Today we’d like to introduce you to Mercy Gagnon.
Hi Mercy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I always have difficulties discussing myself and my story, but I will do my best. I’m a full-time Immigration Law Attorney at Bienvenidos Law Firm, Inc., a partner, and a dog mom who loves to work out. I am originally from Vogan, Togo (West Africa). I immigrated to the United States roughly eighteen years ago to follow the dream of my ten-year-old self – to become an Immigration, Nationality, and International Human Rights Law Attorney. Following this dream moved me from Togo to Nebraska, Georgia, back to Nebraska, back to Georgia, then to Texas, and now to Minnesota. I like to think that love moved me to Minnesota, and I have no regrets. I know Chicago, New York, Colorado, South Dakota, Washington, DC, and Indiana would be jealous I left them out, but I like to call them pee stops along the way. Becoming a lawyer has not been easy, but I find it rewarding. I went to middle school and part of high school in Nebraska. I finished High School in Georgia and moved back to Nebraska for college. The Georgia heat was not made for someone like me who got used to the Nebraska winters in a week. I later moved back to Georgia after college to be with my family before moving to Texas for my law degree (Juris Doctorate). I have a Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) from Texas Southern University – Thurgood Marshall School of Law (TMSL), where I focused on international and immigration law. I also have an International and Immigration Law Certification from the TMSL– Institute for International and Immigration Law and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies from Chadron State College. I wore many hats as far as jobs go before becoming what I have always wanted to be – a lawyer. All of those hats shaped me. I am passionate about foreign policies, asylum and refugees’ rights, women’s rights, education, voting and election regulations, and human rights. So, my ultimate goal is to sway foreign policies that will have a direct political, social, and economic impact on the international community.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road was narrow and far from being smooth. Like many immigrants, I did not speak basic conversational English when I moved to the US many years ago. So, that was my very first struggle. I’m grateful to the fantastic teachers of District 66 schools in Omaha, Nebraska, for not leaving me behind. I’m also thankful to one of my lifelong friends, whom I call “Abby to my NCIS,” for helping me with my English in college. I lost one of my brothers between college and law school and decided to take a year off before going to law school. While in law school, I lost 3 people who were dear to me, was in two car accidents, my apartment was burglarized – my school laptop and iPad were both stolen, and I ended up in the ER during finals week once. All of this happened in 3 years. I spent a lot of my law school career fighting battles while fighting to get good grades so that I didn’t curve out. Another notable struggle along the way is the bar exam and the financial difficulties that come with it. I had it all planned out that I would become a licensed attorney by the time I turned 25. I think God laughed when I made those plans because I didn’t become a licensed attorney until I turned 29. Financial struggles forced me to withdraw from the Bar exam in 2019. The pandemic followed this. However, I registered for the 2020 bar exam just for it to be postponed from July to October, and then I had to withdraw again because they decided to change how different states would accept the exam. My father was gravely sick during this time, and my health took a turn in July 2020. I lost my father in September 2020. I registered for the exam again in 2021, and by God’s grace, they didn’t postpone it, and I didn’t have to withdraw so that I could take the exam in the bedroom I shared with my partner in July 2021.
I appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Bienvenidos Law Firm, Inc.?
Bienvenidos Law Firm, Inc. is a for-profit boutique law firm dedicated exclusively to practicing US immigration and nationality law in Anoka, Minnesota, and that provides culturally sensitive and language-appropriate legal services. We have expertise with various forms of immigration relief, including applications for permanent residency, Naturalization, family-based petitions, work permits, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. What sets us apart from others is that we are a small private firm and care very much about the human impact of what we do. We speak English, French, Ewe, and Spanish at our firm. Our clients see us like family. It’s normal for a client to drop by with a basket of cookies, a pot of plants, or Christmas cards. Most of our clients come to us through referrals from past and present clients, which is a testament to our service and hearts.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
It pains me to say this, but resilience, self-reliance/confidence, adaptability, and discipline are most important to my success. Truthfully, I dream of a day when I’m not called resilient, but resilience in the face of failures or obstacles allows me to persevere and try again until I succeed. This trait kept me from giving up on my dreams and goals no matter how bad things got. As my mother says, “No matter where life drops you, Mercy, you will find a way to grow.” And my father’s favorite thing to say is this, “Mercy, you will figure it out. You always do, and I trust you will figure it out again.”
Pricing:
- $150 Consultation (Subject to Change)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bienvenidoslaw.com/en/opening-doors-united-states/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peerlesssapiosexual/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbedegbegnon-mercy-gagnon-b-a-j-d-esq-52a4a898/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/fitnesswithmercy/?hl=en
