Advocacy grounded in preparation, service, and lived immigrant experience.

Background

Education, awards, recognition, and public service.

Ernest earned his J.D. from St. John's University, a Master of Public Administration from the City University of New York at Baruch College, and a bachelor's degree in Political Science with Honors from the City University of New York at Queens College.

He received the Ron H. Brown Academic Merit Scholarship and a CALI Award in Employment Discrimination. The National Black Lawyers Association recognized Ernest among its Top 40 Under 40 in 2017. In 2018, the American Institute of Legal Advocates recognized him as a rising star attorney, and Super Lawyers recognized him as a Rising Star in 2020.

Ernest completed an externship with the United States Department of Labor Office of the Solicitor, served as a law clerk at Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, and worked as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Alison Krehbiel in Minnesota's Fifth District Court. He was a Pro Bono Fellow at Howrey LLP and a Certified Student Attorney while in law school.

Ernest has volunteered with The Advocates for Human Rights and served as a pro bono attorney with Immigrant Law Center and Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. He represents clients pursuing relief before Immigration Court and handles adjustment of status, naturalization, U visas, VAWA matters, DACA, I-9, I-130, asylum, removal defense, diversity visas, employer-based immigration, family law, and criminal law matters.