Leaders Perception Magazine is currently running an interview series called – The Future Frontier: Insights from Diverse Leaders
Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing Shahad Atiya, the owner and lawyer of Atiya Law. Shahad, an immigrant to the United States, started her own law firm right out of law school, drawing inspiration from her immigrant background and her grandmother’s entrepreneurial spirit. With a successful practice running for the past 7 years, Shahad shares her hopes and expectations for 2024, both personally and professionally. She also discusses the impact of technological advancements on the legal industry, the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and her favorite quote by Professor Ronald Stockton. Join us as we delve into Shahad’s insightful perspective on the future of law and immigration in the United States.
Shahad Atiya of Atiya Law: 2024 Hopes & Challenges
Interviewee Name: Shahad Atiya
Company: Atiya Law
Shahad Atiya’s favourite quote: “If you want to learn about yourself, study other people.” -Professor Ronald Stockton (former political science professor at the University of Michigan)
The Interview
Thank you so much for joining us today! Tell us a little bit about yourself. What is your backstory?
Shahad Atiya : I am an immigrant to the United States. I started a law firm right out of law school and I believe the confidence to do that comes from my immigrant background and my grandmother’s entrepreneurial spirit. I have been running a successful practice for the last 7 years.
As we embark on the journey into 2024, what are your hopes and expectations for the year ahead, both personally and professionally?
Shahad Atiya : I would like my law firm to become full remote and sustainable as a remote practice. I would like to also reach a more global audience (of intending immigrants coming from outside the U.S.). Currently I serve largely immigrants who are already in the United States.
Personally, I would like for my family to reach the point of being comfortable with the practice to fund our lives so we can travel more frequently.
How do you see technological advancements influencing your field or industry in the coming year, and what opportunities or challenges do they present?
Shahad Atiya : It is inevitable that AI is the future. The legal industry is having a difficult time with it because in general it is a slower industry to take on change since there are so many layers of the bureaucracy to implement such changes. I welcome this change and I think it makes us more efficient lawyers and thus help the practice of law in general.
As a leader or aspiring leader, what role do you believe diversity, equity, and inclusion will play in shaping the future of your industry, and how are you working to promote these values within your sphere of influence?
Shahad Atiya : The American economy is unable to fill all the jobs created by various industries. We are becoming more and more reliant on immigrant workers. We need to have comprehensive immigration reform to open up more opportunities for people to come to the states. Currently the system we have is based on archaic needs of the 20th century. The 21st century workers we need require new legislation and new regulations. The make up of the United States will inevitable change as a result as it is already changing now with the various communities migrating here whether it be the result of domestic issues in their home countries, environmental disasters or war. The way to be able to serve more people is to be more comfortable with the idea that on a daily basis any given person you interact with is from a different part of the world. No longer are places such as New York City known as metropolitan because immigrants are all around us.
In my own law firm, based on the needs of the population, the last 3 assistants I have hired happen to be Spanish speakers with strong ties to the Latino community. This helped me since I only speak Arabic and English. The community trust is built when the client has complex issues explained to them in their native language.
Leaders Perception would like to thank Shahad Atiya and Atiya Law for the time dedicated to completing this interview and sharing their valuable insights with our readers!
Subscribe to our newsletter to get a notification as soon as we launch a new interview series.