Founder Holman Immigration Law 110 Main Street, Suite 3B, Burlington, VT 05401 Tel: 802-860-3333 | Fax: 802-860-3337 www.holmanimmigration.com Corporate Immigration Lawyer of the Year 19 www.lawyer-monthly.com Lawyer Monthly Women in Law Awards 2024 Leslie A. Holman As the leader of Holman Immigration Law, could you share what inspired you to specialize in Immigration and Nationality Law? I did not set out to become an immigration lawyer. In fact, when I graduated from law school, I was uncertain about what I wanted to do with my degree. It was the late 1980s and I, like many others, was lured to Wall Street and recruited for, among other things, corporate transactional work. While I found it interesting, it did not “move” me. Ironically, what moved me most was dance. I have danced for more than half my life, and despite my grueling work schedule as a young lawyer, I still found time to attend dance and/or drum classes three times a week. My chosen form of dance is West African and at dance classes dancers and drummers would ask me questions about their immigration status. They saw me as a resource because in addition to being a dancer and lawyer, I also spoke French. The problem was that I didn’t know immigration law. I referred them to those who did, however, they continued to come to me with questions and/or requests to clarify what their lawyer had said. In trying to explain to them what they had been provided I quickly realized that the complexity and rigidity of immigration made it almost impossible for people to navigate the system, even when they had help, let alone if they did not have counsel. I also saw the desperation of many as I learned their stories. I realized that I stayed up late to help not because I had to In this discerning interview, Leslie A. Holman, founder and leader of Holman Immigration Law, shares her journey into Immigration and Nationality Law. She reflects on the path that led her to specialize in this complex field, driven by a passion that emerged organically through her social interactions and her passion for dancing. Leslie candidly discusses the challenges she has faced as a woman in law and how she navigates the emotional aspects of her work while maintaining a high level of professional effectiveness. With a practice spanning both family and corporate immigration, Leslie offers valuable insights into the rewarding impact of her work, particularly in uniting people and promoting diversity. USA
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