Herbert Igbanugo is an attorney who helps others navigate the complex immigration process, and who advocates for other young lawyers from diverse backgrounds.
“If you are born in this country you take it for granted, but if you come from a third-world country, it’s a real life-and-death issue,” he says. “If you deport a man from the United States, you take away everything he’s got and everything he will ever have.”
Igbanugo came to the University of Minnesota in the 1980s as an exchange student from Nigeria, earning degrees in economics and international relations. He graduated from Hamline University School of Law in 1987, becoming one of the first Africans to earn admission to the Minnesota Bar. But when it came time to find a job, Igbanugo went on countless interviews with no luck.
“Back then, there was very little diversity in Minnesota law firms, hardly any black lawyers in the large firms, let alone a black African with an accent,” he recalls. “It was very difficult.”
A law school friend, Jeffrey Hassan, helped Igbanugo get his first law job, offering him a place at his firm, Hassan & Reed, so that he could build his own practice. Always fascinated by international issues, Igbanugo taught himself immigration law and put in the time and hard work to become one of Minnesota’s pre-eminent immigration attorneys during the past 20 years.
Igbanugo co-owned Blackwell Igbanugo, one of the largest black-controlled law firms in the country, before the partners went their separate ways in October 2006. These days, Igbanugo operates Igbanugo Partners International, PLLC, in Minneapolis, a seven-attorney practice that represents individuals in immigration and naturalization law, advises corporations on immigration issues, and works with U.S. businesses seeking to expand in sub-Saharan Africa through its international trade law division. Igbanugo represents Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and individuals on immigration and customs issues.
Igbanugo has never forgotten where he came from, and he makes a point of encouraging other immigrants to become attorneys. He often mentors young immigrants attending law school—and never forgetting the help he received earlier—provides them with internships or jobs.
