J.J. Despain, a managing attorney at Wilner & O’Reilly in Boise, holds admission to the Colorado State Bar, with an intense focus predominantly in family-based and employment-based immigration law. With a wealth of experience, J.J. has represented clients in over 100 interviews with USCIS and actively engages with communities in Utah and Idaho, addressing immigration law issues and informing potential clients about available possibilities.
J.J.'s academic journey began at Brigham Young University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an emphasis in print journalism. During his time at BYU, he served in various editorial roles for the campus newspaper, The Daily Universe, including opinions editor, sports editor, and web editor. J.J. also earned minors in Spanish and political science. Following his undergraduate studies, he pursued law at the University of Iowa College of Law.
In Iowa, J.J. made significant contributions as the president of the student chapter of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society, a managing editor of the Iowa Law Review, and a judicial clerk for the Honorable Stephanie M. Rose of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. He actively participated in organizations like the Latino Law Students Association and Sports Law Society.
J.J. has a diverse professional background, having worked with Catholic Charities of Central Texas in Austin, where he led the office's DACA renewal process and assisted with U-visas and I-601A waivers. His experience also includes collaborating with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid on housing dispute cases. In Iowa City, J.J. contributed to Know Your Rights seminars for the local immigrant community and the Iowa Legal Aid Pro Bono Project while working with Cole & Vondra, PC.
Outside his legal endeavors, J.J. finds joy in spending time with his wife and four children, exploring the Idaho outdoors, drawing, and watching sports, particularly BYU. He and his family call Boise home.
In the realm of academia and legal publications, J.J. has contributed to the field with published works such as "H-1B Visa Program" in Riverside Lawyer (Oct. 2018), Vol. 68, No. 9, and "From Off the Bench: The Potential Role of the U.S. Department of Education in Reforming Due Process in the NCAA," published in the 100 Iowa L. Rev. 1285 (2015), Vol. 100, Issue 3, 2015.
Recognizing his commitment to service, J.J. has received the Boyd Service Award with Highest Honors from the Pro Bono Society in 2015 and has been actively engaged in pro bono activities, including contributions to Texas RioGrande Legal Aid in 2014 and the Iowa Legal Aid Pro Bono Project from 2012 to 2013.
In his professional journey, J.J. has held various positions, including a legal intern role at Catholic Charities of Central Texas in 2014, a judicial externship at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa in the same year, and research assistant positions at the University of Iowa College of Law from 2013 to 2014. He also served as a legal intern at the University of Iowa Athletics Department Compliance Office in 2013 and held reporting and editorial positions at The Daily Herald and The Daily Universe from 2010 to 2011.
J.J. remains actively involved in professional associations and memberships, including the American Immigration Lawyers Association since 2017. He is a member of the Colorado Bar Association since 2016 and serves on the Executive Council for the Immigration Law Section from 2020 to the present. His earlier involvement includes serving as the Student Chapter President of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society from 2013 to 2015 and being a member of the Latino Law Students Association during the same period.
