We recently had the chance to connect with Tremaine L. Hemans Esq. and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Tremaine L., we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
A strong sense of self.
The more successful you become; the more people try to tell you who you are or amplify their perception of you. It is up to you to REMIND yourself of who you are and who God says you are constantly. I have spent a long time building this, mostly to combat the crippling imposter syndrome I felt every time I got to a new stage in climbing the proverbial ladder in my career.
That has been tested to its limits this year and I am still standing. I am very proud of that.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I have wanted to be an attorney since I was a child, but when I migrated to the United States as an international student and was thrust into the world of U.S. immigration laws and exposed to its inequities, I became very passionate about making a difference in the field.
I am the founder and managing attorney of The Hemans Law Group, P.A. We are an immigration law firm based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but representing clients in all 50 states and around the world. We focus on family-based immigration law. Particularly complexed issues such as defense of domestic violence survivors and erroneous fraudulent findings by the U.S. immigration governmental agencies.
What sets us apart is our commitment to community service including providing scholarships to needy students at various educational levels since our inception; and free consultation drives and community town halls to educate the community of their immigration rights. Also, our thorough curation of evidence to support a client’s story. Each case is given customized, detailed attention which lends to our high success rate.
What I am most proud of about my brand is that I have not compromised the quality of work I demand from myself and my team in order to best serve our clients. I wanted to create a safe space where every client is a name and not a number or dollar sign, and that is what I have created. I treat each case as though I am helping the young woman I was who needed the guidance and expertise I did not have at the time I was going through my immigration journey.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
That I was unworthy.
Last year, I read The Mountain is You and “The 4 agreements.” These books completely changed my perspective on life.
“You must release your old self into the fire of your vision and be willing to think in a way you have never even tried before. You must mourn the loss of your younger self, the person who has gotten you this far but who is no longer equipped to carry you onward.” -The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest.
“Nothing others do is because of you.”-The four agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.
I challenged myself to think, what would my life look like if I released what the world has told me that I am and channel what God says I am and who I know I am. The result has led to an epiphany that even before I read the books, I was doing just that without having the language and courage to fully go for it.
I completely transformed my life based on these two tenets and I try to dig deeper based on them every day.
Not believing you are worthy of the things you desire and dream of is the death of you reaching your full potential. I am a working progress, but I have battled imposter syndrome my whole life and it was not until I learned that my new self will cost me my old self and that I had to push past the discomfort of growth that I was able to create the life I wanted.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
As recently as this year.
Challenges come and go and every new height on the ladder of achievement comes with challenges you have not faced before. This year has forced me to release the requirement of perfection from myself and to not put so much importance on pleasing others because in the end the most important person you can disappoint is yourself. I have reached a point in my career beyond what I even conceived for myself. Therefore, I could not predict the issues I would face or even begin to create solutions without asking for help.
Many people tried to tell me who I am this year. My mother reminded me to focus on my work which is exactly what I did. People will dislike you no matter what you do. All I can control is what I think of myself and continue to act in a way that honors God and myself.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Definitely. I built my brand on authenticity.
I think many people are not used to seeing someone in my field as a whole person. We as attorneys always have this negative connotation around us. I believe God has blessed me to be a blessing, and sometimes that means being open even when I do not want to be. I share my vulnerabilities, what worries me, the hours we work, the mental toll it takes on us and our families. All of it. The rate of suicide and substance abuse is very high in lawyers because we make a career of taking on the problems of others, and it is often a very thankless job. For those in my field and other humanitarian fields of law, this rings even more true. As an immigration lawyer right now in today’s climate, you really have to hold on to your “why” and your passion to be able to weather the current storm.
So, no matter how hard the days get, I always show up in whatever capacity I am able that day, and I share my experiences to not only give a different perspective on myself and my colleagues, but to encourage other lawyers and law students to show them that they are not alone.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Yes, I am doing exactly what I was born to do in this season. Of that, I am sure.
There have been so many obstacles that I have overcome to be where I am that I am often told I should write a book.
There have been so many times I have been sure that only God could be carrying me through this challenge and when I emerge victorious it just affirms that I am doing exactly what I should be doing.
I often tell people that not even I could stop God’s plan for me. If I want to give up, He provides a mentor, colleague, or friend to help me see my way out so I can continue to live this Purpose driven life. Opportunities continue to find me to support my purpose, even when I am not seeking them. That tells me that God and the universe have ordained this path.
Plus, I happen to be really good at my job!
I am grateful for that every day. I know when I get up and get dressed, I am doing exactly what God ordained.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hemanslaw.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hemanslaw/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehemanslawgroup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HemansLaw/
