NAAHP Blog

What is your occupation and academic background and how did you come to work in this field?

I am the Principal and Managing Attorney at Bernier Legal, LLC.  I obtained my undergraduate degree in Politics from New York University and my law degree from Hofstra University School of Law.  I had wanted to be an attorney since the age of 4.  Although at that young age I didn’t quite grasp what an attorney did exactly, I held onto that dream.

Knowing that I wanted to eventually attend law school, I fashioned my education around that goal – taking electives in high school such as political thought and philosophy; becoming a member of my high school’s debate team; participating in a National Leadership program that taught me how to prepare a trial, which I eventually presented in front of U.S. District Court judges in Washington, D.C.; becoming a Politics major in college; and eventually studying under the Direction of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Scalia during a summer study abroad program in Italy.

From the time that I was a senior in high school, I began working in the legal field.  I started out with a summer job as a secretary in a Long Island law firm.  During my college years, I worked for the New York State Attorney General, various entertainment companies, and other small law firms.  Once I went to law school, I interned at the New York State Division of Human Rights, District Council 37 and The Communication Workers of America.  Following my law school graduation and being admitted to the New York State Bar, I worked at a small law firm before eventually opening my own practice in August of 2010.

What is the biggest challenge of your work?

As the owner of my own law firm, I would have to say that the biggest challenge is juggling all of the different aspects of my business.  Not only do I have to wear my attorney hat, but I must also handle finances, administrative duties and the like.  While this is challenging, it is also very rewarding when everything comes together. 

Identify one or two of your proudest achievements?

My proudest achievement occurred on November 14, 2008 when I found out that I had passed the New York State Bar Exam.  It was such a LONG road to reach that point.  It was the culmination of 17 years of dreaming, hoping, praying, blood, sweat, tears, perseverance, and lots of reading!  That day will forever be etched in my memory as the happiest moment in my life thus far.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

In ten years I will have grown my firm exponentially, be considered a Super Lawyer in my industry and will have further developed my other businesses (I currently co-own a real estate group and clothing company).  A decade from now I will have also done a considerable amount of philanthropic work, particularly in Haiti. 

What would be your advice to young people who want their careers and lives to have an impact?

My first piece of advice is to find what you love doing, and make a career out of it.  We spend the majority of our lives working, so why not work at something that you are passionate about.  It’s much easier to make an impact with something for which you have a passion.

My second piece of advice – Don’t go it alone.  We all can do wonderful things individually, but when we put our heads and resources together, we can effect real and significant change.  Get out there and network; meet people who share the same passion as you; and help others achieve their dreams as well.

Would you recommend NAHP to Haitian students and professionals?  Why?

Absolutely.  NAHP is a wonderful organization that has so much to offer students and professionals.  Like I mentioned in my previous answer, when we put our heads and resources together, we can do amazing things.  NAHP provides the foundation on which we can build.