Lelia Nyong Adams

I grew up in a small village in Africa where I lived with no electricity or running tap water. I never imagined that I would live in America as a U.S. Immigration lawyer. My family and I have been through what most would call "Immigration Hell" including deportation. We legally fought and we now live in America as U.S. citizens. Therefore, I can personally relate to immigrants and their struggles because I was also an immigrant. Click Here to read the the story of my life as an immigrant before I became an Immigration Lawyer.

Lelia Adams was once an immigrant who is now an Immigration Lawyer dedicated to helping other immigrants. Lelia was born and raised in a small village in Africa. She later relocated to the United States of America as an immigrant and after several years became a naturalized United States citizen. Lelia attended Southern Connecticut State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science. While in college Lelia was a Congressional Intern for Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro representing the 3rd Congressional District of Connecticut. After graduating from college, Lelia worked for many years with a top wireless and communication industry as a coordinator in Continuity Marketing and Operations where she worked and interacted with people from different international cultures.

Lelia later earned her J.D. from Stetson University College of Law in Tampa Bay Florida and graduated with accolades. While in Law school, Lelia was placed on Honor Roll and as a result of her skills in advocacy she was also a finalist for the Phelps Dunbar 1st Year Appellate Advocacy competition. She also gained valuable experience in the court room as a judicial intern for Honorable Amy M. Williams of the 6th Judicial Circuit, Civil Division, in Saint Petersburg, Florida.

After graduation from law school Lelia relocated to Missouri where she was admitted to practice law. While in Missouri, Lelia worked with a non-profit organization in areas such as consumer protection, family law and Juvenile Law. In this role, Lelia fought fearlessly for all her clients through adjudication, meetings with social services and foster parents. She eventually relocated to the Phoenix Arizona to focus on immigration law. While in Phoenix, Lelia worked with an Immigration Firm helping clients with different aspects of immigration law.

Although Lelia was born and raised in Africa, she has traveled the world learning about people in other cultures. Lelia studied Common Law and the Law of Restitution at Oxford University in the United Kingdom. Lelia also participated in the American and Caribbean Law Institute program through Stetson University College of Law, researching and writing about both domestic and foreign laws on Trademark Infringement. While in the American and Caribbean Law Institute, Lelia participated with several Law schools from the United States and the Caribbean in a mock trial on Foreign Trademark Infringement.

Now in her practice as an Immigration Lawyer, Lelia continues to be dedicated to her clients and fearlessly represents them because as an immigrant who has been through the United States immigration system, she truly understands the struggles and concerns of other immigrants. Lelia is a member of the State Bar of Missouri. She is also a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and her focus is only on immigration law.

Profile at a Glance
Bar Admission
State of Missouri
Missouri Supreme Court

Education
Juris Doctorate, Stetson University College of Law
Saint Petersburg, Florida
International Law Studies, Oxford University – University of Florida Study Abroad Program Oxford, UK.
Bachelor of Science, Political Science, Southern Connecticut State University

Honors
William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award

Honor Roll
Advocacy Award
2007 Phelps Dunbar 1st Year Appellate Oral Advocacy Competition, Finalist

Professional Affiliation
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
American Bar Association