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Husham Salih Mutar earned his LL.M. in Immigration and Nationality Law from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at ºÚÁÏ´«ËÍÃÅ in December 2025 and passed the July 2026 Texas Bar Examination on his first attempt.

Originally a practicing lawyer in Iraq, Husham came to the United States as a refugee without English language skills and had to start his professional journey from the beginning. He learned English in the United States, continued his legal education, and earned his LL.M. while balancing the responsibilities of being a husband, father of two, and the family’s primary provider.

Passing the Texas Bar Examination on his first attempt marks another important milestone in his journey toward becoming a licensed attorney in Texas. Husham hopes to build on his legal experience and education to serve immigrant and refugee communities and pursue a career in immigration law.

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José Ramón Echezuria Moy passed the February 2026 Texas Bar Examination on his first attempt with a score of 287 and is now a Texas-licensed attorney. Originally from Macuto, Venezuela, José is also a licensed attorney in his home country.

He earned his LL.M. in Immigration Law degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law in December 2024. José developed his passion for immigration law while serving immigrant and underserved communities through Refugee Services of Texas, Catholic Charities, and the Earl Carl Institute at ºÚÁÏ´«ËÍÃÅ. He hopes to continue his career in immigration law and eventually pursue board certification in Immigration and Nationality Law and Civil Trial Law.

Outside of work, José enjoys classic fiction, soccer, salsa music, and nature. His favorite novel is J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, and his favorite American poem is Emma Lazarus’s The New Colossus, whose message inspires his commitment to serving vulnerable communities.

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María Fernanda Olivares recently passed the July 2025 Texas Bar Exam on her first attempt. Originally from Mexico, Ms. Olivares is a licensed attorney and certified public accountant in her home country. After immigrating to the United States, she discovered her true vocation in immigration law, inspired by her desire to help others improve their lives and achieve stability in this great nation.
She earned her Master of Laws (LL.M.) in U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Law from Thurgood Marshall School of Law, ºÚÁÏ´«ËÍÃÅ, graduating with academic distinction. Before pursuing bar admission, Ms. Olivares worked for several years as an immigration paralegal and consultant, specializing in humanitarian relief and VAWA cases.
Her background in both law and accounting provides her with a strong analytical foundation and a compassionate approach to client advocacy. Ms. Olivares is committed to continuing her career in immigration law, empowering individuals and families to build a better future in the United States.

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Jose Trevino has been sharing his time between Houston and his hometown in Monterrey, Mexico since 2008, when he arrived in Houston to pursue an MBA degree at Rice University’s Jones School of Business.

Whether rendering business consultancy services or acting as a legal advisor of Mexican law, Trevino has helped numerous clients on both sides of the Rio Grande to expand their business horizons.
Upon completion of the LLM Program in December 2024, Trevino has helped the law firm where he’s working to launch its business immigration program, using the skillset obtained at Thurgood Marshall to advice clients in an array of immigration matters ranging from family-based petitions to multi-national executive employees’ immigrant petitions.

Trevino enjoys traveling with his wife (Manuela) and their two daughters (Cayetana & Lola), rooting for the Houston Rockets and shining his boots every year to attend the Houston Rodeo.

 

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Sofia Hidalgo (Fratti) recently passed the Texas July 2024 Bar with a 293 score as a first-time taker. Upon immigrating to the United States in 2017 as a Magna Cum Laude graduated attorney licensed to practice in El Salvador, she discovered her passion for immigration law. Sofia received her LL.M. degree in Immigration and Nationality Law from Thurgood Marshall School of Law (TMSL) in May 2019 with a 4.0 GPA.

For over 5 years, Sofia worked as a Foreign Legal Consultant licensed with the State Bar of Texas in a boutique immigration law firm in Houston, where she supervised the family department. Sofia is currently an Associate Immigration Attorney at Herrera Firm, focusing on family and employment-based immigration.

 

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Nkeiruka Grace Smith is a Senior Associate Attorney with Daniel Ogbeide Law PLLC where she practices Family Law, and Immigration and Naturalization Laws. A graduate of Thurgood Marshall School of Law, ºÚÁÏ´«ËÍÃÅ, where she received her Master of Laws degree (LL.M) in US Immigration and Naturalization Law, graduating top 2% of the class. She earned her Legum Baccalaureaus degree (LL. B), graduating magna cum laude, from Imo University, and her BL from Nig Law School. Ms. Smith has more than a decade of experience in legal practice and has excelled both as a corporate attorney with prestigious corporations and private practice, over different continents, and diverse workplaces. Ms. Smith is a member of the State Bar of Texas, she also admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. She is a proud mother of one child (Laura), and loves to travel, dine out, attend concerts, and spend quality time with loved ones.

LL.M – Master of Laws in US Immigration and Naturalization Laws – Thurgood Marshall School of Law, ºÚÁÏ´«ËÍÃÅ (graduated top 2%)
LL.B – Legum Baccalaureaus– Imo University (graduated magna cum laude)
B.L – Nig. Law School (Barrister at Law)