Danielle Atchison

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Associate, Mdivani Corporate Immigration Law Firm

Location: Kansas City

Practice Areas: Corporate immigration law

Law School: University of Missouri-Kansas City

Danielle Atchison recalled being able to reunite an immigrant mother and daughter after the mom had been abused and lied to by her partner.

“I am so grateful to be a part of a team which helped to give this mother freedom through the Violence Against Women Act and then peace by assisting in getting her daughter to the States to join her,” she said.

Pro bono stories like that one come easily for Atchison, who works diligently to give happy endings to those who need her help.

A recipient of the Missouri Lawyers Media Women’s Justice Award for pro bono work and the Missouri Bar Tom Cochran Community Service Award, she still finds time to teach as an adjunct professor at her alma mater.

She also provides representation to those whose financial situations, immigration status and language barriers can make them easy prey for abusers.

What is something that would surprise people about you?

I was in a rap duo from middle school to freshman year. My stage name was “Turkey.” Our most popular performance was in health class, where we turned Blu Cantrell’s hit song “Hit ’Em Up Style (Oops!)” into a song about the food pyramid.

If you hadn’t become a lawyer, what profession would you have chosen?

It’s hard to say. My undergraduate degree is in political science. I thought I might work in politics or continue the academic path and become a professor. I also spent 12 years in the service industry and had a period where I thought I’d buy a restaurant and make pies and fried chicken for a living.

Currently, I daydream about having a flower shop where I can make beautiful arrangements all day.