Meet Judith Delus Montgomery | BJ’s mom & Attorney
We had the good fortune of connecting with Judith Delus Montgomery and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Judith, what do you attribute your success to?
My faith and my ancestors. I truly believe that nothing but my faith in God has lead me this far in my career. The bible says, “Faith without works is death.” Therefore, I believe my tenacious faith and can do attitude against all odds has led me on my journey.
Additionally, I am of Haitian descent and I believe I stand on the backs of my ancestors who fought for me to be free from slavery in 1804 and I thank them for the spirit of a savage.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I practice in the intersection of family and immigration law. Meaning most of my clients have both a family law and immigration law matter. For example, they are married to a US Citizen spouse who petitioned for the status in the US and now that they are in the US, that spouse is abusing them physically, mentally, financially, or emotionally. They desire to divorce this spouse but are afraid they will lose their legal status in America and get deported. This is where my firm comes in. We fight for them to remain legal in the US but also obtain alimony and/or child support if needed until they can get on their feet.
Another example would be that a US Citizen has married a foreigner but once the foreigner gets here and after the US Citizen has paid all the fees to get them here, they flip or mistreat the US Citizen spouse because they are only using them to get here. If you have watched 90 fiance’ then we are the ones who pick up the pieces one the marriage falls apart. We fight to get the US Citizen spouse the money that they paid to submit a petition for fraud to Homeland Security when needed. We also ensure that no alimony is paid out to the spouse.
I had the pleasure of writing a book on this topic that became an Amazon Bestseller in its first week of being released. It is titled, “Through the eyes of an Immigration Attorney, Finding Freedom from divorce while Maintaining your immigration status”. Here is the link https://www.amazon.com/
I started my firm with one employee. Today we are a team of 15 employees and I am very proud of the ability to grow my firm to assist as many families as we can. But also provide employment opportunities to the Atlanta Metro community for the last 10 years. I have written 2 books; been selected as a Georgia Super Lawyer for the last 4 years in a row; been selected as a Law Firm 500 Fastest Growing Law Firm in 2019 recipient; been selected as a Florida State University Alumni 100 Fast Growing Businesses 2021 and 2023 recipient. I now own the building that houses my law firm. These are nothing short of blessings.
I attribute the growth of my firm to me doing business and personal development coaching for the last 5 years. Even though I went to law school, I knew that I needed to continue to educate myself and develop skills to truly build and manage a successful business. It has not been easy at all when you choose the road of entrepreneurship. I have taken business plan courses, marketing plan courses, financial management courses, leadership training, and self development training. This has aided me in building a 7 figure business. Many times I would get discouraged but also went back to prayer. This reminded me that I did not get here but chance. That this was my destiny. Travel, meditation, exercise have been my outlets to overcoming the stressors of my business. However, having my baby last year has also grounded me in remembering what’s important.
I am the first in my family to reach this level of success and not having financial support or a business blueprint in the beginning caused its own set of challenges but I believe that my family has supported me in other ways that has contributed to my success.
Lessons I have learned in owning a business: Money is cyclical. Money comes and money goes. So some seasons you may be up and some seasons you may be down but you are not out unless you give up and quit. The other is to bet on yourself each and every time!
What I want people to know is that many of us are first generation individuals who had to get it out the mud but you are still unique and special and never discount your own greatness. My hope is that my story encourages someone who is doubting their ability to go after what they want because of limitations society has placed on them. It will not be easy but it can be done. Never let anyone dim your light.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Visiting Atlanta is a must! Arrive Friday morning so you can rest because it is going to be a busy weekend.
Friday night lets hit High Museum or Trap Music Museum
Saturday we gotta hit Stone Mountain for a 5 mile hike then lets hit the aquarium, coca cola factory, and MLK memorial
Saturday night we gotta hit North Side Tavern for some good blues and jazz if you’re not too exhausted from the day
Sunday if time permits, let’s get a spa at the four seasons then let’s do brunch at Milk and Honey in College Park before dropping you off back to the airport
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mom is the reason I am here today. She brought me to the US at the age of four years old from my birth country Bahamas and gave me the opportunity to dream big. Always instilling in me that you can do and be who you want to be. There were never any limitations placed on as a child. She always reassured me that I was smart, beautiful, and capable.
My guidance counselor in high school Anne Garland was a champion in me applying and getting admitted into Florida State University.
Robin Leach(yes her name was really Robin Leach) who was my advisor in college also played an instrumental role during my tenure at Florida State University. She has passed away but left an indelible mark on my life.
Over the years I have been blessed by so many professional black women who have poured into me and have assisted with my development and strong foundation. Truly there are just too many to name but I am thankful for each and every one of them.
Website: https://www.atlfamilyimmigrationlaw.com/
Instagram: @atlfamimmigrationatty
Facebook: @atlanta family & Immigration law
Other: Tik Tok: atlfamimmigrationatty
Image Credits
Spectrum Dave
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