2, 2010 vi. Wildes: Better Immigration Data Needed by Michael Wildes, posting on rollcall.com, January 18, 2010 ix. Lawmakers Consider Ending Citizenship for Children of Illegal Immigrants Published by FoxNews.com, Michael Wildes quoted, July 29, 2010 x. Obama Deportation Policy Could Be „Nightmare” for Law Enforcement By Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, Michael Wildes Quoted, August 19, 2011 vii. Hispanics Still Wary of Obama Over Deportations By Hayley Peterson, The Washington Examiner, Michael Wildes Quoted e. Legalizing the Undocumented i. They‟re undocumented, but they are paying their taxes by Michael Wildes, Posted on NorthJersey.com from The Record, May 12, 2010 ii. Give Illegal Immigrants Citizenship; It‟s Good for America by Michael Wildes, Guest Writing for HISPANOSPHERE

iii. Guest Voz: NJ Major says it makes sense to grant citizenship to undocumented immigrants by Michael Wildes, Posting on LatinaLista (LatinaLista.net), November 12, 2009 iv. As Members of Congress Draft a Bill to Tackle Illegal Immigrants in the U.S. Michael J. Wildes Maintains that They Should Remain—For Economic, Social, and Historic Reasons by Michael Wildes, Posting on Industry Today, January 18, 2010 v. The Risk of Traveling with An Undocumented Nanny on Pesach by Michael Wildes, The Jewish Press, March 17, 2010

f. Miscellaneous Immigration Articles & Pictures (Quoted) i. Tri-Valley University Probe has foreign Students Fearful of Deportation By Sophia Kazmi, Posted on mercurynews.com from Contra Costa Times, Michael Wildes Quoted, February 3, 2011, ii. Broken Borders: Will Immigration Reform Be Next? by Huma Khan and Devin Dwyer, Michael Wildes Quoted, ABC News, March 19, 2010 iii. New Immigration support has advocates dancing but some say endorsement might be election-year politics by Victor Manuel Ramos, Orlando Sentinel, Michael Wildes Quoted, September 20, 2010 iv. Another Claim to Nativo Lopez by Yolanda Arenales, La Opinión, Michael Wildes Quoted vi. Universities or Visa Mills? By Lisa M. Krieger, San Jose Mercury News, Michael Wildes Quoted, July 17, 2011

North Jersey‟s undocumented immigrants readying to file for work permits By Monsy Alvarado, NorthJersey.com, Michael Wildes Quoted, August 14, 2012

How Immigrants Are Changing US Businesses By Mark Koba, CNBC.com, Michael Wildes Quoted, August 14, 2012

Lawyers Expect Young Immigrants to Flood Small Employers By Karen E. Klein, BloombergBusinessweek, August 20, 2012

Discussion on deferred action, Suburbanite Newspaper, Michael Wildes, October 2012

3. Immigration, National Security, & Terrorism a. Times Square Bomber Shazad i. Times Square Bomber Left Trail From Keys to Calls(Update2) by Patricia Hurtado, Posted on Bloomberg.com, Bloomberg Businessweek, SFGate, Michael Wildes Quoted ii. Inside the Beltway by Jennifer Harper, Michael Wildes quoted in , May 5, 2010 iii. Times Square Bomber Probe: Did Faisal Shahzad act alone? by Ron Scherer, Yahoo! News, The Christian Science Monitor, Michael Wildes Quoted, May 4, 2010 iv. ‘Bomber‟: I did it by myself by Emily Ngo, Michael Wildes quoted b. New Jersey Terrorism Issues i. Newark airport security breach video shows man giving goodbye kiss to girlfriend by Star-Ledger Staff, The Star Ledger, Michael Wildes quoted, January 07, 2010 ii. New Jersey men arraigned on terrorism charges by Richard A. Serrano, Los Angeles Times, Michael Wildes quoted, June 8, 2010 iii. N.J. terror suspects to appear in court for bail hearing The Star Ledger, Michael Wildes quoted, June 10, 2011 iv. NJ Terror Arrests & The Oil Spill & Terror Suspects in Court My9tv, Michael Wildes mentioned and pictures Why President Hugo Chavez is Bad for and Good for Florida‟s Housing Recovery by Michael Wildes, Huffington Post, February 4, 2013

c. Flight 253 Case & Shoe Bomber i. FBI probes account of Michigan couple in Flight 253 case by Naomi R. Patton and Ben Schmitt, Dallasnews.com, DailyMe,Citizen- Times.com,Freep.com, The Herald, Treehugger.com, NPR.org, Michael Wildes quoted, December 30, 2009 ii. Christmas Day Plot Reflects Failure to Connect Warning Signs, Officials Say FoxNews.com, Michael Wildes quoted, May 1, 2010 iii. Hero who helped subdue shoe bomber becomes citizen by Kate Brumback, The Associated Press, Michael Wildes noted, April 12, 2010 d. Fort Hood Shooting i. Muslims fight to control Fort Hood attack fallout by Kathryn Blaze Carlson, National Post, Michael Wildes quoted, November 6, 2009 ii. Muslims stunned by Fort Hood Shooting By Julia Duin, The Washington Times, Michael Wildes quoted, November 7, 2009 iii. The Jim Bohannon Show Michael Wildes Bio e. Rebbetzin Teitelbaum i. Respecting Rebbetzin Teitelbaum Hamodia, Michael Wildes quoted, March 26, 2010 ii. Widow of terror-victim rabbi can stay in US by John Doyle, , Michael Wildes quoted, August 5, 2010 iii. Terror-widow „deport‟ fear by John Doyle, New York Post, Michael Wildes quoted, March 22, 2010 f. Gadhafi i. Possible déjà vu for town that protested Gadhafi by David Porter, from The Associated Press posted on, DailyRecord.com, Asbury Park Press, Associated Press, 101 Wins, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Newser, Northjersey.com, Michael Wildes quoted g. Miscellaneous Quoted Articles i. Re-Thinking Anti-Terrorism in the United States The Hamodia, Michael Wildes Interviewed ii. U.S. moves to seize mosques with Iran ties The Washington Times, Michael Wildes quoted, November 13, 2009 4. Immigration State and Local Matters a. Local Law Enforcement and Immigration: Community Conflict in the Making by Michael Wildes, Immigration Law Today, September/October 2008 (Vol. 27 No. 5) b. Morristown's Misguided Bid to Enforce Immigration Law by Michael Wildes, This article was first published in the October 27, 2008 issue of the New Jersey Law Journal and is republished here with permission. c 2008 ALM Properties, Inc. All rights reserved. c. The Rationale Behind Sanctuary Cities by Michael Wildes, Published by New Jersey Municipalities Magazine, October 2007 d. Former Mayor Wildes Discusses Immigration Law By Mike Curley, Article written on Michael Wildes e. Change in Prison Could Mean Revenue For State Ebru News, Michael Wildes noted, February 8, 2011 5. Employment a. Changes in Employment i. Employment Changes and H-1Bs: Guiding Principles and Recent Developments Laurie Grossman, Published by, AILA 1999-2000 Immigration & Nationality Handbook, Vol. II b. H1b’s i. H-1B Site Visits and Form I-9 Audits: What You Should Know About These Latest Enforcement Trends by Michael Wildes, New Jersey Law Journal, April 12, 2010 ii. Better Opportunities by Dana Mattioli, The Wall Street Journal, Michael Wildes quoted c. I-9 Procedure and Compliance

i. The Truth about I-9 Compliance by Michael Wildes, Posting on HR.BLR.Com, Law360 ii. Top 5 Tips for I-9 Compliance by Michael Wildes, Posting on HR.BLR.Com, Restaurant Hospitality iii. What You Need to Know About Form I-9 by Michael Wildes, Human Resources Management, February 3, 2010 iv. Employers Beware!! Worksite Investigations Continue by Michael Wildes, The HR Alliance February 2011 Newsletter v. A New Remedy in ICE's Arsenal: Debarment by Michael Wildes, The Immigration Compliance Book, 2009-2010 Edition vi. What You Need to Know about Form I-9 by Michael Wildes vii. Protecting Your Restaurant From ICE- What You Should Know About Government Crack Downs on I-9s. Restaurants.com, RestaurantReport, article by Michael Wildes viii. Keeping the ICE Off Your Lines This Winter: What you should know about U.S. Immigration crack downs on I-9s by Michael Wildes, IMPO, November/December 2010 ix. Expert Provides top 5 quick tips for I-9 compliance by Michael Wildes, Human Resources x. Who‟s Working in Your Kitchen? QSRmagazine.com, Michael Wildes quoted xi. ICE investiga a restaurantes La Opiníon, Michael Wildes noted xii. Is Your Domestic Help Authorized to Work For You? (Lessons For Meg Whitman!) by Michael Wildes, OpEDNews.com xiii. U.S. Inspects firms in 17 Sectors for Illegal Workers By Lisa Baertlein and Jeremy Polofsky, Reuters, Michael Wildes Quoted, June 15, 2011 xiv. Immigration‟s Changing Landscape: What the New Immigration Laws Mean For Current Businesses and How to Chill an Audit By Michael Wildes, BNA Insights, July 28, 2011 d. Worker Migration i. Americans Running South: Why We are Flocking to Mexico for Work by Michael Wildes, Hispanic trending, Google groups, Facebook, Newsblaze.com, Newsgrupos.com,Topix ii. Viva Mexico! Why Americans are heading south for work. by Michael Wildes Forbes.com, November 30, 2009 e. Labor Certification and I-140 i. Mergers & Acquisitions Update by Karin Wolman, Published by PLI Course Handbook, 35th Annual Immigration & Naturalization Institute, October 2002 f. PERM i. The PERM Book: Regarding Recruitment Reports by Leon Wildes and David Lazaar, The Perm Book, 2008-2009 Edition, Published by ILW.com's Law Library 6. Special Renunciation Problems a. Expatriation: Overview and Special Renunciation Problems © 1999 Laurie Grossman and Leon Wildes Published by the American Immigration Lawyers Association, AILA 1999-2000 Immigration & Nationality Handbook, Vol. II 7. Mandamus a. Nuts & Bolts of Filing Mandamus Actions Before the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York co-authored by Thomas Vanasse. Published by the American Immigration Lawyers Association, NY AILA April 2008, Federal Courts Committee CLE Training 8. Deferred Departure a. Deferred Departure for Deportable Aliens Appearing in the Association of Immigration and Nationality Lawyers newsletter, September/October 1980 Article List Binder 2

9. Criminal Offenses and Immigration Consequences a. Padilla Case i. "Padilla" Highlights Immigration Consequences of Criminal Proceedings by Michael Wildes, New York Law Journal, January 26, 2010 ii. Providing Immigration Advice to Criminal Defendants after "Padillla" by Michael Wildes, New York Law Journal, July 2, 2010 b. Crime & Immigration Consequences - A Snapshot http://wildesweinberg.com/images/stories/document_archive/crimes_snapshot2004.pdf by Karin Wolman, Published by Immigration's New Age: Discovery, Adaptation, and Survival 7th Annual New York Chapter Immigration Law Symposium Handbook, December 2004 10. TPS & Asylum a. Temporary Protected Status for Haitians: not an amnesty card for illegal immigrants by Michael Wildes Opinion Column, The Christian Science Monitor, February 3, 2010 b. Haitians in the U.S. illegally get temporary stay from deportation Quoted Michael Wildes, pg 2, The Record, North Jersey.com c. Home-schoolers win asylum in U.S. Quoted Michael Wildes, pg 1-2, The Washington Times 11. Jewelry Industry a. H-1B and L-1 visas i. Due South: Navigating the Alphabet Soup of U.S. Visas by Michael Wildes, Jewelry Business: 's Jewelry Magazine, December 2010 Issue 12. Hotel Industry a. TN visa i. L-1 Visa: Transferring Employees From Overseas for Work in the U.S. by Michael Wildes, Hotel Business Review, hotelexecutive.com ii. How Your Hotel Can Benefit From The Free Trade Agreement by Michael Wildes, Posting on Hotel Business Review/HotelExecutive.com http://wildesweinberg.com/images/pdf/esta_article.pdf iii. Key Interviewing Tips in Hiring Foreign Workers in Your Hotel by Michael Wildes, Hotel Business Review, hotelexecutive.com iv. Leading Immigration Lawyer Joins Hotel Executive as Contributing Editor to the Hotel Business Review About Michael Wildes, Appointments & Promotions, hotelexecutive.com v. Holiday Travel to USA may bring pitfalls to the unwary traveler By Roxanne Levine, In New York, No. 7, 2010 13. Domestic Staff a. A-1, A-2, G, B-1 visas i. The Nonimmigrant Admission of Attendants, Domestics, and Personal Servants Laurie Grossman, Published by, AILA 2000-2001 Immigration & Nationality Handbook, Vol. II 14. LGBT Issues a. Strategies for Helping Same-Sex Partners Enter the U.S. Legally By Michael Wildes, Baltimore OUTloud b. A “View from the Trenches” with Englewood‟s Michael Wildes Interview with Michael Wildes, OutinJersey.net c. Helping Same-Sex Partners Enter The United States Legally By Michael Wildes, Focus on the Rainbow d. Hate crimes legislation: radical social policy or justice at last? Quoted Michael Wildes pg 3-4, Edge Publications, Entertainment::Culture e. Strategies for Helping Same-Sex Partners Enter the United States Legally By Michael Wildes, Echelon f. Immigration Lawyer Michael Wildes Talks About LGBT Rights and K-1 Visa Interview with Michael Wildes, Examiner.com 15. Entertainment & Media a. Sports i. Minding Your P‟s and O‟s: Navigating the World of Athlete Visas By Michael Wildes, Sports Destination Management, May/June 2011

ii. Sports Franchise Navigates Immigration Law to Bring International Superstar Pelé to the United States By Michael Wildes, Sports Litigation Alert iii. Former Englewood Mayor Wildes boosts Jewish boxer Salita Quoted Michael Wildes, New Jersey Jewish Standard iv. New Team Concept Allows Fans and Businesses to Power a Sprint Cup Team Quoting Michael Wildes, Real Clear Sports v. Is Tiger Running Away to ? Quoted Michael Wildes, yeeeah.com vi. Tiger Woods „Plans France Move‟ Quoted Michael Wildes, showbizspy.com vii. Is Tiger Woods Leaving the USA for France? Quoted Michael Wildes, popeater.com viii. Is Tiger Running Away to France? Quoted Michael Wildes, fafarazzi.com ix. Arizona Immigration Law Met by Silence from Major League Baseball By Bob Nightengale, USA Today, Michael Wildes Quoted, July 11, 2011 x. MLB Doesn‟t Take A Stand on Arizona Law By Kevin Baxter, LA Times, Michael Wildes Quoted, July 11, 2011 xi. Outrage of Baseball Players at the MLB All-Star Game Seems to Have Diminished By Any Martino, NY Daily News, Michael Wildes Quoted, April 30, 2010 b. Fashion & Modeling ix. Michael Wildes, un abogado que lucha por y para los inmigrantes, El Abogado de las estrellas se acercaa la comunidad Latina Interview with Michael Wildes, IMPACTO Latin News, Immigración, Jan. 26- Feb 1, 2011, with pictures x. Sightings Noting Michael Wildes, New York Post xi. We hear… Noting Michael Wildes, New York Post xii. Faking the Big “O”: Popular Visas in the Modeling Industry By Michael Wildes, SOMW-Secrets of the Modeling World, somwnewyork.com xiii. Tired of Waiting for Your U.S. Residency Papers? Try Becoming Miss Universe First Noting Michael Wildes, chicagonow.com xiv. Renowned Immigration Attorney Michael Wildes Secures Green Card Application for Quoted Michael Wildes, PR Newswire, prnewswire.com, including picture xv. Having Secured the Miss Universe Crown, Jimena Navarrete Goes for the Green [Card] Noting Michael Wildes, Lauramartinez.wordpress.com\ xvi. Immigration Attorney to the Stars Michael Wildes Secures Green Card for Miss Universe 2009 Press Release xvii. Immigration Attorney to the Stars Michael Wildes Secures Green Card for Miss Universe 2010 Press Release xviii. U.S. Visa Secured for Miss Universe 2010 of Mexico Noting Michael Wildes, Hispanictips.com xix. A Second Chance for the Garment Center By Michael Wildes, Fashion Mannuscript, March 2010 xx. Bettina May earns “genius” green card—for her unique burlesque, pin-up abilities Quoted Michael Wildes, The Daily News, September 2012 b. Music i. Time to say goodbye: Sarah Brightman leaves Britain to become a U.S. Citizen Quoted Michael Wildes, Telegraph.co.uk ii. Attorney to the Stars, Michael Wildes, Retained by Best-Selling Artist Sarah Brightman, Wildes Secures Green Card Approval for Brightman Noting Michael Wildes, PR Newswire, also Press release information and article hits, including picture

iii. Noted Immigration Attorney Michael Wildes Secures O Visa Classification for International Musician Craig David, Wildes & Weinberg P.C. Continues to Meet the Immigration Needs of International Superstars Quoted Michael Wildes, PR Newswire

Michael Wildes wins “Permanent Residnecy” for Musician Craig David, ZIMBIO c. Movies i. Did Russell Brand‟s Arrest Ruin His Green Card Chances? Quoting Michael Wildes, Celebuzz.com d. Media 16. Child Abduction a. Sean Goldman case highlights rising international child abduction Quoted Michael Wildes pg 3, The Christian Science Monitor 17. Family-Based Petitions a. Marriage & Marriage Fraud i. Vows for Visas, Bogus marriage scheme probed Quoting Michael Wildes, telegram.com 18. Foreign Media Articles a) Russian newspaper interview featuring Michael Wildes, Metro News b) Featured articles in Cambio, a local Spanish newspaper, New Jersey

Lawyer Tackles Toughest Immigration Cases 6/27/13 11:20 AM

SAFE HARBOR MASTER

LAWYER TACKLES TOUGHEST IMMIGRATION CASES

For most lawyers, wearing bulletproof vests is not standard procedure. Nor are travel arrangements made courtesy of the U.S. Capitol police.

Such measures, though, have become commonplace to attorney Michael Wildes, who has handled the immigration affairs of a suspected terrorist and a high-profile Saudi defector, and has negotiated the safe return of children kidnapped to foreign lands.

Wildes, a former special assistant U.S. attorney in New York and an Englewood councilman, is becoming well-known in the immigration community for handling the toughest, most complicated, and potentially dangerous cases in immigration law.

Above left, Leon Wildes, left, with “I think we send out a message to his son and law partner, Michael, people who would want to in . Michael Wildes has undermine the fundamental tenets of an intense interest in family our government when we put history and credits his ancestors ourselves out there and stand up for for who he is and what he has. what we believe in," said Wildes. "If I Top left his grandmother's were to stand down because of passport, and below, that of his threats they level, they win.” great-grandmother. Bottom left, a As an immigration attorney, he has family portrait taken just after made headlines by defending the 1900. right to asylum for a suspect in a Saudi bombing that killed 19 U.S. servicemen in 1996. And he represented a Pakistani who claimed to have knowledge of a 1998 nuclear attack on (it never occurred).

In September, the 34-year-old lawyer helped Petya Petrov, a Manhattan doctor, retrieve her three children from Syria, where they were allegedly being held unlawfully by her estranged husband, Viktor http://michaelwildes.org/LawyerTacklesToughestImmigrationCases.htm Page 1 of 4 Lawyer Tackles Toughest Immigration Cases 6/27/13 11:20 AM

Petrov.

And a few years ago, he became involved with a Saudi Arabian defector, who was being hunted by a terrorist party from his country.

Wildes, a boisterous, fast-talking Type-A personality who can seem pushy and caring at the same time, seems to be driven by the high- pressure cases his clients bring him. Always found with a phone at his ear (he owns two cellular phones), Wildes claims to sleep only three hours a night and is in his office at 5:30 a.m. each day.

“I'm impassioned on their behalf to see that justice is served,” said Wildes, a partner since 1996 at the Manhattan law Firm of Wildes & Weinberg, which was founded by his father, Leon Wildes.

It was this sense of justice that led him to help Petya Petrov, whose three children were kidnapped to Syria by her husband. Wildes helped her free of charge.

“I was very lucky to get to know Mr. Wildes,” said Petya Petrov. “It was the happiest thing when they returned.”

Petrov's husband, Viktor, took the children to Syria, leaving a note saying he was going to Great Adventure.

Viktor Petrov allegedly had his parents hold the children hostage in Syria while he returned to the United States, making demands that his wife let him manage all her income except $5 per day. He also insisted that she find him a job as a medical resident, and that she not make long distance phone calls, use the Internet, or meet friends, she said.

“She realized he was blackmailing her,” Wildes said. “Most people do not come back to the United States after they kidnap their kids.”

Wildes helped secure the children's return to their mother by negotiating with Syrian officials to obtain custody and worked to get their father charged in a complaint under the International Parental Kidnapping Act of 1993, which he helped to pass.

“This sends a very strong message that the government will prosecute these cases,” said Wildes.

Several years ago, Wildes helped to secure asylum for a former Saudi diplomat to the United Nations whose life was being threatened.

Mohammed Khilewi, who had been the No. 2 man at the Saudi Arabian Mission, was made the target of a terror squad that meant to kidnap him and return him to his native land.

Khilewi has made allegations that the Saudi government was planning to assassinate Washington diplomats and had bugged the offices of the Jewish Defense League.

Under protection of the Capitol Police and wearing flak jackets, Wildes and the former ambassador went to Washington, where they spoke with congressional leaders about Khilewi's need for asylum.

Asylum was granted, and more than 14,000 documents, that supported Khilewi's allegations were turned over to the FBI. His claims are under investigation.

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“I consider him a friend more than just a lawyer,” said Khilewi, who lives in a secure location and still travels under armed guard.

Although he has received accolades for his work on these and other similar cases, the notoriety does come with a price: His life has been threatened several times.

In some respects, danger is not new to Wildes new to Wildes, who spent 10 years as an auxiliary police officer for the New York City Police Department. He is licensed to carry a firearm in several states.

Wildes, who was born in Manhattan on Nov. 22, 1964, spent most of his life in queens, where he lived until 1995, before moving to Englewood.

In elementary school, he would go to his father's immigration law office and cut paper for use as scrap for the lawyers. As a reward, he was given a “big, fat law book” to read.

“I grew up always with immigration on my mind,” said Wildes, who was raised an Orthodox Jew.

It would have been difficult to think of much else.

Wildes' father, a world-renowned expert on immigration law, started his law practice more than 30 years ago and made his name by representing a very high profile client, John Lennon.

Lennon's problem was simple: U.S. law prevented him from becoming a citizen because he had a drug conviction in Great Britain.

Leon Wildes helped changed the law in the Lennon case, explaining that before Lennon, anyone with a drug conviction was ineligible to come into the United States and automatically deportable if discovered here.

Pictures of Leon Wildes and John Lennon on the courthouse steps hang on the firm's office walls and can be found in the brochures. Now, the younger Wildes represents Lennon's widow, .

“It's a source of pride for me that Michael … has followed in the practice in a way that only Michael could do,” said Leon Wildes. “I've always kept a very quiet profile. Even if I had high profile clients, I never capitalized on it or promoted myself or the practice. But Michael has attracted them and done well by them and truly enhanced the practice with his personality.”

Wildes' interests go beyond the immigration. As a member of the Englewood Council for the past year, he is also involved in local politics, and he volunteers for a Jewish ambulance squad in New York City- actually leaving clients in his office when is called out on an emergency.

His desire to help people is fueled by the knowledge of immigrants' struggles, in particular, those of his own family.

And Wildes' research into the difficulties his family faced when it came to the United States from Eastern Europe has made his daily work more meaningful.

“I see hundreds of passports come across my desk throughout the course of the year,” Wildes said. “I have a very heightened sense when I review these passports. I'm reminded that my grandfather, for all his contributions to business in , was regarded only as a Jew in the country.”

Wildes has been collecting information about his ancestors and has put together books for

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family members that include photocopies of his ancestors' immigration papers, passports, correspondences, and even family recipes.

The passports of his grandparents are marked with a “J” to identify them as Jewish. And just in case the J was removed, all male passports were marked with the name “Abraham” while female passports had the name “Sara.”

Wildes said he is fascinated to learn all he can about his grandparents and great- grandparents, whom he never knew.

Back Home

Paid for by Friends of Michael J. Wildes, Claudia Colbert, Treasurer

http://michaelwildes.org/LawyerTacklesToughestImmigrationCases.htm Page 4 of 4 POLITICS s e d

l BY ALIZA DAVIDOVIT i W . J l e a h c

i emocratic Mayor and high profile immigration M f

o attorney Michael J. Wildes serves in deference to y s e t

r the woman with the biggest mouth in America. u o

c D It’s not Rosie O’Donnell, Hillary Clinton, or even a Jewish o t o h

P mother-in-law. It’s a woman whose mouth is three-feet wide and yet has never uttered a single word. For over a century she has stood as a silent witness to the historic inflow of America’s greatest treasures—its people and their burgeoning dreams. She is Lady Liberty and her symbolic message is loud: “We will not forget that liberty here made her home.” But in the depths of her silence is where Michael Wildes finds his convictions and his voice and makes them heard. As the grandson of Holocaust survivors who immigrated through Ellis Island, he recognizes that even the immutable rights of freedom and liberty need a vocal advocate. And at personal risk, he has taken on deeply controversial cases, often pro bono, and has dared to ring the freedom bell. Wildes, who is an Orthodox Jew, is now serving his second term as mayor of Englewood, New Jersey, one of the Garden State’s most affluent municipalities. He is a man who has reckoned with both his past and future and has full appreciation and respect for his traditions and background as well as for his duty and responsibility for the next generation of his family, the next generation of Americans, and the next generation of Jews. The 42- year-old father of four says it is very important to him that his children, more than anyone else, are proud of him. To maintain that pride he knows he must lead by example. “In the accumula- tion of life experiences, it is MICHAEL J. WILDES not what you say that’s important,” Wildes empha- leading by example sizes, “It is about what you do.” Wildes himself was raised in a home where self- development was ardently stressed, but selflessness, chari- table behavior, and communal outreach were the raison d’etre. In line with the Judaic teaching of tikkun olam, fixing the world, his younger brother, Mark, became a rabbi and he a public official. Trained as both a lawyer and a rabbi, Mark established Manhattan Jewish Experience, a trendy outreach organization, in memory of their mother. MJE has succeeded in bringing thousands of unaffiliated Jews in their 20s and 30s back to their Jewish heritage and now has three Manhattan locations.

lifestylesmagazine.com 19 POLITICS

As for Wildes, he says that being tells Lifestyles. “It was hard to keep up mayor has made him a better Jew and R with him; we thought maybe he that being an Orthodox Jew has made Wildes, born and raised in Queens, wanted to be in the FBI.” him a better mayor. Although there are New York, started reading voraciously Wildes quickly realized that oppor- no sharp political skills needed for cere- from a very young age. He was tunities have a limited shelf life and monial ribbon cuttings (only sharp scis- attracted to mysteries, intrigue, and thus committed himself from an early sors), the sensitivity and sensibilities of problem solving—never getting age to achieving his goals and differen- the Jewish traditions provide a tremen- enough of the Hardy Boys or other tiating himself from his peers. By 18, dous resource for a mayor who is often mind teasing tales. Very often, after offi- Wildes was already interning on the Hill called upon to comfort families, cial bedtime, he would read by flash- with Congresswoman firemen, congregants, and constituents light for hours under his blanket, only and Congressman Gary Ackerman. But in times of tragedy and loss. Often to be outed in the morning when he by that point he already had a depth of those visits have to be made on a was found fast asleep with an open understanding about life that would Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, when book on his face. He was always curious put all his future ambitions in true per- driving is prohibited. He is thus often spective. Four years prior, at the age of

seen walking for miles s 14, he began volun- e d l i

and miles to reach the W teering for a local . J l homes or hearts of con- e , the a h c stituents who seek his i Jewish burial society M f o support. Seeing that y responsible for washing s e t r

Englewood is 4.92 u and preparing the o c o square miles, Wildes says t bodies of the dead o h that in the line of duty, P according to Judaic law. he has definitely worn He continues to volun- out a pair of Florsheims teer to this day. When or two. Wildes’ own mother, With a political and Ruth, died of breast personal agenda to cancer in 1995, it was change the world, even Englewood’s First Family: (l-r) Joshua Wildes, Lauren Wildes, Wildes who placed the Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes with his youngest, Jaclyn Wildes, if he has to reach that Englewood’s First Lady Amy Wildes, and Raquel Wildes. clay on her ever-shining goal by foot, it is not a blue eyes prior to her surprise that Wildes’ favorite movie is and questioning. burial. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, a film As a youngster, Wildes wanted to Thus, today, when this New Jersey that famously depicts how one indi- be a police officer and would finger- mayor is blamed for wearing his ambi- vidual can make a meaningful differ- print all his friends and relatives. tion on his sleeve, he is not miffed or ence. And though D.C. is a far walk (Officer Mike eventually did work as an deterred. Indeed, he confesses that he from New Jersey, many feel the ambi- auxiliary police officer for the NYPD is driven to reach his meaningful goals. tious mayor is sprinting full speed from 1982-92, wearing his yarmulke all With firsthand knowledge he reminds ahead to the nation’s capital. Although the while.) But then he moved on from that shrouds have no pockets. “All one he did drop his recent challenge to run fingerprinting to making plaster casts of really has is the good he leaves for state senate at the behest of footprints. (Today, the footprints he’d behind.” Governor Corzine, those close to him like to follow in are that of his mentor And Wildes himself has a lot of and in the know have already nick- and friend, Joseph Lieberman, the good he still wants to do. “The minute named him “Senator.” The Democratic Connecticut senator who’s been coined you stop wanting to do something Leadership Council has listed him on the “conscience of the senate.”) It higher, you start going in reverse.” And the “100 to Watch” list which profiles didn’t take long for Wildes’ reading to as if being a father, a husband, a 100 New Democrat leaders around the mature from children’s books to news- member of many boards, a lawyer and country who are on the quick rise. Even papers. He wanted to learn more and mayor is not enough, Wildes is also a Senator Ted Kennedy says that he has more about everything, but especially certified emergency medical technician “high expectations” Wildes will soon government and how it worked. “It and will go out on Hatzolah calls (an join him in Washington. was one thing after another,” his father emergency medical service that serves lifestylesmagazine.com 20 POLITICS

Jewish neighborhoods) in the middle of years, working as a federal prosecutor young child, Wildes would carry around the night. “I love my life,” Wildes says, on cases dealing with immigration and a briefcase so he could be just like his “but I am not happy unless I've deliv- naturalization, the FBI, the Internal father. He’d then be given a big law ered something to somebody every Revenue Service, and an extensive book to read for being a good boy— day.” range of other legal issues. and he’d read it. The adoring son, who `In 1993, Wildes joined his father’s pres- is so accomplished in his own right, R tigious law firm, Wildes & Weinberg, says that if he could be anyone else for Working on the Hill, assisting in legisla- perhaps the United States’ premier law a single day, there is no one he would tive research and attending congres- firm concentrating on the immigration rather be than Leon Wildes. “Spending sional sessions as a teenager, further and naturalization field. The firm, which time with my father is one of the spurred his interest in the political consists of 14 attorneys and has a staff greatest gifts of my life,” Wildes says, process and how it shapes the country. of 40, represents both individuals as aching only that his beloved mother is “I was fascinated with American history well as corporations. The firm partici- not by his side as well. and how it facilitated But when Wildes joined

s the team at Wildes &

dreams,” he says. He also e d l i felt that it was his duty as W Weinberg, he didn’t platform . J l

e himself as being the boss’s the grandson of Holocaust a h c i son. He brought with him not survivors and as a Jew to M f o

y only his experience, but the have a voice at the prover- s e t r

u ever-burning fire inside to

bial political table. His course o c o

t make a difference and to had been set. Wildes began o h to get involved in local New P make every moment count. York politics. In 1986, he He has substantially con- graduated magna cum tributed to the success of the laude from Queens College, firm and has brought in very receiving honors in political high-profile cases, continually science. He made the dean’s making headlines in list and was elected to Pi defending the rights of Mayor Michael Wildes with New Jersey Governor Sigma Alpha, a national freedom and liberty. He has Jon Corzine at Liberty Park in New Jersey. political science honor helped on cases involving the society. In 1989, he graduated from pated in efforts to liberalize the immi- surviving spouses of 9/11 victims, some Benjamin Cardozo School of Law, gration laws to permit even broader of whom lost their status when their where his father, Leon Wildes, a U.S. immigration and was sought out partners were killed. Wildes helped renowned immigration attorney, was by major banks and industrial concerns clients like these win the right to stay in an adjunct professor. He met his ever- to represent them in their efforts to the U.S. gracious and beautiful wife, Amy, who secure needed personnel from abroad. Wildes also made headlines by is also a lawyer, in his father’s class. Wildes’ father, the founder of the firm, securing the cooperation of an accused Although Wildes got an “A+” and Amy serves as senior partner and is best terrorist who was implicated in the got an “A”, the pluses outweighed the known for his successful representation Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi minuses and the entire class clapped of former Beatle John Lennon and his Arabia—an atrocity in which 19 U.S. when Professor Wildes announced their wife, Yoko Ono, in deportation pro- servicemen lost their lives. Under pro- engagement. “It was love at first ceedings spanning a five-year period. tection of the Capitol Police and glance,” Wildes says. And they have New York magazine has listed Leon wearing a flak jacket, Wildes went to been together for 17 years. The Elvis- Wildes as a “Best Lawyer in America” in Washington to speak with congres- loving mayor says, “My wife rocks.” immigration law for two years in a row. sional leaders about Saudi Arabian After graduation, Wildes began Wildes has personally listed his dad diplomat Mohammed Al-Khilewi’s need working as a special assistant U.S. as “best father in America” for 42 years for asylum after defecting and walking attorney at the United States Attorney’s in a row. He has idolized him since off with incriminating evidence of inter- Office for the Eastern District of New childhood and says that working with national terrorism and espionage. The York. He stayed there for nearly four his father is extremely meaningful. As a diplomat made allegations that the

lifestylesmagazine.com 21 POLITICS

Saudi government was planning to recognition of his own personal talents forgot to pick up the trousers and left assassinate Washington diplomats and and expertise in U.S. immigration law. an ever-chilling Wildes waiting for an had bugged the offices of the Jewish hour. As he reflects on the incident, Defense League. Wildes prevailed and R Wildes says it’s too bad that there were Khilewi was granted asylum. Wildes also Wildes’ ornate law office on Madison no cell phones in those days. (Perhaps represented Kwame James, who sub- Avenue gives honest testimony to the with just a few more hours to think in dued “shoe bomber” Richard Reid, success he has achieved. There is barely the lavatory, Wildes could have saving 197 passengers and crew mem- a spare inch on his walls, covered as invented the cell phone while miles bers on American Airlines Flight 63 but they are with distinguished plaques and away in some other toilet Al Gore was who was nonetheless going to be honors as well as photos of Wildes with inventing the Internet.) But today there deported because his visa had expired. extremely high-profile individuals, are mobile phones and the agile- He also helped a Manhattan doctor ranging from U.S. presidents, prime tongued Wildes has four of them. Yes, retrieve her three children from Syria, ministers, rock stars, fashion models, and he certainly talks a lot, but that’s where they were allegedly because he has much to say

being held unlawfully by her s and many to say it to. He e d l i

estranged husband. These W gives voice and hope to the . J l are but a few cases among e unempowered, he communi- a h c Wildes’ relentless initiatives i cates counsel and expertise to M f o

to do good and to be good. y his clients, he articulates his s e t r

As a result, Wildes has u vision to his constituents and o c o become internationally t countrymen, he gives sound o h renowned and is frequently P to the goals of the called upon by network Democratic party, he speaks news to offer insight and wisdom and love to his family expertise on crucial legal and friends, he echoes ancient matters affecting the global prayers to his God, he community, from terrorism defends his Jewish homeland, to the Patriot Act. Wildes welcomed U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy to his law offices and he protests loudly against As for his political inter- in Manhattan for a NORPAC-sponsored fundraiser to assist the injustice. Reared in a tribe that ests, Wildes began his Senator's re-election in 2006. suffered because of apathetic elected career as an Englewood coun- Nobel laureates. And if one is to literally silence, Wildes insists on being heard. cilman in 1999. He was re-elected in read the writing on his wall, then it’s He’s not worried about his mobile 2002, and was then elected mayor in obvious that his ambitions are revving. calling plan, just about his calling. 2004 and 2006. He was sworn in by If he had to free up some wall In his heart resonates the ever-pre- New Jersey senator space for the next meaningful and sent voice of his departed mother who with one hand raised up in oath to his important picture, it will likely be one of taught him that it’s more important to office and the other hand resting on his him being sworn in as a senator—again be a mensch than to be a mayor, to grandfather’s chumash, a holy book with one hand raised and the other on have inner strength instead of pomp which, unlike six million Jews, survived his grandfather’s chumash. In fact, and power, to live by example rather Nazi persecution. Wildes already has all it takes to be a than to preach in default, and to nur- In addition to his ability to help senator, for he’s already been caught ture the roots rather than to polish the himself, many leading Democrats, with his pants down. The only twist is fruit. And it is by those guiding princi- including Edward Kennedy, Hillary that his off-with-the-pants saga is more ples that Wildes leads his life. “One day Clinton, Joseph Lieberman, Nancy breezy than hot. Among the most I know I’ll be the former something, Pelossi, and John Kerry have recognized embarrassing moments of his life is former mayor, former senator, a former and appreciated his fundraising when he split his pants while at work something,” Michael Wildes says realis- prowess. Michael takes pride in being and sent his associate off to the tailor to tically. But with steadfast values he will appointed recently by New Jersey get them fixed while he waited in the make certain the day never comes Governor Corzine to a Blue Ribbon bathroom. Unfortunately, lunch when he’ll be the former Michael State Panel on Immigration Policy—a became a priority and his co-worker Wildes. lifestyles

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