Determined does not even begin to describe Tewodros “Teddy” Mengistu, a man whose journey from Ethiopia to the United States legal system is marked by resilience, purpose and an unwavering commitment to the people he serves.
Straight out of high school, Mengistu attended Haramaya University School of Law in Ethiopia, where he earned his LL.B.
“Becoming an attorney wasn’t something I understood deeply at first,” he said. “It began as a dream shaped by admiration.”
Growing up, Mengistu said he was inspired by courtroom dramas and the dignity with which judges and lawyers carried themselves. But once he started law school, that changed.
“I realized that law is not just about prestige or arguments; it’s about people,” he said. “That realization transformed my initial curiosity into a deep and lasting passion for the profession.”
In Ethiopia, Mengistu served as a public prosecutor and legal expert for the Addis Ababa City Administration in the capital city of Ethiopia. He later became licensed to practice law at all levels of the federal courts, representing clients in both civil and criminal matters.
“Those experiences gave me firsthand insight into how the law shapes lives, communities and institutions, and they inspired me to expand my legal understanding beyond national borders,” he said.
Driven by his commitment to serve people across borders and cultures, Mengistu made the bold and strategic choice to practice law in the U.S.
A new beginning
“One of the biggest challenges I faced was rebuilding my legal career in a new country,” he said. “As someone who was already licensed and had practiced law in Ethiopia, including serving as a public prosecutor, it was humbling to begin again from the ground up.”
Unlike many internationally trained lawyers who pursue the LL.M. first, Mengistu chose to begin with the J.D. program at Stetson University College of Law.
“I wanted to build a strong foundation in U.S. law, gain practical experience and qualify for the bar before advancing into specialized international studies,” he said.
Mengistu chose Stetson Law because, as a nationally recognized leader in trial advocacy and legal writing, the school aligned with his professional goals.
“Coming from an international background, I wanted a law school that combined academic rigor with practical training and genuine support,” he said. “Stetson offered exactly that.”
Mengistu found a supportive community of professors and staff who guided him through his transition into the U.S. legal system, eventually helping him connect with an alum for an internship opportunity.
“My experience at Stetson Law was truly transformative,” he said. “From the moment I joined, I felt welcomed into a community that values excellence, integrity and mentorship.”
After earning his J.D. and passing the bar, Mengistu returned to the law school again for his LL.M. in international law with an emphasis in international business transactions.
“The LL.M. helped me grow as a lawyer in every sense,” he said. “It deepened my understanding of international and comparative law and strengthened my ability to analyze legal issues across different jurisdictions. It also reinforced my belief that lawyers can bridge legal systems to promote justice, fairness and opportunity across borders.”
He describes his LL.M. courses as both rigorous and practical, blending theory with real-world application.
His passion for immigration law took shape, allowing him access to legal clinics, student organizations and workshops within his field of study.
“I had the privilege of taking Immigration Trial Advocacy with one of the best immigration attorneys I’ve ever learned from,” he said.
That attorney was Arturo Rios. After years of working as an immigration attorney, Mengistu says he still uses the techniques Rios taught him.
“That course, along with my placement in the Immigration Law Clinic, gave me invaluable firsthand experience handling real immigration cases and working directly with clients,” Mengistu said.
In just three and a half years after arriving in the U.S., Mengistu completed his J.D., earned his LL.M. with honors, passed the Florida Bar and began practicing law — a feat that speaks volumes about his drive and discipline.
“When I look back, I sometimes wonder how I did it,” he said.
Saving lives and creating futures
Today, Mengistu practices immigration and nationality law in Clearwater, Florida, focusing on family-based immigration and removal defense before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals.
His work centers on helping individuals and families navigate the most challenging moments of their lives, including seeking protection, reunification with family and stability in a new country.
“Every case tells a story of courage, resilience and hope. My role often goes beyond legal representation,” he said. “It requires compassion, cultural understanding and the ability to translate someone’s life experience into a legal narrative that decision makers can understand and empathize with.”
While immigration law can be demanding and emotionally charged, Mengistu said it is also one of the most rewarding areas of practice.
“Every day brings an opportunity to make a tangible difference in someone’s life — to help a parent reunite with a child, to secure protection for someone facing danger or to give a family peace of mind and belonging.”
Having gone through the immigration process himself, Mengistu understands the hopes, fears and strength it takes to rebuild a life in a new country.
“That shared experience helps me connect with my clients and fuels my determination to fight for them,” he said. “Each success feels personal, not just a professional victory, but a shared milestone in someone’s journey toward stability and hope.”
When asked why he chose immigration law, Mengistu said he genuinely loves what he does and shared his positivity.
“The law, at its best, is an instrument of hope,” he said. “For me, every day in this profession is a reminder that I’m not just practicing law; I’m helping people find a place to belong.”
His advice for foreign-trained attorneys looking to practice in the U.S. is to embrace the journey with confidence, discipline and purpose.
“The U.S. legal system is among the most sophisticated and dynamic in the world. Success here calls for an understanding of history, psychology, culture and how communities think and communicate,” he said. “Once you embrace that, you stop seeing yourself as an outsider and begin to recognize the value of the global perspective you bring.”
Mengistu said foreign-trained attorneys need to believe in the strength of their international background.
“The perspective you bring from your home country, combined with your ability to adapt across cultures and languages, is your greatest asset,” he said.
