A few short years ago, Eliza Epps thought attorneys were boring, and had no desire to be one. Now she’s an associate at Olsen Law Firm, which counsels clients on immigration matters. The degree to which Epps enjoys her work would be even more surprising to her younger self: Despite her teenage reservations, she loves it.
“My mom was a lawyer, and all of her friends were lawyers, and I thought lawyers were boring,” she says, laughing. “I didn’t want to hang out with them all of the time.”
College has a way of changing a person’s thinking, though, as it did Epps’. While an American Studies major at Sewanee: The University of the South, she interned at various political offices. This allowed Epps to be “in the law rather than around it.” She initially considered working in politics, but the more she explored the idea, the more she realized the practice of law would be a good fit for her ideals.
“I started thinking about what inspired me,” she says, “and I became more intrigued by how the law is applied to the lives of regular people. I thought becoming a lawyer would connect me more with the people on the ground.”
The rich history of Virginia drew her to the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg. She connected with her employer, Terry Olsen, a William & Mary alumn, through the school’s career services. The idea of working in Chattanooga excited her. “When I was going to Sewanee, my friends and I would come here for events, and a lot of them relocated here after graduation,” she says.
Epps traveled to Chattanooga in the fall of 2011 to meet with Olsen about a summer associate position. Although Epps had no experience in immigration law, Olsen was able to connect the dots between her experience and the work his firm does.
“When I interned at Arkansas Legal Services, I worked with a lot of agencies,” she says. “And when you practice immigration law, you work with a lot of agencies. Terry said my skills would be useful.”
But something else about Epps that can’t be taught or learned caught Olsen’s eye: her desire to help people. “When you practice immigration law, you have to have passion; you have to dig deep and commit yourself to your clients because you’re dealing with their life. Terry said he saw those things in me, and told me he could teach me the rest.”
Olsen is doing just that. He hired Epps last August, and since then, has sent her every new case.
“Everyone here works on everything,” Epps says. “Then, when Terry gives us an assignment, we know the issues, and the timing, and the documents we need. As supervising attorney, he works on the case, and we provide support.”
Epps has touched every area of immigration law the firm handles: family, employment, investment, and more. And she’s been like a sponge, absorbing information. “Working with an expert is great. He can answer any questions I have,” she says.
Epps could not be happier with the work she’s doing. She enjoys the level of client contact she has through meetings and phone calls, and loves working in a field through which she can impact lives.
“I love meeting new clients and then seeing their situations improve because of what we did,” she says.
Epps will also be teaching, like her mother, Felicia Epps, the associate dean at the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. This winter and spring, the younger Epps will be teaching an immigration law course for paralegals at Chattanooga State Technical Community College. She’s looking forward to passing on what she’s learned.
“We want to be a part of helping to develop successful paralegals at Chattanooga State,” she says. “I just hope they don’t call me Professor Epps. That’s my mom’s title.”
Both of Epps’ parents were in the military, so she “grew up all over,” although she was able to attend high school in Little Rock, Ark. The migratory nature of her youth made moving to Chattanooga easy, and the city’s amenities have her feeling like she’s finally found a hometown.
“It’s beautiful, the food is amazing, and there’s something to do every weekend,” she says. “Also, the people here are really nice. Whenever I leave, I can’t wait to come back.”
Although single, Epps stays busy outside the office. She meets with friends from her Sewanee days, visits her family in Little Rock, and does hot yoga daily on the North Shore.
“There’s a lot of sweating involved,” she says. “But I like it because it’s teaching me to regulate my body. I’m no expert, but it’s fun.”
A few short years ago, Epps didn’t envision herself doing yoga, or teaching, or living in Chattanooga. She didn’t picture herself being a lawyer, either. Life has taken her down a few unexpected paths, but what she’s found on each one has been to her benefit, and to the benefit of others. Life is far from done with her, though. More unexpected and fruitful paths surely lie ahead.