We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tremaine Hemans. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tremaine below.
Tremaine, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Please tell us about starting your own firm and if you’d do anything different knowing what you know now.
I decided to start my own law firm during “the great resignation” during the pandemic. Many people became disenchanted with conditions provided their employers and i was no different. I also think I have always danced to the beat of my own drum so to speak, so I was always meant to be my own boss. God provided conditions that made me uncomfortable with working for someone else so I decided to branch out on my own.
The first step I took was to speak to several of my mentors who have either owned their own practices in the past or presently own their practice. All but one told be absolutely go for it. I delved into the resources provided by the Florida Bar and the American Immigration Lawyers Association( AILA) to learn what I needed to do. Then I enlisted my colleagues who practiced in the areas I needed, to incorporate my business and get started.
The beauty of being an attorney is the freedom it provides. Once you can get past your mind and the naysayers, you realize that you have the tools to run your own practice if you have the knowledge, organization skills, and the charisma (you have to sell yourself and have people skills to be honest).
The key challenges I faced was mainly the fact that law school does not prepare you for opening your own firm. At all. Many attorneys I have spoken to say the same thing. We are taught legal theories and how to litigate (if it is a great school like mine) but you are not taught the specifics of how to open a practice. However, that’s not an excuse to not make it happen, so I did. This is what I wanted- the freedom, so I had to learn on my feet. The second biggest challenge was the imposter syndrome. As a first generation attorney and a black female attorney, of which there is roughly 2% in the entire United States, you mind can be your greatest adversary. I have to constantly remind myself that I am capable of doing this!
My advise to any young lawyer thinking about going out on their own is to do their research and NETWORK! I do think it was a bit easier for me to start because I knew a lot of attorneys in the South Florida community and I have some great mentors who are willing to assist me in whatever I need.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I have been passionate about immigration law since I set foot into this country as an immigrant myself in 2007. Where it took most 7 years to become an attorney it took me 13 because I had to navigate my immigration status while pursuing my passion. While attending FIU Law School in Miami, I interned with The Department of Homeland Security to “see behind the curtain” as well as several immigration law firms in and around South Florida. I also served as a Student Attorney at the FIU Law immigration Clinic and won my very first case while still in school.
After school I took this experience to work at a large immigration law firm in Miami Florida where I gained invaluable experience in Family immigration and Deportation proceedings. In May 2021 I decided to take what I had learned and start my own practice. In 2022, I realized that there are many immigrants who, because of their immigration status, are afraid to seek damages when they are hurt in a car accident or slip and fall and I decided to expand my practice to assist those clients as well. We have been very successful in both areas so far and I am blessed to have a great team of support staff who makes our mission a reality.
The thing I am most proud of is that I was born and raised in rural Moneague St. Ann, Jamaica. a tiny town in a tiny country and my first love- I go home VERY often. I think the resilience of a Jamaican carries its own reputation and I am no different. I have worked very hard and overcome more obstacles than i can count or recall in this one sitting but by the grace of God I am here. As an immigrant I remember the jokes like “you have more jobs than a Jamaican” which is true because one thing about us, we are going to make it happen! I carry that resilient air with me in every case I take on. my clients know that I walked the same journey they did and I know that sets me apart. I also know that our accent is very distinct and I am very proud of that as well. I watch my clients’ faces relax when they hear their accent leaving the mouth of their attorney and it makes a difference. Some of my most watched videos on my tik tok page are done in our beautiful eclectic dialect and my people love it!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn the limitations I placed on myself and those that society thrust upon me because of my circumstances. I am a firm believer that your story should be celebrated and can be used to elevate others, but it cannot be your crutch. I always tell my mentees that where you start does not dictate how far you will go and the grit you learned from those experiences can only make you a better lawyer.
I learned that there is power in the word “no.” Before attending law school I had been asked if I was sure this is what I wanted to do; told to “aim a little lower”; “do something else,” or plain laughed when I repeated what I’d like to do. I started with an LSAT score on the lower end of the scale and was rejected and ignored by many schools. However, I was accepted by one of the best schools in Florida-FIU College of Law and made a name for myself while there. In law school I was told that based on my grades and test scores I was unlikely to pass the Florida Bar exam. I passed on my very first try and have been very successful as a practicing attorney so far.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
As my mother in law always says, “someone is always watching.” I am very passionate about providing mentorship opportunities to young black law school hopefuls and I do a lot of pro bono work in my community. I am very grateful that I have been recognized for my efforts through most recently, Super Lawyers; the Florida Bar; my alma mater Broward College; and others. Social media has also been very instrumental for me. I use my platform to educate my community about Immigration and Personal Injury law and I have developed a strong following and referral basis from this.
As the bible says Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. I strive to do that every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hemanslaw.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legallytrem/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HemansLaw/
- Linkedin: The Hemans Law Group, P.A/ Tremaine Hemans, Esq.
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/legallytrem
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvQeEH2Ra_s
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/hemanslaw/?hl=en
Image Credits
Davion Forbes Photography Athena House Visuals HooDesigns Alphonso Elm Visuals