Teresa’s own experience as the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants cultivated her desire to assist other immigrants early on in her life. This desire ultimately led her to her calling – to help immigrants navigate through the complexities of U.S. Immigration and Nationality Law.

Her immigration legal experience, commitment to her clients, and dedication to the legal profession has been recognized by the State Bar of Texas, Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers, Houstonia Magazine, H Texas Magazine, Texas Lawyer Magazine, Lawline, and Avvo.

While in law school, Teresa worked in Thailand for BPSOS Coalition to Abolish Modern-Day Slavery in Asia where she assisted refugees, survivors of torture, and victims of human trafficking in applying for refugee status, seeking appropriate legal remedies, and preparing for resettlement.

In addition, Teresa represented individuals, families, and children in their applications for asylum and refugee protection, special immigrant juvenile status, and deferred action (DACA) when she was a Student Attorney in the South Texas College of Law Asylum and Human Trafficking Clinic. Because of her volunteer work assisting immigrants and refugees while she was still a law student, she received the Pro Bono Honors Program Certificate by South Texas College of Law.

As an undergraduate at the University of Houston, she established a student organization that provided services such as English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, GED preparation, college admissions assistance, and clothing donations for refugees living in Houston. Teresa was later recognized by the Darfurian Association of Greater Houston for her volunteer contributions to the refugee community of Houston.

Teresa has written several immigration legal articles which have appeared in publications such as the Texas Bar Journal, Law360, and the University of Houston’s Online Law Journal. She has presented on immigration law topics for organizations such as the State Bar of Texas, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Katy Bar Association, the Houston Northwest Bar Association, the National Business Institute, and Lawline.

Teresa enjoys teaching and mentoring students. She has guest lectured a family immigration course at Thurgood Marshall School of Law and supervised law students at the South Texas College of Law Asylum and Human Trafficking Clinic. In addition, she has shared her advice about law school and law as a career to students at Sam Houston State University and Girl Scouts of Houston.

Teresa believes it is important to give back to her community. She has volunteered her immigration legal services at non-profit organizations such as YMCA International Services, United We Dream, and Kids in Need of Defense. Today, she is a board member of BPSOS (Boat People SOS) and committee member of the State Bar of Texas Laws Relating to Immigration and Nationality Committee. She received her Juris Doctor Degree from South Texas College of Law Houston and is admitted to the State Bar of Texas.