An Exclusive Interview with the Entrepreneur and Attorney Terfa Nisébini, CEO and Founder of Mirlex Law Firm
Terfa Nisébini is an entrepreneur and attorney who started a law firm immediately after graduating law school and has since then been running her own race. There is no doubt about her strong entrepreneurial drive and Mirlex law firm currently has offices in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Nyköping, and Örebro and will open in Uppsala, Västerås, Karlstad, and Eskilstuna – some of Sweden's largest cities, at the turn of the year 2020/2021. Terfa Nisébini has in a short time built a strong and fast-growing brand, something that is distinctive in its industry in human law. Her goal with Mirlex law firm is to gradually continue to grow in order to be able to offer help to even more vulnerable people in society.
Who is Terfa Nisébini?
– I am an entrepreneur and attorney living in Stockholm, Sweden. I originally come from Kurdistan but grew up in Sweden. I came to Sweden as a refugee with my family. In addition to my work, I am a mother and have two boys at the ages of 3.5 and 8 years. One of my closest heart issues besides my work and entrepreneurship is the non-profit work for the Kurdish issue and the freedom struggle.
You are both an Entrepreneur and an Attorney, what "came first" and what led you to those paths?
– I have always been an entrepreneur. I started a law firm immediately after graduating in law and has since then been running my own race - without a mentor or an older colleague to exchange ideas and thoughts with.
"For many, it was crazy and they shook their heads. And with the result in my hands, it was certainly crazy, even though it has de facto gone well. Today I probably had not taken the same path, but just then, it was completely natural for me who grew up in an entrepreneurial family."
– I learned everything myself from scratch, although of course it led to detours and long working days with reading and time in the courts to see how a trial works in practice. For many, it was crazy and they shook their heads. And with the result in my hands, it was certainly crazy, even though it has de facto gone well. Today I probably had not taken the same path, but just then, it was completely natural for me who grew up in an entrepreneurial family. I am also an attorney and have a burning commitment to helping people in vulnerable situations, so in answer to the question; I am first and foremost an entrepreneur but I am also an attorney who is passionate about human rights in society.
Tell us more about Mirlex Law firm. Who are your typical clients?
– I have been running Mirlex Law firm since 2016 and today we are presented with offices in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Nyköping and Örebro. During the turn of the year 2020/2021, we will also open up in Uppsala, Västerås, Karlstad and Eskilstuna. This means we will be presented in all the largest cities in Sweden. We work very broadly in human law with all kinds of goals. However, we are niched towards languages , and together at the agency, we master a large number of different languages. We also specialize in migration law but also family law such as custody disputes and criminal cases, especially violence in close relationships.
Do you have any other big goals for your Entrepreneurial journey?
– Lately, I have spent a lot of time creating a functioning law firm and functioning routines. We have grown incredibly fast since the start in 2016. It has been tough challenges for me as the sole owner of the company with such a rapid expansion that is probably considered distinctive in our industry in human law. Today we are 14 employees, 16 if I include extra staff. Today I am happy with what I have achieved and created.
My next goal is to expand the business further to other cities in Sweden and launch an online business connected to Mirlex.
In addition to Mirlex, I also have other projects as an entrepreneur. So my goal is to continue to grow and continue to be able to help people in vulnerable situations.
As an Attorney and Entrepreneur, what are your top 3 pieces of advice for someone who wants to start their own business within the legal field?
Make sure you know the law you are dealing with. Read, watch and then act.
Success requires hard work.
In the meantime - take care of yourself and your loved ones. Be present in the little moments that do not come back.
What would you say is and has been your most difficult challenge?
– My most difficult challenge has been and is time. That the time has not been enough with the agency's expansion, expansion of offices and employees, and the responsibility it entails. Not feeling sufficient as a manager, lawyer, mother, and partner.
Finding time to combine this has not been easy and is still a challenge today. It is a challenge to work practically as an attorney with the cases you undertake and to be able to develop as an attorney/in law and at the same time be an entrepreneur and look after the firm/company itself, as well as to guide and help the employees.
I have had a lot of help from my family and my husband who helps me cope with everyday life and I am grateful for that. I am also grateful for the fantastic Swedish childcare.
What is the most important thing you learned through your journey?
You can - if you want - everything is in your head.
Name: Terfa Nisébini
Age: 36 years
Family: Husband and two sons aged 3.5 and 8
Education: Bachelor of Laws at Stockholm University, 2010
Languages: Swedish, English and Kurdish
Work: CEO and Founder of Mirlex Law Firm, Attorney - Member of the Swedish Bar Association since November 2015
Mirlex Law Firm is a general law firm with a focus on human law. If you want to know more or need legal help, you can click here to learn more.
