This week’s Meet a Mom feature is Hannah Hembree Bell and let me tell you, if you’re ever going through a divorce – this is who you want on your side! Hannah is a mom of four, she hosts a podcast, she’s totally relatable and is a resource and friend for women. You’ll learn more about how she can help should you need it, what she likes to do for fun and her favorite spot in Austin. Enjoy!
Hi Hannah! Thanks so much for chatting all things mom life with us! Can you tell us a bit more about yourself?
I’m Hannah Hembree Bell! I’ve lived in Austin for just over four years with my husband, Drew, and my four kids. We relocated here from San Antonio, though I’m originally from a small town in Northeast Texas. I’m a lawyer who helps people protect their kids, their money, and their business. Before law school, I owned and operated a recruiting firm for Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants. I guess you could say entrepreneurship is in my blood!
When I’m not busy running a law firm and hosting a podcast with my best friend (@lawmomsoutloud), I like to spend time outside (though not so much in this 100+ degree heat), read anything I can get my hands on, meditate, exercise, and write poetry.
So about that law firm – let’s hear more!
At Hembree Bell Law, we help you get on the road to living your best life by guiding you through the roadblocks of divorce and custody disputes and then helping you protect the life you’re building through comprehensive estate planning. We’ve been in business for four years and still feel like we’re just getting started!
Our firm’s philosophy is to approach real people with real solutions to real problems. You won’t find me talking over people’s heads or acting like I’m better because I have a law degree. I tell clients all the time, “I’m a real person who happens to be a lawyer, not the other way around.” We meet people where they are and try to break down the legal process in a way that’s understandable and approachable. I guess that goes hand-in-hand with my personal motto: If not me, who? I’ve always had a strong sense of responsibility, courage, and compassion. I hope each person, opposing party, judge, process server, lawyer—you name it—that we interact with leaves with that impression.
As far as my “why” for starting the firm, between my second and third year of law school, I went through a difficult and messy divorce. I borrowed against my then-paid off car to piece together enough money for a retainer. The money ran out fast. I ended up accepting bad terms in the divorce and was uninformed about the consequences of that decision. Those consequences led to a multi-year custody modification that required more of me than I can probably convey in an online feature.
Even though I had graduated law school by then, it was hard to find a lawyer who was up to the task of dealing with my situation. I tried to handle it by myself (with the help of some friends) at first, but it became pretty clear that I was out of my depth. Fortunately, my kids’ therapist sent me to an amazing lawyer who is now a lifelong friend. If I hadn’t found my lawyer, the jury never would have heard mine and my kids’ story. They never would have understood what had happened and why the change was essential.
After it was over and a little time had passed, I realized that I had no other choice but to become the lawyer I’d wished I had from the beginning. It was my duty to help explain to other women (and good guys!) what I didn’t understand about the divorce and custody process; I had to encourage them and help them avoid the mistakes I’d made along the way. Everyone thought I was crazy for leaving the big firm to jump into the family law deep end. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it.
We’re all about giving moms the gift of time – any tips?
The best time saving tip of all is to delegate everything you possibly can. If you have the resources, offloading house cleaning, laundry, help with meals, etc. really frees you up to pursue the highest and best use of your time. I also try to do as many “two-fers” as possible, like going on a walk while calling a friend (exercise plus connection) or watching a movie with the kids while we fold clothes (tackling a chore plus quality time).
Favorite restaurant in Austin?
Easy! Definitely Licha’s in East Austin – the vibe, the margaritas, the food – to.die.for.
Here’s a fun one – if you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? How long would you stay?
I am actually doing that this November! We are headed to Peru to eat our way through Lima, hike to Machu Picchu, and whitewater raft in Cusco. We’ll be in Airbnbs for most of the trip, with one night in a tent on our two-day hike! So excited!
Anything else you’d like to share with South Austin Moms?
We are really putting our heart and soul into our podcast Law Moms Out Loud where we help lawyer moms grow as moms, lawyers, and people. We host a live show every Friday at 12:15 pm Central. Everyone is welcome – whether you’re a law mom, a law mom supporter, a dog mom, or heck, even have a mom! You’re sure to enjoy and benefit from the conversations. We tackle everything from relationship to time saving hacks to current events to deep soul-level questions. Come join the fun! @lawmomsoutloud on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram – or subscribe to the podcast on Apple or Spotify!
