Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikita N. Lamar.
Hi Nikita, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I sincerely believe that my path to becoming an attorney was predestined. As early as my teens, I remember my mother Allena Lamar (now deceased) addressing an envelope to me as Nikita Lamar, Esquire. My grandparents sparked the initial interest and a high school guidance counselor added fuel to the fire. Our school participated in a youth judicial program where I was allowed to compete against other student attorney teams. The experience solidified my interest in the practice of law.
Although I was certain of my journey, the path was a bit unconventional. After obtaining my undergraduate degree from Tennessee State University located in Nashville, TN; I started a career in Non-Profit than spanned a ten-year period. During that time I also became a licensed massage therapist. Being a person of service to the community has been a huge part of my life’s journey thus far. In 2011, at the age of 31, I became a full-time law student at Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas.
The job market was not favorable when I graduated, hence; I opened my firm shortly after receiving my Juris Doctor. This year my firm will celebrate its sixth (6th) year in operation. The Lamar Legal Group, PLLC is a multidisciplinary law firm that happens to also be a woman, Black/minority, and LGBTQIA+ owned law firm.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not! The road has been very bumpy, but I am grateful that I have the opportunity to share a few of my struggles in hopes it will encourage another “late-bloomer”.
During my matriculation at Thurgood School of Law, I lost two family members which spiraled into a short stint of homelessness and depression. One of my assets in my practice has been my ability to relate to others no matter where they are in life.
The interesting thing about my journey/past is how it intersects with the areas of law that I practice.
Family Law/Divorce-My grandparents were appointed as my guardians at an early age so I am very familiar with unconventional familial structures. My biological parents were divorced when I was very young. I was way too young to remember the specifics, but I am familiar with how these family matters can affect both children and parents.
Probate Law/Estate Planning: Unfortunately, many of my family members passed on without having established an estate plan. As a result, I know what it is like to find yourself in Probate Court after a loved one transitions. I also understand what it feels like to lose generational wealth to court and attorney’s fees.
Trademarks: Entrepreneurship was a focal point of my childhood. My family owned and operated a restaurant during the Civil Right Movement and afterward converted that space into a Florist Shop. My grandparents supported my education through college as entrepreneurs. Brand protection can be tied to generational wealth when owners invest in further legitimizing their businesses.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Lamar Legal Group, PLLC is a woman, black, and LGBTQIA+-owned law firm focusing on the areas of Family Law (including but not limited to Divorce, Child Custody, and Adoption), Probate Law, and Trademark Law. We assist both entities/companies and individuals during some of the most difficult and transitional periods. This isn’t taken lightly. Practicing law allows me to actualize my passion for helping people, and I get the opportunity to do this every day.
Why would a person select my firm? Simple, we care. There is so much strength in the “soft skills” at the heart of my law firm; those such as the ability to be adaptable and to actively listen to clients. Attorneys have often been labeled as aggressive a-holes with little to no regard for anything aside from billing multiple hours. The ability to empathize with others can be lost in this profession but it is ingrained in the foundation of my law firm. Most importantly, my life’s story is inextricably interwoven with the history of Lamar Legal Group, PLLC.
We primarily service the following counties: Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria, and Montgomery as relates to our Family and Probate Law practice areas. Trademarks are governed by both state and federal law; so we have the capability of working with individuals and businesses across the U.S.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me in business and my personal life is Balance and Representation. In addition, I need to cultivate as much of a holistic offering and environment for my clients as possible. As my firm continues to grow and evolve, I am often reminded that there is still a huge need for more collaborative approaches, especially in civil cases (including Family Law). There is an expectation that litigation has to be difficult, and that is such a misnomer. Mediation and other forms of collaborative approaches are often available in for instance the areas of Family and Probate Law. It is my goal to do everything in my power to lighten litigation loaf for my clients. This in turn can empower the client to take more of an active role in case outcomes; often strengthening familial and business relationships as a result. My firm must offer both conventional and unconventional legal solutions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lamarlegalgroup.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourrebeljd/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LamarLegalGroup
Image Credits
LeTony W. Hadnot Jr.-DIFFERENT MIND DESIGNS @differentminddesigns Karon L. Washington-ByKaron @karonlwashington
