A Resource for Her Community
I AM AFRICAN & I CAN is a women’s empowerment blog highlighting stories of Black women’s struggles and successes.
By Hadiatou Wann | 07/28/23
During high school senior year, as Aisatou Diallo, Esq. headed to school in the morning, she was stopped by truancy officers. Without asking sufficient questions about who she was and why she was early, they pulled her aside and ruined her already-perfect attendance. Though within a few hours she was given the green light to go to class, this incident was an eye-opener to the justice system and how people could fall victim to stop-and-frisk or being wrongfully accused.
Born and raised in the Bronx, going to school every day was frightening for Aisatou. Although she went to a school that was in one of the worst high schools in New York (TAFT), she graduated from college and then law school.
Initially, her interest was in studying psychology. But while working with nonprofit org, she realized that there were some important things that were not discussed that needed to be, specifically immigration.
After earning her master’s in environmental law, then completing three years of law school, and passing the bar exam, Aisatou kickstarted her law career in the nonprofit sector. At the start of her career, when she met clients that were held at detention centers, knowing that she grew up in the same borough as some of them, but their paths turned out different, made her wonder about the lack of opportunities for others.
When Aisatou— who is now licensed in New York— shows up to court, a few times she’s been mistaken for a legal assistant instead of attorney because of her youthful appearance.
Although walking into prisons and seeing clients in handcuffs can be scary, knowing that she’s working for people who have had all their rights taken from them motivates Aisatou to be the advocate they need. Through experience, she learned to show up, get the job done, and have the mental strength to go back home and detach herself from what she’d been exposed to in the field, though not easy all the time.
At times, she juggles up to thirty cases, but prioritizes them based on how quickly clients provide the documents she needs. Cases can take anywhere between one day to years to complete. When she’s not writing a brief, researching, looking for evidence, or filing applications, she meets with clients to prepare them for court appearances.
One of the challenges she faces as a lawyer is preparing her clients for court. Sometimes, she organizes a mock—where she and her client pretend they’re in court. This gives the client an idea of the sort of questions he or she will have to answer. Although Aisatou prepares them, the clients decide what they’ll say on the stand. However, once on the stand, some end up saying something completely different from what they have discussed during their one-on-one meeting with Aisatou. Even then, the Guinean American immigration attorney must be alert and immediately redirect and clarify her client’s statements, all the while answering with integrity and the truth.
After noticing the lack of representation or focus for her community, during the Coronavirus pandemic, Aisatou launched her own law firm— Diallo Law Practice, LLC.
M. Kante, one of Aisatou’s former and satisfied clients described her experience working with the lawyer: “During my immigration journey for my husband I was so anxious, but Aisa’s help put my anxiety to ease, giving me all the help and feedback that I needed to be approved. Without her help and advice, I don’t know how we would have been approved for the green card."
Since Aisatou began working with clients in the African community, she had the opportunity to help numerous people reach their legal goals. However, she also came across some who had unrealistic comparisons and/or expectations of what she can do as a lawyer, and sometimes wanting her to make moves that are not ethically sound.
“No case is the same in the field of law,” Aisatou explained.
Working in the field of law requires continual education. As Aisatou gains more knowledge, she aims to continue educating her community about how to protect their interests and rights. This way they will have a better understanding of its benefits and who can legally access their wealth. Aisatou’s success story teaches us that when we decide on a career path, it is imperative to choose a field that we are passionate about and that puts us in a favorable position to advocate for others.
Inside the Life of a Lawyer
“Women go through a lot! A strong woman is resilient. She works to overcome barriers that are put in place.”
“No case is the same in the field of law.”
“People think that I like to argue because I’m a lawyer. I do not find joy in arguing. I’m not arguing unless I’m getting paid.”
“Success is being in a place where you’re content. It’s being comfortable with what you’re doing and where you are in life.”
Connect with Aisatou:
Instagram: @aisaaa, @diallolawpractice
TikTok: @diallolawpractice
Email: diallolawpractice@gmail.com
Read other success stories here: www.iamafricanandican.info/blog
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