Getting to Know: Hashim G. Jeelani

Hashim G. Jeelani is the principal attorney at Jeelani Law Firm, PLC, with offices in the Detroit and Chicago areas. For nearly a decade, Jeelani has handled hundreds of complex cases involving family and business immigration, including family-based adjustment of status/green card cases, citizenship filings, representation of businesses and employees when filing L1A/B Petitions, H1B petitions, and Permanent Labor petitions.

Jeelani also is known for his work in federal litigation against the U.S. government agencies when they've wrongfully denied a client's case or failed to make a decision in a timely manner. He also has helped many investors structure qualifying investments in the U.S. to immigrate under the EB5 Investment Program. 

By Jo Mathis
Legal News

When you were considering law school, what was Plan B? There was no Plan B.  My general strategy in life is to burn the bridges back.   

What is your proudest moment as a lawyer? When I decided to start my own practice in 2011 in the worst economy in the country at the time, and with $175 in my account. I had barely had enough gas my car to drive around to every ethnic food store in the Detroit area and pass out business cards I created online for free. I got my first client two days later and the rest is history.

What would surprise people about your job? More than 70 percent of my clients have never seen my face—credibility and reputation allow me to operate my firm this way.

Advice for someone considering law school? If the goal is to make the most money, there are easier ways. When someone asks me if they should go to law school, I ask them if they like solving puzzles and riddles. If you thrive on this and it excites you, then it likely will work for you.

Favorite local hangouts? Lifetime Fitness, Xsport Fitness, and my home gym.

What is your most treasured material possession? I don’t have any treasured material possessions I cannot do without. I do, however, treasure a good ribeye, slice of pizza, or burger—these don’t last very long when they’re on my plate.

What was always written on your grade school report card? There was never any consistency in my grades—I only tried and did well in classes I enjoyed. I think this is indicative of my perspective on career and life choices in general—life is short, do what you love and try to monetize it if you need to.

What is your happiest childhood memory? Mornings with my parents. My father would love to challenge me with some sort of math problem or fun experiment. While I sat there trying to figure out how to solve the challenge, I would hear Indian music/TV shows in the background and smell the morning feast my mom would be cooking up.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received? Whenever I would bump in to someone who told me “Your father was a great man, he … (gave me my first job/gave me a place to stay/helped me in my time of need, etc.)” Hearing this feels better than any compliment anyone could give me.

What do you wish someone would invent? A plate that would tell me the macros (carbs, fat, protein) of anything I put on it. I would take this with me everywhere.

When you look back into the past, what do you miss most? Generally, the pre-social media days. I feel people had a much deeper connection and were able to really get to know the people in their lives. Despite all the benefits of social media, the focus has become on the quantity of relationships and not so much on the quality.

If you could have witnessed any event in history, what would it be? Kobe Bryant dropping 81 points on the Raptors in 2006 at the Staples Center. 

What were you doing in your last selfie? Playing with my daughter and her Barbie Dream House.

What’s at the top of your bucket list? My bucket list is an ongoing goal—live the longest life at the highest quality possible.

Who is on your guest list for the ideal dinner party? Dwayne Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Tony Robbins, Barack Obama.

What question do you most often ask yourself? What more can I do to improve?

If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would that be? Dwayne Johnson.

What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve been? India—so much history, culture, and organized chaos. I love it.

What’s something you changed your mind about recently? My time is best spent controlling what I can. 

What’s one thing you would like to learn to do? I’ve trained in Muay Thai and still do. I’d like to train in Brazilian Jujitsu. 
 
What is something most people don't know about you? That I listen to Bollywood music when I work out.