We were lucky to catch up with Sumaiya Khalique recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sumaiya, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of our favorite things to hear about is stories around the nicest thing someone has done for someone else – what’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?

There are so many people who have been kind to me, but there is one person who I will always remember, as the person who set me on the path to achieve my dreams.

During the summer between junior and senior year of high school, I took a summer literature class at a college with this Professor, who had a passion for Shakespeare and theater. Once school started again, I took the SATS so I could apply for college. My SAT score was lower than what I needed to go into the colleges I wanted to attend. I was an “A” student and I was devastated. As a high school student, I couldn’t afford a prep class, and I didn’t want to ask my parents. I felt like I hit a wall that I didn’t know how to break down. I was the first woman in my family thinking about attending college in the U.S., and I had big dreams of attending these prestigious colleges that no one else in my community at that time was considering. I just knew that I wanted more from my life but I didn’t have the resources to figure out how to overcome this.

This professor learned about my situation and offered to tutor me for the SATs. Over weekends and after school, we met at the library, where he guided me through practice tests, taught me Greek and Latin roots to expand my vocabulary, and timed me on sample questions. He gave me books to create, gave me flashcards, that I studied everywhere—on the train, at the dinner table, and even while waiting to cross the street.

This professor didn’t have to do any of this, and his kindness left me deeply moved. His guidance had a profound impact on my life. With his help, I significantly improved my SAT score, high enough to gain admission to an Ivy League university and several other top colleges, essentially all the colleges I applied to. Attending the college I chose laid the foundation for the opportunities and resources that shaped my future. More than just helping me achieve a higher score, this professor instilled in me the confidence to dream big and believe in myself. He also taught me the value of mentorship and giving back to others. His kindness not only changed the trajectory of my life but also inspired me to pay it forward, helping others as he helped me.

Sumaiya, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Sumaiya, an immigration attorney and the founder of Khalique Law PLLC. My journey into immigration law stems from a deep passion for connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and a commitment to guiding individuals through the complexities of the immigration legal system.

When I started law school, I envisioned a career in criminal law. I pursued internships in criminal law in the U.S. and even Australia, but something felt missing. In my final semester, I was set to join the Criminal Justice Clinic, but a last-minute decision led me to the Immigration Clinic instead. That decision changed everything. Through the Immigration Clinic, I discovered the missing piece was the connection with people – the profound impact of working directly with individuals from varied backgrounds. As a first-generation immigrant, I understand the challenges and opportunities that come with immigration firsthand. My Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, my education, personal experiences, love for different cultures, and passion for advocacy all came together to lead me to immigration law. At Khalique Law PLLC, I empower individuals, families, and professionals seeking new beginnings, stability, or opportunities to fulfill their dreams in the United States.

Khalique Law PLLC is a full service immigration law firm providing services in family-based immigration, employment-based visas, asylum applications, deportation defense, and naturalization. We have a particular focus on extraordinary ability visas (O-1 visas), helping highly accomplished individuals who stand out in their industries.

At Khalique Law PLLC, our approach is rooted in compassion, effectiveness, and innovation. We understand that each client’s situation is unique, and we tailor legal strategies to their specific needs. Our mission is to simplify the immigration process, reduce stress, and provide unwavering support, ensuring every client feels valued and confident in our dedication to building the strongest possible case.

Our diverse clientele spans the globe, and we are proud to help individuals and families achieve their goals—whether it’s reuniting with loved ones, securing safety, or advancing their careers. What sets us apart is our personalized, client-centered approach. We listen closely, understand our clients’ stories, and provide legal information and guidance that empowers them to make informed decisions in their legal matter. Once someone becomes a client, they become part of the Khalique Law family. We are deeply invested in their case and helping them with their immigration journey. The impact of our work is deeply rewarding—helping families reunite, professionals achieve their dreams, and individuals find safety and belonging. Witnessing the joy and relief of a successful outcome fuels my passion for immigration law and motivates me to keep making a difference.

Beyond client representation, I am honored to share my expertise as a guest lecturer at institutions like Hofstra University School of Law, Hunter College, and CUNY Law School, as well as at community events. These opportunities allow me to advocate for greater understanding of immigration issues while fostering a firm culture rooted in integrity, empathy, and growth.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Managing a team and maintaining high morale is just as important as bringing in the revenue as the CEO of a small business. If your team does not enjoy coming into work or feel motivated to do the work, the business will be limited in its growth. The people in your team can define how successful your business can be.

It’s important to have consistent bonding and check-ins with your team, whether it is through weekly or bi-weekly meetings. Additionally, through our team feedback, we learned that it was important to provide the opportunity for one-on-one meetings that are actually implemented consistently, whether it’s once a month or every quarter. As soon as we began to implement the team meetings and the one-on-one meetings, I saw an tremendous boost in team morale.

I also recommend providing KPIs and evaluations for the team to self-evaluate. These self assessment tools will guide the team in performing their responsibilities, and allow them to give feedback on how to increase efficiency, and quality of work, through improvement of systems and processes or a need for any additional resources.

Additionally, it’s important to share your vision of the business with your team and explain to them your objectives, and invite them to be part of something greater. This helps the team to know why their job responsibilities are so important to the business and how they as unique individuals provide value to the company.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The most reliable source of new and high-quality clients has consistently been our existing clients. High-quality clients are those who trust the caliber of our work, are ready to hire us, become repeat clients, and are a pleasure to collaborate with. By delivering the best possible results, showing compassion, being attentive, and fostering relationships built on trust, honesty, and comfort, clients not only remain loyal but also refer others who value those same qualities.

Referrals from trusted clients carry more weight than any other form of marketing, as people value and act on recommendations from those they trust. This makes client referrals an invaluable asset, leading to stronger relationships and higher lead conversion than traditional marketing efforts.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://khaliquelaw.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khaliquelaw/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/khaliquelaw/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumaiya-khalique/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeS2HcvPx1L8I4OQvWx4SJA
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/16yPwQVFf7cK7UQjWriV3U?si=gEMUZ1ZhRXyz8mogB1PyUA&dl_branch=1&nd=1&dlsi=21e96a1a3bb9481a