7324 Southwest Freeway, Suite 595 Houston, TX 77074

Meet the Team

Leading with Passion & Purpose

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 of us have personal experiences with the types of cases we handle. We understand how you feel and genuinely enjoy navigating the legal process with you.

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.

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.

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

Memberships & Professional Affiliations

  • Former 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

Activities

Ms. Obioha also serves as the Executive Director of the Civil Resource Development and Documentation Center, an NGO established in 1996 to protect and promote 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 also periodically guest lectures at colleges and universities. Outside work, Ms. Obioha enjoys spending quality time with her family, traveling, and fine dining.

Languages

  • English
  • Igbo

Awards and Recognitions

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

Excellence Through Teamwork

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.

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.

Paola Lopez

Paralegal

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.

Stephanie Acosta

Legal Assistant

 


Stephanie is born and raised in Houston, Texas. She graduated from San Jacinto College with an Associate of Science in Natural Science in 2023. There, she was part of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She comes from a Mexican family that immigrated to the United States. Although it was not easy, her parents were able to obtain legal status. Through her life story, hard work and dedication, she wants to help those in similar situations. Her ultimate goal is to help others in as many ways as possible. She joined the Law Office of Ral Obioha Law, PLLC in 2024 as a legal assistant. In her free time, Stephanie likes to spend family time, go shopping and explore the nature. Stephanie is also fluent in Spanish.

Lorena Jimenez

Legal Assistant

Lorena was born in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Houston Community College in 2021. As a child of immigrants, Lorena has witnessed the struggles her parents have faced to achieve legal status in the United States. Outside of the workplace, Lorena enjoys listening to music, going on walks, reading, trying out crafts, consuming digital media, and spending time with family.
Lorena is also fluent in Spanish.