Meet Jamene Christian | Family Immigration Attorney & Public Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jamene Christian and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jamene, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Though I am 13th generation U.S. citizen by birth (yes, I did the research!), I am [proudly] married to an immigrant by choice. I filed for my husband many years ago.

We were overwhelmed by the then Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS), now the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) forms AND we were on the receiving end of an INS Officer’s well-meaning probing questions. Fortunately, we had an experienced, compassionate and accessible immigration attorney to successfully guide us through the process—Attorney Steve!

When founding FianceSpouseVisaLawyer.com LLC, a PURPOSELY online/virtual family immigration law boutique practice in 2017, it was my desire in starting FSVL.com to offer to potential clients in all 50 states and U.S. Territories (immigration law is federal law; as such, a licensed attorney can practice in all 50 states) compassionate and culturally sensitive immigration representation and advocacy—I am dedicated to providing the consistent care and necessary legal skill set to help U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents alike along with their foreign-born love ones to reach their Immigration Goals.

Prior to FSVL.com LLC, I had a brick and mortar immigration solo practice in the Atlanta metro area. However, I found that my clients were having difficultly making and keeping appointments due to their work schedules or distance to travel to my office; though I was successful at my little practice for a time—-I knew that I would be able to serve so many more clients if I had the ability to make the delivery of immigration legal services convenient for my clients and myself (I had 2 children under the age of 10 with busy school schedules and extra curricular lives).

So I prayed for an answer to the above problem because I truly believed that I had a unique, ethical and creative approach to the practice of immigration law and I really wanted to provide to clients not just in Atlanta but to clients all over the world what was provided to me and my husband by Attorney Steve so many years ago.

I got an answer to my prayers in 2017: the world wide web + an immigration lawyer for those in love=FianceSpouseVisaLawyer.com LLC!

I am proud to say that since the founding of FSVL.com LLC, I have become a proud member of the national American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA); I have served in leadership positions in the Atlanta Chapter of AILA as the past Chair and Co-Chair of the Media Liaison Committee.

With FSVL.com LLC I am not only able to provide skillful, creative immigration law services to metro Atlanta clients, I have literally been able to assist clients and potential clients from California to New York and their foreign-born loves from the UK, Germany, France, Jamaica, Antigua, Trinidad, The Gambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Mexico, the Philippines, Brazil, Thailand and other countries.

Since the naming of FSVL.com, I have expanded my online practice to include ALL matters of family immigration—no longer just offering legal services to fiances and spouses of U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents—I also represent immigrants here in the U.S. to become U.S. citizens, apply for their parents and other family members, assisting with work permits, waiving past immigration bans and even helping undocumented immigrants to “self-petition” for their green cards due to domestic violence at the hands of U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents.

Having been on both sides of the immigration desk, (having petitioned for my husband and now as the immigration attorney), I ALWAYS express a strong and active personal approach to my clients’ concerns, because I get it!

Since the age of 10, growing up as an only child in an upper middle class family in Harlem (oh, my step-father is an immigrant too!), I wanted to be an attorney so that I could advocate for my community, my neighbors and friends. Why? I recall observing an elderly women being dismissed by an unscrupulous dry cleaner when he refused to issue a reimbursement for the dress that he ruined–the elderly woman noticed that the colors appeared faded and when he said he would reimburse her for the damage, he refused when she told him the value of the dress–he refused to believe her when she told him that the dress was worth $100—he offered her only $20. At 10, I knew that elderly woman needed someone else’s voice to speak for her!

So, now as an immigration attorney with “skin in the game (I filed for my husband and my two American born children have immigrant roots through their father…),” I get to be that attorney for the voiceless, the marginalized and the uninformed. Specifically, I engage my heart, smarts, creativity and lived experienced when I represent my many clients.

I am proud to say that FianceSpouseVisaLawyer is the PREMIER, original online family immigration boutique law practice. Since the founding of my practice, I have noticed that many women-owned law practice have gone the online immigration law practice route as well—-I am happy for my fellow colleagues–but FSVL.com was first, haha!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
As described in my first response to the question: “What was your thought process behind starting your business,”

I am by design, an online/virtual family immigration boutique law practice. Back in 2017, I realized that my clients and potential clients were having difficulty making and keeping their appointments. I thought outside of the box and created a practice that serves my clients and me! With an online practice, I am able to literally go beyond the boundaries of the states where I am licensed to practice (Georgia and Connecticut) and I am able to offer my professional services to clients and potential clients all over the world. How many small, boutique women-owned law firms can make that claim?! Also, when COVID hit, I was already ZOOM(ing)–I was ahead of my competition–there was no learning curve!

I limit the number of clients that handle every year so that I can provide to my clients the personal, efficient and excellent immigration law services. I personally answer ALL phone calls–every single time— NO virtual assistants, paralegals, interns or gatekeepers, ever!

I am proud that after years of being a stay-at-home mom, after our last child entered college, I started FianceSpouseVisaLawyer.com LLC—from scratch, by myself (I can’t forget the help of my IT colleague, Terence Hover of Tech Genius of Atlanta) and 5 years later I am still here growing and being interviewed by “Shoutout!” I am also proud that I get to live my childhood dream–being a lawyer AND in the process, I get to help people live their version of the American Story.

Getting here was not easy. Starting from childhood, I was always told that “.”my mouth would get me in trouble.” As you can see, that message was NOT delivered in love and in confidence in me! I was never told “with that mouth, Jamene, you should become a lawyer.” At that time, opinionated children were deemed to be disrespectful if the child was to vocal. Children were to be seen not heard. So, though I knew that I wanted to be an attorney since that age of 10, I truly thought that using my “mouth” (an attorney’s stock and trade) would cause me harm! This is my earliest memory of the uphill battle that I had to take to get where I am today.Of course, being a Black woman of a certain age, there were other obstacles that I had to overcome to get here. So what did I do to get here. I stayed focused, turned my back on the naysayers, studied hard, enrolled in as many academic courses and honors courses, I applied for prestigious internships and programs, made the right connections, stayed true to myself and NEVER did I ever give up on myself or my dream to become an attorney.

I’ve leaned so many lessons. Do you have the space or time?, LOL.. But here is the one overwhelming lesson that I learned and this lesson will serve you in life not just in business: NEVER undervalue yourself. What do I mean? NEVER tell yourself NO. Apply to the school or program even if your grades are not in the percentile that the school is posting as their ideal student—APPLY! Remember, you are unique. You are more than a number. You are a whole person that that school, job, etc, is looking for.

I want the world to know that with FianceSpouseVisaLawyer.com LLC, you are not getting a domain name, a form filler, or a “notario,” —you are getting a licensed (in 2 states), respected, ethical, knowledgeable, tenured, trailblazing attorney, Jamene Christian, Esq— to represent you and advocate for you with her whole heart, smarts and creativity–when you log onto www.fiancespousevisalawyer.com—and engage me, you are getting someone who “gets it”–someone who sees your humanity just like at the age of 10, I saw that elderly woman’s humanity in the dry cleaners.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A week long trip–no particular order, just a must see or do some of my favorites:

1.The Herndon Home Museum, a historic house museum and National Historic Landmark at 587 University Place NW in Atlanta. It’s an elegant Classical Revival mansion built in 1910 by Alonzo F. Herndon, a former enslaved man who though formerly enslaved, he went on to become Atlanta’s first black millionaire and the founder of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company.
2. Paschals Restaurant–180 Northside Dr SW–home to some of the best Southern cuisine in Atlanta founded by 2 brothers—Paschals early in its founding, became the unofficial meeting place and “office” of the leaders of the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement–MLK, John Lewis, Julian Bond, Adam Clayton Powell, Fannie Lou Hamer, Maynard Jackson, H.J. Russell, etc..
3.A visit to Piedmont Park—Atlanta’s Central Park–you can jog, walk the dog, have a picnic or if you are in the ATL during Memorial Day weekend, you can take in the free, annual Atlanta Jazz Festival where the likes of George Benson and Herbie Hancock and Eddie Palmieri will entertain you like you paid for a ticket! lol
4. The best California style burritos in Atlanta–Bell Street Burritos–founded in Atlanta in 2007 or 2008 when a Morehouse professor was laid off and started selling burritos for extra cash. There are 3 locations, Buckhead, the Old Fourth Ward and Tucker. I prefer the Tucker location. The employees are friendly and accommodating–the food homemade tamales–simply the best.
5. The Slutty Vegan—just ask Mr. Google for the details! lol
6. If you love real estate like I do, then you must visit Ansley Park–located just above midtown–some of the city’s most architecturally beautiful homes and mansions in the city—a Sunday drive through the twisting streets will leave you breathless.
7. When you are done with a drive-by tour of Ansley Park, (if appropriately dressed,) park the car and take in a play or symphony music at the Woodruffs Arts Center. I have great memories of introducing my children to classical musical and theatre at the Arts Center. The Arts Center is right across the street from the main entrance to Ansley Park.
8. The Atlanta University Center—home of Spelman, Morehouse and Clark Atlanta University–3 of The Black Ivies. So much history and inspiration found on those grounds. If you are in Atlanta during the holiday season, go to a Morehouse and Spelman Glee Clubs annual concert–a must “hear!”
9. The Fox Theatre–if you favorite singer, musical or movie is not playing when in Atlanta, the Fox is still a must-see–go on a tour to see the stunning Moorish designed beautiful architecture.
10. The Atlanta Beltline–an ambitious waking, biking comprehensive trail that winds its way through Atlanta in-town neighborhoods–you can bike, walk, run, dine, shop at mom and pop boutiques, cafes, bars and step off at my favorite in-town grocery source—Trader Joe’s. The in-town TJ is so much more hip than it’s twin a little north in Buckhead. I go once a week for my TJ nuts and salt-free nacho chips.
11. The DeKalb Farmer’s Market—a world market of over 1000 fresh/organic meats, produce, seafood, dairy, beer, wine and baked goods–so good. Make sure to bring a sweater—it’s like walking into a freezer–must keep all of that deliciousness fresh! I also love the diversity of shoppers. People from all over the world come to shop with kids in tow. Also, if there is a fruit/vegetable that you have never seen before, just ask the person trying to select the freshest one–they will tell you the many ways that you can prepare the item. Don’t forget to look up–flags from all over the world are hanging!
12. High end shopping–Phipps Plaza, Shops of Buckhead or Lenox Mall. Vintage Shopping—Little 5 Points!
13. Black Wall Street–new indoor mall in Lithonia, GA to replicate the historic Black Wall Street of Tulsa

I can go on and on………………..

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I agree!

I’d like to thank to Jehovah for giving me my gifts and purpose.

I’d also like to “Shoutout” my family of origin and the family that I have created.

I’d like to “Shoutout” my clients who allow me the opportunity to actually practice law.

Finally, I ‘d like to “Shoutout” my high school history teacher, Ronald Ross (he taught the “whole” somewhat “critical” story of U.S. history) and my constitutional law professor the late Muhammad Kenyatta. Prof. Kenyatta reminded my fellow Black law students that we were the Talented Tenth that W.E.B Dubois wrote about—he told us that the title carried a duty!

Website: www.fiancespousevisalawyer.com

Instagram: fiancespousevisalawyer

Linkedin: Jamene Christian of FianceSpouseVisaLawyer.com

Twitter: Jamene Christian

Image Credits
Jamene Christian Jamene Christian Jamene Christian Jamene Christain Jamene Christain