Meet Nina Khaimova, an accomplished
attorney whose career is defined by heart, integrity, and over a decade of
dedication to her clients. Licensed to practice law in New York, as well as in
the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York,
Nina brings both expertise and empathy to every case she handles.
In 2019, she founded The Law
Office of Nina Khaimova, P.C., a practice built on three guiding principles
– honesty, integrity, and accessibility. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to
protect her clients’ interests with professionalism and compassion, ensuring
that every person who walks through her door feels heard, respected, and
supported.
Nina’s academic path reflects the
same drive that defines her professional life. She graduated magna cum laude
from St. John’s University with a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies and went
on to earn her Juris Doctor from Touro Law Center in 2012.
Beyond her career, to those who
know her, Nina isn’t just a lawyer – she is a woman of strong faith, belief,
and gratitude toward G-d, with deep dedication to her family, children,
clients, and community.
– Nina, what drew you to law in the
first place – and when did you realize this wasn’t just a career, but your true
calling?
– My
parents. Initially, I wanted to go into medicine and become a pharmacist, like
many of my peers. But my father once pointed out that I have a strong sense of
fairness and a fighter in me, and he suggested that I should become an
attorney. I took my father’s advice, along with my mother’s support, and
decided to try the legal career route. From then on, my parents – and later my
husband, in-laws, and siblings – supported me in all aspects to make this goal
a real achievement. I am forever grateful to my parents and family for their
endless support.
– Law can be intense and
emotionally demanding. How do you stay grounded and bring empathy into your
work?
– Yes,
it is emotionally demanding and, at times, stressful, with the pressure of
achieving a favorable result for the client. It is important for me to always
remember that every case I handle makes a difference in my clients’ lives.
Whether it is a real estate purchase or sale, preparing an estate plan, or
litigating a matter in court, the result and outcome will impact a client’s
life in a meaningful way.
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– As an Orthodox Bukharian Jewish
woman and a mother, how do you manage to balance such a demanding legal career
with family life?
– Time
management is key. In our current society, it is very easy to be distracted by
our phones and social media. Belief in Hashem and strong family values are
non-negotiables. Observing the Jewish mitzvot creates discipline and order in
our lives and in the lives of our children.
Balance
is certainly a key word in your question. Time has to be set aside for work,
and time has to be set aside for family, spouse, and attention to the kids.
While that can be a struggle, the fact that my children see their parents
working hard adds to the values with which they are raised. It teaches
appreciation and helps them understand that things are earned, not simply
given.
– Many women struggle with the idea
of “having it all.” What does balance mean to you personally – and has that
meaning evolved over time?
– I
strongly believe in the principle that there is always a price – an effort – to
pay for everything we have. It takes effort to build a family, great effort to
obtain a legal degree and pursue a career as an attorney, and continued effort
to preserve a strong marriage and meaningful family relationships. I don’t
believe anything is handed to us on a silver platter.
If
someone is blessed with “having it all,” then Baruch Hashem, that is
truly a blessing. However, I don’t think any of us truly “have it all.” Many of
us face our own individual challenges. While on the outside it may appear as
though we have it all – such as through a perfect Instagram page – it is
important to acknowledge that each of us endures struggles and pain, especially
as women.
– Your firm is built on honesty,
integrity, and accessibility. How do you bring those values into daily
practice, beyond just words?
– Honesty
was instilled in me from a young age through my grandparents’ and parents’
ethics. I don’t believe honesty can be explained in words; it must be witnessed
and experienced through working with me as an attorney. Over the years, I have
seen that honesty attracts more clients and elevates the firm, while the
opposite could be catastrophic to a practice.
Integrity
and ethics are core values of the legal profession. Clients want to retain
attorneys they can trust – attorneys who will handle matters within the law and
ethical boundaries, without cutting corners.
I also
make sure my clients know that I am just a phone call or text message away.
Accessibility is crucial for clients trying to resolve legal matters. Making
time for meetings and updates goes a long way in building trust.
– Would you encourage the next
generation, especially young women, to pursue a career in law today? What
advice would you give them?
– Yes,
absolutely. I am often asked, “Do you think you can be an attorney and still
have a family and time for your kids?” The answer is yes. Is it hard? Yes. Is
it doable? Yes.
If law
is not what you truly want to pursue, then don’t. But if you want both a
successful career and a family, nothing should stand in the way. No excuses, no
complaints. My advice is simple: go for it. Buckle up and prepare yourself for
bumps along the road. Build strength and resilience.
There
will be people who discourage you and say insensitive things. That toughness is
meant to prepare you. A lawyer must stand strong and assertive before a judge,
opposing counsel, and clients alike. When you come out on the other side, the
sense of accomplishment makes it all worthwhile.
– Looking back, what core value or
moment defines who you are – both as an attorney and as a woman?
– For a
woman who is an attorney, that defining moment isn’t a single courtroom
victory. It’s the first time we realize we can hold our ground – ethically,
intellectually, and emotionally – even when it would have been easier, or
safer, to let things go. Speaking up when silence was expected. Representing a
client thoroughly when the outcome was unpopular. Saying, “This isn’t right,”
despite hierarchy, bias, or risk. Learning that being “difficult” was sometimes
just being correct.
As an
attorney, that value shows up as rigor, preparation, and an unwillingness to
cut corners, especially when no one is watching.
As a
woman, it shows up as self-trust: understanding that credibility doesn’t come
from approval, and strength doesn’t require permission. At the same time,
staying humble and remembering to remain grounded are equally important values
– because real strength is balanced by humility.
The Law Office of Nina Khaimova, P.C.
Call Us: 718-808-9961
85-15 Main St., Suite 4, Briarwood NY 11435
info@khaimlaw.com
Interview by Zoya Aminov
Photographer: Leya Yusupov
