About Brent
Brent Hessel studied international affairs before turning to law. He earned a Master of Arts in International Politics from American University in 2003 and stayed at the same school to complete his Juris Doctor in 2007. The combination of graduate study and legal training shaped an early interest in the cross-border questions that often surface in immigration work.
He began his legal career in the field that would define much of his practice. In 2011 he worked as an associate at Immigration & Naturalization Lawyers. The following year he took on a leadership role as managing lawyer at Hessel Law, a practice he established and runs in Tennessee. Over time he moved from a staff position to running his own firm, overseeing both casework and the day-to-day operations of a small practice.
Hessel is licensed to practice in Tennessee. He joined the American Immigration Lawyers Association in 2011 and maintains that membership. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Tennessee World Affairs Council, a role he has held since 2011. That combination of bar activity and civic engagement aligns with his academic background in international politics.
His practice focuses on immigration matters. He represents clients in a range of proceedings, including removal defense and family-based immigration petitions. He also handles naturalization applications and various nonimmigrant and immigrant visa matters for individuals and small employers. He works with clients from different countries and backgrounds, managing cases that move through both administrative and court processes.
Colleagues and clients describe him as methodical and pragmatic in handling sometimes-complex immigration problems. He prepares filings, cultivates relationships with agency staff when appropriate, and represents clients at hearings. He balances the paperwork and procedural elements of immigration law with the interpersonal side of advising people on life-changing legal steps.
Outside the office Hessel keeps ties to the broader community of international affairs. His board work at the Tennessee World Affairs Council involves programming and outreach related to foreign policy and global issues. Those activities reflect an ongoing interest in how international events influence individuals and families who come through his office.
Hessel Law operates in Tennessee and serves clients on civil immigration matters. He continues to represent individuals in removal proceedings, family petitions, naturalization cases, and employment-related visa matters, maintaining an active immigration practice in the state.
