For VOLS Microenterprise Project staff attorney Imran Hossain, his journey into public interest law was a surprise. As a law student at Boston College, Imran assisted small businesses through the school’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Clinic. Although the experience provided him with an introduction to small owners as clients, it wasn’t until working as a pro bono lawyer with the VOLS Microenterprise Project, that he got a better sense of what contributions he could make as an attorney. “At first, I didn’t know that there was a path to doing this type of work,” he said. “It is a very nuanced and a niche field. I was always interested in the public interest. However, I didn’t necessarily understand how it was going to manifest itself.”
With a desire to continue serving small business clients as a law firm associate, Imran sought the advice of the firm’s pro bono partner. Imran found that because the firm was flexible in offering diverse pro bono experiences, he was able to explore opportunities that touched upon his interests in the law. “As a lawyer, I try to make solutions between two parties, and I like to create value for both sides as opposed to the adversarial winner-takes-all approach that is required in litigation,” he said. Based on these conversations, the partner suggested Imran work with the VOLS Microenterprise Project’s small business clients.
During his first pro bono assignment, Imran further solidified his passion for supporting small businesses, particularly those run by immigrants and low-income New Yorkers. In helping a local rum cake company, Imran wasn’t just supporting his client’s dreams; he was learning about the client’s business and the passion with which she and her family developed and ran the business. When reflecting on the experience, Imran recalled:
“Helping the client was eye opening for me. There’s a level of nuance and sophistication that she brought to the table in terms of understanding her business and the business landscape. And then not only that, she’s bringing something from her grandmother’s culture into New York City. And I think that’s what makes this city, frankly, the greatest in the country. You have so many people from so many different walks of life bringing their experiences and sharing it. I think one of the ways that we see it manifest is through the food and the diversity and variety of food we have here. To help her make the company’s expansion possible was very fulfilling and gratifying for me.”
It was these personal connections with clients that inspired Imran’s decision to pursue public interest law in a greater capacity. “I love understanding people’s business ideas and their dreams. I think on that level, making it my day-to-day work was my goal.”
Yet his experience at a firm still provided him with the guidance needed to perfect his skills as an attorney. “The partners there really sit with you and help you understand things. And they were so helpful to contributing to my growth and development as a professional,” he said. One of these skills was his ability to identify resources quickly to assist clients with their problems. “My time at a firm gave me an appreciation of how important it is to know where to look for resources and what questions to ask. Then as an extension of that, I know where to start looking for resources to help clients.”
Now as a member of the VOLS Microenterprise Project, Imran is able to further build relationships with his individual clients while supporting advocacy efforts for the small business community as a whole. “I think that’s an intricate balance that you have to learn how to navigate as a public interest lawyer,” he said “Additionally, I’ve really started to understand that there’s a big public policy side of the small business arena that I wasn’t necessarily aware of.” Ultimately, when reflecting on his choice Imran added that “there’s no linear path. You kind of have to be creative and make your own.”
Microenterprise Project Director Arthur Kats said, “Imran joining our team is key to the Project’s ability to address critical needs for small business owners in the coming year. He brings relevant experience and perspective from one of VOLS’ partner law firms as well as a passion for the work centered on the client that is central to an effective public interest practice.”
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