Her Story
About Safiya
Safiya Byars is an accomplished immigration attorney, entrepreneur, and educator dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals, families, and businesses through trusted legal guidance. As the founder of The Byars Firm in Atlanta, she has spent more than 15 years helping clients navigate the complexities of U.S. immigration law, with a practice focused on family-based immigration, visa matters, and pathways to lawful permanent residency. Inspired by her own journey of immigrating from Kingston, Jamaica as an international student, Byars is passionate about helping others pursue new opportunities while building secure futures in the United States.
Byars earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law after graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in political science and history from the University of Montevallo. Admitted to the Georgia Bar in 2005, she has combined legal excellence with a commitment to education throughout her career, serving as a business law professor and mentoring emerging attorneys. She is an active leader within the legal community, having served as Chair of the Immigration Section of the State Bar of Georgia, co-chairing leadership initiatives for the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, and regularly presenting continuing legal education programs and community workshops on immigration law.
Recognized for her professional achievements and dedication to service, Byars has received numerous honors, including being named Immigration Attorney of the Year and earning recognition as one of Georgia Trend's Legal Elite attorneys. She is an active member of organizations including the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the State Bar of Georgia, and the Georgia Council of International Visitors. Whether representing clients, educating communities, or mentoring the next generation of legal professionals, Byars remains committed to her guiding philosophy of building meaningful success through opportunity, purpose, and service.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Safiya
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Get a mentor that has experience in the area of immigration law you want to go into. Immigration is very specific, always changing, and nuanced. A mentor provides practical advice you cannot get from CLEs, textbooks, or online.
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