Our Team

At the Law Office of Ral Obioha, PLLC, we take a hands-on approach to managing your case. We are focused on the individuals and families. With us, you won’t be treated just as a case number. You will get to know us, as we get to know you. We offer a wide range of services in which we have resounding experience in. We are open, communicative, thorough, and invested in the positive outcome of your case. 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 almost 10 years of experience in the field of Immigration and Nationality law. During the course of her career as an Immigration Attorney, she has filed over 1000 cases, accompanied clients to 100s of interviews in various USCIS Field Offices, appeared at countless removal hearings and argued many motions. Ms. Obioha received her Juris Doctorate degree from Howard University School of Law and her Masters 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 including Comparative Law, International Law of Human Rights and International Economic Law. Eager to offer her legal expertise, Ms. Obioha served as a Student Attorney in the Fair Housing Clinic, where she represented impoverished D.C. residents. She expanded her body of work in the legal field by becoming a member of the International Moot Court Team; participating in the D.M. Harish International Moot Court Competition in Mumbai, India, where her team won the Best Advocates Award. As a law student, Ms. Obioha also interned with several law firms in Washington D.C., gaining extensive experience in Immigration Law and Civil Litigation. Prior to moving to Houston, Texas, Ms. Obioha worked at an esteemed boutique law firm in Washington, D.C. where she represented clients in immigration, personal injury law, business law, criminal appeals, as well as international legal matters. Before starting her own law firm, Ms. Obioha worked in one of the largest personal injury firms in Texas, where she represented clients in litigation concerning auto and 18-wheeler trucking accidents, company vehicle accidents, workplace accidents, premises liability accidents, and product liability accidents. Ms. Obioha is an avid and passionate advocate of family unity. She has dedicated her career to serving the immigrant community. Ms. Obioha has been recognized for her extensive knowledge in Immigration and Nationality law, as well as, her ability to keep abreast with the constant changes in law and policy. As an 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 was recently awarded the 2021 Texas Rising Star Award by Super Lawyers.

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 also periodically guest lectures at Columbia University, New York. 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 Young Alum Award, Eastern Mennonite University
2021 Texas Rising Stars, Super Lawyers

Staff

Dera Nwankwo

Paralegal and 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

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 the child of Mexican immigrants, Rebecca has witnessed the battle her parents went through to achieve their legal status in the United States. Their journey has encouraged her to help others with similar situations. She joined the Law Office of Ral Obioha, PLLC as Legal Assistant in 2018. When she’s not at work, Rebecca enjoys photography, spending time with friends and family, and discovering new places to eat in Houston. 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 currently attends the University of Houston, where she is studying Political Science with a minor in Law, Values, and Policy. She is expected to graduate by the Fall of 2020. 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 a good book, volunteering, spending quality time with friends and family, watching sports, and shopping. Paola is also fluent in Spanish and Italian.