Today we’d like to introduce you to Narmeen Hussein.
Hi Narmeen, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began my professional career with a master’s degree in psychology, working as a therapist in a hospital-based correctional setting and treating inmates with mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. While the work was meaningful, I quickly recognized a larger systemic issue, that many individuals cycled back into incarceration simply because prison provided more consistent access to mental health and medical care than they had outside. That experience pushed me to think more broadly about how systems can either support or fail people, and it ultimately motivated me to pursue a career where I could create more lasting, practical change.
I made the deliberate decision to attend South Texas College of Law Houston, studying at night while working full time during the day in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation partial hospitalization program and other roles that allowed me to build both legal and business experience. From the beginning, I knew I didn’t just want to practice law, I wanted to build a Houston-based law firm that operated differently: one that was accessible, client-focused, and designed around the real needs of people facing major life transitions.
After graduating and passing the Texas Bar in 2016, I began practicing immediately, first working in compliance for a rehabilitation center before transitioning into family law in Houston. It quickly became clear that my background in therapy (particularly my skills of active listening, empathy, and de-escalation) was a natural fit for divorce and child custody cases, where legal issues and emotional stress are deeply intertwined. I saw an opportunity to build a family law firm that combined strong legal advocacy with compassion, communication, and strategic problem-solving.
Eventually, I launched my own firm to provide personalized divorce and family law representation in Houston, more specifically in Harris County, for clients who often feel overwhelmed or underserved by the legal system. Building a law practice from the ground up, especially navigating growth and challenges like the COVID era, required adaptability and an entrepreneurial mindset. Those experiences shaped how I run my firm today: intentionally, efficiently, and with a strong emphasis on client experience and outcomes.
Today, my practice focuses primarily on family law matters in Houston, including divorce, child custody, and related issues. I’m proud to have built a firm that clients trust during some of the most difficult transitions of their lives, and entrepreneurship has allowed me to design a practice that reflects my values and prioritizes clarity, compassion, and results while continuing to grow and serve families throughout the Houston area.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t believe any meaningful career path is ever a smooth road, and mine certainly wasn’t. I began my academic journey on a pre-med track, but by the time I graduated, I felt uncertain about whether that path was right for me. I went on to earn a master’s degree in psychology and worked as a therapist in a correctional facility, which was both challenging and eye-opening. The limitations on resources made it incredibly difficult to truly help patients, especially when working with individuals experiencing severe depression and hopelessness in an environment that often intensified those feelings.
One experience in particular had a lasting impact on me. I had been working with a younger patient who was visibly struggling with the reality of incarceration. After a session, something didn’t sit right with me, and I asked to check on him again before leaving for the day. That decision likely saved his life. The experience was deeply traumatic, but it also clarified something important for me, that I wanted to be able to help people in a way that created lasting change, especially when they felt like they had run out of options.
That realization ultimately led me to law. After law school, I worked at a larger firm where I didn’t feel their approach aligned with truly serving the community. I later joined a practice run by a former Harris County associate judge, where I learned firsthand what client-centered advocacy looks like and how meaningful it can be when an attorney genuinely prioritizes people over process.
I decided to open my own firm shortly before COVID, which presented its own challenges. Like many small business owners, I had to adapt quickly during a time when uncertainty was high and family law matters temporarily slowed. During that period, I expanded my skill set by obtaining my real estate license and focusing more heavily on estate planning, wills, and trusts. These services became especially important to clients during that time.
Looking back, the road hasn’t been easy, but each challenge pushed me to grow, adapt, and better serve the people who rely on me. Learning to evolve out of necessity has shaped how I practice today and reinforced my commitment to meeting clients where they are, even when circumstances are constantly changing.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the sole attorney at my firm, and my practice focuses primarily on family law, including divorce, establishing parental rights, child custody and visitation disputes, child support matters, protective orders, name changes, termination of parental rights, and adoptions. I also offer estate planning services, such as wills, trusts, and related documents, to help individuals and families prepare for end-of-life planning or situations where someone may no longer have the capacity to express their wishes.
What truly sets my practice apart is my background beyond the law. I remain a Licensed Professional Counselor, even though I no longer provide mental health therapy services. That training informs how I approach family law cases, especially divorce and custody matters, where emotions, trauma, and stress often play a significant role. My clients benefit from an attorney who understands not only the legal issues involved, but also the emotional and psychological impact these cases can have on individuals and families.
I am also Palestinian and fluent in Arabic, which allows me to serve an often underserved population of Arabic-speaking clients in the Houston area. Despite Houston’s incredible diversity and large Arab community, there are very few family law attorneys who can effectively represent clients in Arabic. Being able to communicate clearly and directly with clients in their native language helps ensure they feel understood, informed, and confident throughout the legal process.
Above all, my brand is centered on compassion, accessibility, and advocacy. I don’t measure success by volume or visibility, but by outcomes and ensuring that my clients leave their cases feeling safer, more secure, and emotionally supported. Helping people navigate some of the most stressful periods of their lives, and knowing they are in a better place at the end of it, is what motivates me to continue this work.
What’s next?
As a mother of two very young children, ages three and one, I intentionally reduced my workload for a period of time so I could be fully present with them during those early years. That balance has always been important to me. Now, as they grow, I’m excited to shift my focus back toward expanding my law practice and helping more families navigate divorce and other family law matters.
At the beginning of the year, I relocated to a larger, more welcoming office conveniently located near Beltway 8 and Briar Forest, making it easier for clients across the Houston area to access my services. The new space allows room to grow, including the possibility of adding another attorney, so I can take on more cases while continuing to provide the personal attention my clients value.
I’m also looking forward to expanding my mediation services, particularly for Arabic-speaking clients, whether they are representing themselves or working with other attorneys. I understand firsthand how overwhelming it can be to go through a legal process without fully understanding what’s being said or decided due to a language barrier, especially in divorce or custody cases where so much is at stake. Offering mediation in Arabic helps ensure clients feel heard, informed, and protected.
Long term, I plan to continue developing new skills and thoughtfully expanding into complementary areas of law that allow me to support clients through multiple stages of life, not just during divorce, but during other important transitions as well.
Pricing:
- half hour phone consultations to discuss facts of case are $150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nkhlawfirm.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/nkhlawfirm & www.instagram.com/nkhrealty
