When Shernette Noyes graduated from law school in 2011, she imagined a promising career path ahead. But despite her credentials and relentless efforts to find work, she kept hearing the same thing: “You need more experience.” Job applications went unanswered, outreach to fellow attorneys hit dead ends, and the door to traditional opportunities remained firmly shut.
Rather than wait for someone else to give her a chance, Shernette created her own. In 2012, armed with faith, determination, and an unshakable belief in helping others, she launched Noyes & Associates — a Connecticut-based law firm rooted in immigration, personal injury, estate planning, and elder law. “It was scary and exciting,” she recalls. “I didn’t know where to start, but I knew I had to try.”
Her drive to help others comes from personal experience. Born in Jamaica, Shernette immigrated to the U.S. legally, but not without witnessing the pain, confusion, and financial hardship that many families face. “I saw people being taken advantage of, paying for help they never received,” she says. “I wanted to offer something better — a personal, compassionate legal experience that empowers people.”
Today, that mission is the foundation of Noyes & Associates. Clients are never just a case number. Shernette remembers names, personal stories, and always takes the time to educate clients on their options. Her husband, Juan Diron Santes, who joined the practice full-time in 2020, brings his own perspective as an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, making their approach even more holistic and relatable.
But the journey wasn’t without struggle. The early years were grueling. Shernette handled everything alone, and when marketing funds ran dry and big banks rejected her for loans, she wondered if she should give up. “It crushed my spirit,” she admits. “There were times I thought, maybe I should just find a job.”
Everything began to change when she was referred to the Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF) by a banker at M&T Bank. “It was a blessing,” she says. “Our business advisor at CEDF didn’t just look at our credit score. She saw our vision and believed in it.”
CEDF provided working capital that allowed Noyes & Associates to retain staff and even hire new team members at a critical time. More than that, the organization offered something Shernette hadn’t found elsewhere: strategic guidance. Together, they developed a five-year marketing plan and explored ways to expand the firm’s reach through podcasting and grassroots engagement.
One client’s journey continues to inspire Shernette: an undocumented woman who had survived domestic violence and came to her for help. With Shernette’s legal guidance, she was able to file her case, find stability, and eventually open her own daycare business. Today, the two women remain connected through a growing professional network, lifting others as they rise. “It’s not just about legal work,” Shernette says. “It’s about empowering people to take control of their futures.”
That same drive to uplift others led to the launch of Victorious Immigration for Children and Families, a nonprofit Shernette created to support women and children facing legal and life challenges. “We want people to feel triumphant — not just as survivors, but as victors,” she says.
Looking ahead, Noyes & Associates plans to expand with new office locations, create more jobs, and continue empowering families to achieve stability and even homeownership. “We want to incubate other businesses, connect clients to resources, and be a beacon in our community.” To fellow entrepreneurs, especially those who feel unseen or unheard, Shernette offers this advice: “Don’t give up. And if you’re looking for someone to believe in your business the way you do, reach out to CEDF. They look at the whole you, not just the numbers.”