Less than a tiny fraction of one percent of foster children go on to receive a law degree, pass the bar exam, and become a practicing attorney. In 2008, I Exavier Brandon Pope, Esquire became a part of that elite group. However, I have been ashamed of being foster child my whole life. I kept it largely a secret until I met Victoria and the wonderful people of the Rowell Foster Children Positive Plan organization.

My mother was a prostitute serving jail time for her pimp, my father, when she gave birth to my twin sister and I. By the blessings of the Lord we were delivered to the front door at six weeks old to Emma Lily Mitchell, my foster mother and a tremendous woman that taught me to love God, treat everyone fairly, and have confidence that I would be a great man. Unfortunately my foster mother passed away when I was age 14 and I was left to fend for myself. 

The transition to adulthood for me and many other foster youth was and is the hardest part of having no parental guidance. It is an issue largely understudied. Without any true guidance coupled with immaturity I flunked out my first semester of college and wound up homeless. However, my determination to make my foster mother proud of me made me get back into college. I went on to attain two Bachelors of Science degrees; one in Economics, the other in Finance from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Two years later I started law school at Rutgers School of Law finishing up at Pepperdine School of Law. 

Up to the point where I arrived at Pepperdine, I prided myself on not needing anyone. Since I have met Victoria Rowell I have realized that the help of others help dreams come true. Sharing my story led to RFCPP granting me a $5,000 scholarship to finish my last year of law school. Releasing the burden of being ashamed of my upbringing was just as great a blessing as receiving the scholarship. 

I am forever thankful to Victoria, and she continues to be an inspiration and a dear friend. I now embrace being a success story. I have leaped over my last hurdle and I have sprinted to the finish line. Now I can stand on the podium and shout my story of inspiration and become a beacon of hope for countless numbers of people. 

My practice areas include Entertainment/Sports, E-Commerce/New Media, Copyright/Trademarks, Residential/Commercial Real Estate, Consumer & Business Credit/Bankruptcy, Corporate/Finance, and Tax, with a hint of Civil Litigation. 

If there is a lawyer that can be with a client in the trenches, I feel as if because of my experiences I am one of the best to fight that battle.

Thanks again Victoria

Exavier B. Pope, Esq.
Attorney-At-Law