Our Team

Name: Law Office of Ral Obioha, PLLC
Price range: $

At the Law Office of Ral Obioha, PLLC, in Houston, Texas we take a hands-on approach to managing your immigration case. We are passionately focused on individuals and families, especially those seeking US immigration services. With us, you won’t be treated as just another immigration status or a case number. You will get to know our immigration attorneys, as we get to know you. We offer a comprehensive range of US citizenship and immigration services backed by our vast experience. We are open, communicative, thorough, and invested in the positive outcome of your immigration process. Our team is multi-lingual and many us have personal experiences with the types of cases we are committed to. We understand how you feel and genuinely enjoy navigating the legal process with you.

Learn more about our team members below.

Ral Obioha, Esq. LLM

Principal Attorney

Ms. Ral Obioha is the founder and Principal Attorney at the Law Office of Ral Obioha, PLLC. She has over 12 years of experience in Immigration and Nationality law. Ms. Obioha received her Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law and her Master of Law Summa Cum Laude, in International Human Rights law, from American University Washington College of Law, both in Washington, D.C. She also received a dual bachelor’s degree in history and psychology Magna Cum Laude from Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia. While attending Howard University as a Merit Scholarship recipient, Ms. Obioha received CALI Awards for Academic Excellence in several courses. She also served as a Student Attorney in the Fair Housing Clinic, representing underprivileged D.C. residents. She participated in the D.M. Harish International Moot Court Competition in Mumbai, India, where her team won the Best Advocates Award.

Before starting her law firm, Ms. Obioha worked at various law firms, sharpening her legal prowess in Immigration law, civil litigation, personal injury law, business law, criminal appeals, as well as international legal matters.

Ms. Obioha is a passionate advocate of family unity. As a child of immigrants, she has dedicated her career to serving the immigrant community. Ms. Obioha has been recognized for her extensive knowledge of Immigration and Nationality law and her ability to keep up-to-date with the constant changes in law and policy. As a renowned Immigration Advocate, Ms. Obioha has been interviewed and featured by various media outlets, including CNN, Al Jazeera, Fox News, CBS News, and Houston Chronicles. She is a representative on the Texas State Bar Immigration and Nationality Council and an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Outside of work, Ms. Obioha enjoys spending quality time with her family, travel, and fine dining.

Activities

Ms. Obioha also serves as the Executive Director of Civil Resource Development and Documentation Center, an independent, non-governmental and not-for-profit organization established in 1996 for the protection and promotion of human rights and gender equality in Nigeria and beyond. Ms. Obioha also volunteers with Houston Volunteer Lawyers, Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative, BakerRipley, and Memorial Assistance Ministries. Ms. Obioha periodically guest lectures at institutions and conferences, including Yale University and Columbia University. Outside of work, Ms. Obioha enjoys spending quality time with her family, inspirational blogging, and fine dining.

Memberships & Professional Affiliations

Council Representative, State Bar of Texas Immigration & Nationality Law Section
Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association
Member, Texas Young Lawyers Association
Member, Nigerian American Lawyers Association
Member, Nigerian Lawyers Association

Admissions

State Bar of Texas
State Bar of Maryland
U.S. District for the Southern District of Texas
U.S. District for the Northern District of Texas

Education

Howard University School of Law, Washington, D.C. Juris Doctor.
American University Washington College of Law, Washington D.C. Masters of Law (International Human Rights Law) Summa Cum Laude.
Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, V.A. Dual Bachelor’s Degree (History and Psychology) Magna Cum Laude.

Languages

English
Igbo

Awards and Recognitions

2021 Outstanding Young Alum Award, Eastern Mennonite University
2021-2023 Texas Rising Stars, Super Lawyers

Adetokunbo Fashanu

Associate Attorney

Adetokunbo Fashanu was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She grew up in Nigeria and relocated to the United States when she was 16. She graduated from Cleveland- Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University, with a Dual Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration in December 2021. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology in 2016. There, she was on the dean’s Honor Roll multiple times. Adetokunbo grew up in a family of immigrants. She has witnessed her siblings and friends’ struggles to get an education and build a life in the U.S. This has propelled her career toward immigration law. Before joining the Law Office of Ral Obioha, PLLC, she worked as a Briefing and Research attorney at one of Texas’s largest personal injury firms. She also previously worked at the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, the Federal Public Defender’s Office in the Northern District of Ohio, and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office. Adetokunbo is licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio. She joined the Law Office of Ral Obioha, PLLC, in 2023. When she’s not at work, Adetokunbo enjoys spending time with her friends and family, art, music, and reading fiction. Adetokunbo is an advanced Yoruba speaker.

Staff

Dera Nwankwo

Office Manager

Dera Nwankwo was born in Nigeria. She graduated from Eastern Mennonite University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2017. She earned two minors in Psychology and Humanitarian action. There, she served as the President of the Black Student Union, Senator of the Student Government Association, and also played volleyball. As a naturalized U.S. citizen and a beneficiary of family immigration, Dera has both personal and professional experience with the rigors of U.S. immigration. She understands the importance of family unity and is incredibly passionate about helping others achieve the same. With years of experience working at various law firms, Dera joined the Law Office of Ral Obioha, PLLC in 2016. In her downtime, Dera enjoys spending time with family, playing volleyball, and learning about online trading. Dera is also fluent in Igbo.

Rebecca Ramirez

Senior Paralegal and Case Manager

Rebecca Ramirez was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2018. There, she was a part of the Honors College and earned a minor in Law, Values, and Policy. As a child of Mexican immigrants, Rebecca has witnessed the battle her parents went through to achieve legal status in the United States. Their journey has encouraged her to help others in similar situations. She joined the Law Office of Ral Obioha Law, PLLC in 2018 as a Legal Assistant. When she’s not at work, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her loved ones, photography, digital archiving, and consuming digital media. Rebecca is also fluent in Spanish.

Paola Lopez

Legal Assistant

Paola Lopez was born in Mexico and immigrated to the United States as a child. Houston, Texas has been her home ever since. She graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and with a minor in Law, Values, and Policy in 2022. As a first-generation immigrant, Paola has witnessed first-hand the adversity that individuals face when assimilating into a new country. Her journey through life as a Latina and an immigrant has inspired her to work closely with those that share in her mission to protect the rights of minorities and immigrants. She joined Ral Obioha Law, PLLC as Legal Assistant in 2020. In her spare time, Paola enjoys reading good books, volunteering, spending quality time with friends and family, watching sports, and shopping. Paola is also fluent in Spanish and Italian.