We sat down to speak with Salman Bhojani (owner of Bhojani Law) as part of our Legal Trailblazers Special Issue. His legal practice focuses on small businesses and individuals, with a focus in estate planning and real estate law. He also provides title insurance and closing services. Bhojani, a former member of the City Council of Eulse, Texas, was elected to the Texas State House.
AALM What sparked you to become a lawyer? Is there a story to that?
SB I initially didn’t want to become a lawyer. My intention was to become a doctor when I entered school. However, my professor showed me a video showing the inside of human bodies and I fell ill in my second year of pre-med. At the age of 19, I had three minimum wage jobs in order to support my family and myself while I studied MIS at The University of Texas at Dallas. Before changing my fields again, I bought four gas stations. I went to Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law during the evenings.
AALM Tell us about your story of immigration and how it led to your current career.
SB I was born and raised in Pakistan. I immigrated to Texas at the age of 19. My first job was $6 an hour. I cleaned gas station bathrooms and stocked shelves. Because no one offered me more than 40 hours per week, I was forced to work in three stores. I was hardworking and promoted to cashier, then manager and eventually, owner of multiple gas stations in Dallas/Fort Worth.
AALM How did you get from being a small-business owner and buying convenience stores to a law degree?
SBAs small-business owner, I felt that my peers and community were not properly setting up their businesses, were not drafting contracts with partners, and were not receiving the crucial advice from attorneys to help them set themselves up for success. Many entrepreneurs found themselves in disputes with vendors, their employees, family members, and partners. Two brothers, who never signed their agreements in writing, would fight over business issues. They each had their own visions for the business. I witnessed how successful businesses fell apart.
Many times, partners entered into business together without signing a written contract. One partner would die, and the other would inherit any business profits. Despite having all the necessary ingredients for entrepreneurial success, I realized quickly that the absence of a written, unambiguous agreement was the most significant factor in many businesses’ failure. After gaining business knowledge through my entrepreneurial journey, it was clear that I was prepared to tackle the task of studying law and helping business owners navigate legal issues.
AALM Tell us about the difficulties you faced to earn your degree.
SB I attended SMU Law School in the evenings, while running my gas stations during work during the day. It was a 4-year degree, instead of the three-year. My day began at 6 AM when I started working at the gas stations. I would leave SMU at 5:30 PM and attend classes from 6PM to 9:45 PM. I would arrive home at 11 pm and have no time to visit my family or catch up on sleep.
It was rinse, repeat, for the next four years. Despite my hectic schedule, I managed to complete 11 internships. SMU Small Business Clinic, U.S. Immigration Court, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Fifth District Court of Appeals and Department of Health & Human Services were my internships. I also worked as a teaching assistant for a legal writing professor, Haynes & Boone (small law firm), Haynes & Tobin (“large” law firm), and Anderson & Tobin (small) I was also very grateful for the opportunity to study the UK Constitution Law in Oxford, UK at the University College of the Oxford University.
AALM How has your experience as a lawyer influenced your view of law?
SB My time as a lawyer only reinforced my belief that small businesses are often denied the chance to set up their business for success due to either not being able to afford lawyers, having limited access to them or not valuing that perspective as highly as they should. We regularly hold Lunch & Learn sessions at Bhojani law to inform the community about important issues in real estate, business and estate planning.
AALM Did you have mentors or teachers who helped you prepare to go to law school?
SB: Absolutely! My success is a result of the wisdom of many well-wishers. Dean Martin Camp and Professor Bryan Garner, Professor Beverly Dureus and Professor Marc Steinberg were all examples of teachers who took me under their wings and helped me become a practicing attorney. I was encouraged by mentors Sakina Rasheed Foster and Jamel Habib as well as hundreds of community members to persevere over the four years that led me to the top law firm in North Texas. The most important people I cannot forget are my wife and best friend, Nima Bhojani and my amazing and brilliant children, Aarish, Raisha and Sultan, as well as my supportive parents Yasmin and Yasmin.
AALM How does it feel being one of the first Muslims or South Asians elected to the Texas Legislature, and the first person of color to serve House District 92?
SBBeing the first South Asians or Muslims elected to the Texas Legislature, I’m extremely proud of it. But, I don’t want the last. My passion is to create a pipeline of diverse young people who can provide us with the best representation from the federal, state, and local governments.
Personally, I see positive changes in my community. Zo Quadri approached me after my 2018 election to Euless City council. Zo Quadri approached me to tell me that I was the first Muslim protagonist he had seen on television and that he had been inspired by my campaign for local office. He was elected to Austin City Council in November.
This honor is not mine alone. It belongs to the Muslim community, who will witness one of their members walk the halls at the State Capitol. It also belongs to our immigrant communities, whose children can hear their stories echo in the House chamber. It is for all Texans, who will gain a fresh perspective at the decision-making tables.
AALM How do you envision supporting future generations of lawyers in the future? What do you want to achieve in the future?
SBLawyers know our laws better than any other professional. I want to encourage young lawyers to run to be elected officials and to give back to the community. My goal is to offer a unique perspective to lawyers in my area so that they can grow their practice and remain successful. To share my American Dream story, I will speak at legal events.
Sometimes our biggest obstacle is ourselves and the way we think. I have been a victim of taking the safe path. However, I have been more successful in stepping out of my comfort zone to accomplish something I never imagined. I want to inspire future generations of lawyers to do so.
As an attorney and small business owner, there is so much I want. Now, as a freshman state representative, I am looking forward to meaningful representation for my constituents. My current focus is on improving Texas’ strong economy and creating good-paying jobs, ensuring that we have access to high quality healthcare, building world-class schools, protecting religious freedom, and integrating technology in multiple sectors throughout Texas.
AALM Is there anything else you’d like to add?
SB The legal profession has opened so many doors to me, and I hope other people will pursue it to follow their passions and make a difference in the world.
The post Salman Bhojani: The American Dream was first published on Attorney at Law Magazine.