What began as a dream to study law abroad became a lifelong connection to KU and the Kansas City legal community for international alumnus Bander Almohammadi.

When Bander Almohammadi first arrived in Lawrence from his hometown of Medina, Saudi Arabia, he carried more than just a suitcase. He brought determination, a young family, and a vision of becoming a lawyer who could bridge cultures. Today, Bander is an attorney and adjunct professor in Kansas City who still calls Lawrence home and still sees himself as a Jayhawk.

“I was drawn to KU because of its strong reputation in international education as well as the law,” Almohammadi said. “The welcoming environment for international students and the chance to study in the Midwest really stood out to me. I knew KU would provide not only a world-class education but also a supportive environment where I could grow academically and personally.”

Building a foundation in Lawrence

Almohammadi completed his undergraduate degree in Saudi Arabia before coming to KU School of Law to pursue a Master of Laws (LLM). 

He later earned his Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD), which is equivalent to a PhD, before completing a Juris Doctor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

“Lawrence felt like a true college town. I was struck by how friendly people were and how the community embraced students from around the world. It immediately felt like a place where I could belong, even though it was far from home,” he said.

When he first arrived, Almohammadi had two children. Now he and his wife are raising four. Even as his professional life has taken him to Kansas City, he has stayed rooted in Lawrence. “Lawrence is in my heart. Even though I am working at UMKC as an attorney, I live here. It feels like home.”

Learning the language and the law

Almohammadi arrived with only a basic understanding of English. “It was a big challenge for me. At the beginning I had to ask students and friends to translate for me from English to Arabic. But at the same time, I was working hard because I needed to learn English to pursue my legal career.”

He began at the Applied English Center (AEC) and practiced reading, giving presentations, and joining conversation groups. “If you don’t talk, you will never learn anything,” he said. “People sometimes have phobia of making an embarrassing mistake, but no, that is not the way you learn. Make a mistake, that’s fine. Talk, do whatever you can do in that situation. You can improve yourself.”

Over time, what once felt like a barrier became a strength. Almohammadi says his ability to navigate across languages and cultures is now one of his professional assets.

Finding support and community

Almohammadi is quick to credit KU’s resources with helping him succeed. The faculty and staff became like a supportive family to him. “I am still in touch with some of the teachers and staff from he AEC. We meet every once in a while. They helped me become who I am today.”

He also leaned on KU’s student organizations, both to improve his English and to build leadership skills. He was elected president of the Saudi Student Organization, served as a student senator, represented KU at the state capitol in Topeka, and sat on the university’s judicial appeals board.

“I always encourage people to get involved with student organizations because you are going to speak English every day or at least every week outside of your classes,” he said. “You improve your skills in speaking and also listening as well.”

The faculty, he added, were “amazing,” as was the staff at International Support Services. “They help people all the time to overcome any challenges they have. I am beholden to every single one of them. KU is still in my heart.”

Preparing for the bar and beyond

Like many law students, Almohammadi found his first year intimidating. “In law school you have to understand all the terminology, how the class works, how to read cases, how to brief cases, how to get involved with classmates and professors.”

KU’s mentoring program, which pairs upper-level students with new students, and faculty support helped him navigate law school. He also benefited from KU Law’s free bar preparation program. “It is very important for all students to be prepared for the bar. KU helped me pass the bar, which was a big challenge.”

With faculty feedback and months of practice, Almohammadi passed the bar and launched his career. He now practices law, teaches LLM students at UMKC, and has completed more than 200 cases in the Kansas City area in just two years.

Giving back through pro bono and mentoring

For Almohammadi, success is inseparable from service. “I feel like a privileged person to be able to be who I am today. Pro bono work is a way to give back to the community that welcomed me. Access to justice should not depend on someone’s ability to pay.”

He volunteers at the courthouse in downtown Kansas City, guiding people through civil procedures, and earned pro bono certificates from KU and UMKC, spending more than 100 hours helping others while still a student. He also serves as associate editor and pro bono member of the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyer Division and as publication chair for the Kansas Bar Association’s Young Lawyer Section. 

Almohammadi shares guidance on social media in Arabic to help prospective students understand how to study law in the United States and avoid common pitfalls. One of his TikTok videos has reached more than 200,000 views. “My friend encouraged me to use TikTok because a lot of people in the Middle East rely on it,” he said. “I have a lot of experience and knowledge that I can share to help them.”

Lessons for future Jayhawks

Asked what advice he would give incoming international students, Almohammadi points to the same resources that helped him: the AEC for language learning, the Writing Center for writing, International Support Services for immigration issues, and student organizations for community and leadership.

“The community in Lawrence is fantastic,” he said. “It is safe and quiet. It is not a big town with many distractions. You can focus on your studying and be successful. We have all the things we need to succeed.”

Carrying KU values forward

Looking back, Almohammadi is amazed at how far he has come, from nervous first-year student to attorney, professor, and community volunteer. “If I share my stories with people, I feel I can inspire many to achieve their goals and not give up with any challenges in their lives. We have ups and downs, we have obstacles. But with perseverance we can overcome them.”

For Almohammadi, being a Jayhawk is not just a memory:

“Being a Jayhawk means being part of a lifelong family. I am still in touch with many professors and staff at KU. KU shaped me into the lawyer and the person I am today, and being a Jayhawk will always mean carrying those values of learning, resilience, and service wherever I go.”

— Bander Almohammadi