Can a Startup Founder Get an O-1 Visa?
Yes, founders can qualify for the O-1 — but the self-sponsorship problem requires an agent or a properly structured company petitioner.
S. Selman Kilic
Associate Attorney
S. Selman Kilic earned his LL.M. from the University of Minnesota Law School and holds a Bachelor of Laws from Galatasaray University, one of Turkey’s most prestigious institutions. Before joining Capitol Law Partners, Mr. Kilic gained experience at Doyle & Broumand LLP in New York, where he focused on civil litigation and real estate transactions.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Kilic practiced at Turkekul Law Firm in Istanbul, advising corporate clients on a wide range of legal issues including commercial agreements, data privacy compliance, intellectual property, and technology licensing.
Mr. Kilic has a strong interest in financial institutions, corporate governance, and the legal challenges facing e-commerce and digital platforms. He is fluent in Turkish, English, and French, leveraging his multilingual skills and cross-border experience to serve the firm’s diverse international client base with precision and cultural awareness.
Education
University of Minnesota Law School
(2024) – LL.M.
Galatasaray University Faculty of Law
(2016) – LL.B.
Bar Admissions
New York Bar
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