We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Aisha Thomas, MA, JD, CCIM a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Aisha , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from my faith in God, consistency and operating in my purpose. The ability to withstand or bounce back from challenges as they are presented is a reminder that I can overcome anything. For instance, I started both of my businesses in the midst of market uncertainty. In 2006, I opened my first real estate brokerage and then the market crashed. I passed the bar in 2020 during the height of the pandemic and had no choice but to open my firm. Despite the difficulties of those times, I was able to persevere and build brands in multiple markets.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
AJT Law Firm (AJT) is a commercial real estate, business, entertainment and alternative dispute resolution practice. In regard to real estate, my practice handles land use and zoning issues. AJT also structures commercial and residential real estate transactions by negotiating purchase and sales contracts, reviewing and securing favorable title insurance coverage, leading closings, sales and acquisitions, negotiating and drafting commercial leases, sale-leaseback transactions, strategic site selection and development, intergovernmental development agreements, public/private real estate partnerships, and property development. AJT Law also assists clients with establishing business entities, simple estate planning and arbitration and mediation.
AJT has recently expanded its practice area into entertainment law, specifically media and film. We have assisted film production companies and actors. We are excited to assist our clients with their creative endeavors. In every instance the goal of AJT Law is to provide the best, most cost-effective service to our clients.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Commercial Real Estate has less than one percent minorities and less than 5% of Attorneys are Black Women. For anyone who has an interest in an industry where they are in the minority, it is imperative to increase your skillset, network and volunteer, to gain practical experience and increased knowledge. I wrote an e-book, called Getting to the One Percent: A Beginner’s Resource for Commercial Real Estate, which shares my journey and provides information that I wish I had. Volunteering gave me access to individuals and rooms that I could not have paid my way into. I networked by joining and participating in industry specific organizations. Most business referrals come from colleagues. Lastly, be a lifelong learner by staying abreast of industry changes, current events and earning requisite certifications.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
As stated by the African Proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together”. I am always open to partnering or collaborating with other like-minded individuals. In regard to building legacies via real estate, I partner with for-profit and non-profit developers, lenders, investors and asset management companies. We can assist with acquisitions and dispositions. For brokerage assistance, contact The Thomas Agency at www.the-thomasagency.com or on IG at @thethomasagency.
As we expand into our new practice area, we are excited to represent upcoming directors, writers and actors in the media and film industry.
For legal assistance, contact AJT Law Firm at www.ajtlawfirm.com or on IG at @ajtlawfirm.
Contact Info:
- Website: wwww.aishajthomas.com
- Instagram: @aishajthomas
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aishajthomasbrand
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aishajthomas
- Twitter: @aishajthomasesq
Image Credits
Black Dress: Cutclosefilms Red Dress: Q11 Photography Other photos: Aisha J Thomas
