Today we’d like to introduce you to Adetokunbo “Toki” Oduneye.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey into immigration law is deeply personal and shaped by lived experience. I come from a family of immigrants, and growing up, I saw firsthand how transformative and overwhelming the immigration process can be. That early exposure planted a seed long before I ever set foot in a law school classroom.
I pursued my undergraduate studies at The Ohio State University, where I earned a dual degree in Political Science and International Relations. Those studies helped me understand how global movement, policy, and law intersect with real human lives. I went on to earn my Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in Dallas, Texas, where my passion for advocacy truly took shape.
During law school, I immersed myself in hands-on legal work. I interned with Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, representing clients in landlord-tenant and family law matters, and worked as a research assistant conducting comparative legal research on national and international laws. Those experiences sharpened my research, writing, and advocacy skills and reinforced my desire to practice in an area of law where I could make a meaningful difference.
After law school, I worked at several law firms focusing primarily on immigration law. I represented clients before agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Labor, and Department of State, handling everything from family-based petitions to complex employment-based cases for professionals, physicians, universities, hospitals, and businesses. Over time, I developed a reputation for being thorough, strategic, and deeply invested in my clients’ outcomes.
Eventually, I felt called to build something of my own, something rooted in service, integrity, and advocacy. That vision led me to found Oduneye Law Firm, where I now serve as Principal Attorney. Today, my practice focuses on both employment-based and family-based immigration, including extraordinary ability cases, national interest waivers, physician immigration, and humanitarian matters. I take pride in guiding clients through an often confusing system and helping them see a clear path forward.
What continues to drive me is the belief that immigrants are the lifeblood of this country. Immigration law is complex, high-stakes, and deeply human. My goal has always been to give my clients not just legal representation, but a voice, especially in moments when the system feels impersonal or stacked against them. Looking back, every step of my journey, from my family’s story to my education, training, and professional experiences has prepared me for this work. And I remain grateful every day for the opportunity to stand alongside individuals and families as they pursue their dreams in the United States.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Like many entrepreneurial and purpose-driven journeys, mine has been shaped as much by challenges as by successes.
One of the most difficult aspects has been family separation. Immigration law is deeply personal for me, and building a career and business in this space has meant spending long periods away from loved ones. Balancing professional obligations with the emotional weight of separation is something that never fully disappears, it becomes something you learn to carry while still showing up for your clients.
There were also financial challenges, particularly in the early stages of my career and building my practice. Starting and sustaining a law firm requires significant investment, patience, and faith, often before financial stability catches up with the work being done. Like many small business owners, I had to make sacrifices, take calculated risks, and remain disciplined while navigating uncertainty.
Despite these challenges, the struggles have also been grounding. They have shaped how I practice law, how I lead, and how I connect with my clients. They’ve reinforced my commitment to empathy, clarity, and advocacy, and reminded me why this work matters. The road hasn’t been easy, but it has been meaningful and I would not trade the lessons it has taught me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Oduneye Law Firm, PLLC?
Oduneye Law Firm is an immigration law practice built on advocacy, precision, and purpose. We focus exclusively on U.S. Immigration and Nationality Law, which allows us to go deep rather than broad. Our work centers on helping individuals, families, professionals, and institutions navigate a system that is complex, high-stakes, and constantly evolving.
We are particularly known for our work in employment-based immigration, including extraordinary ability petitions, national interest waivers, physician and healthcare-related cases, and other professional visa matters. At the same time, we maintain a strong commitment to family-based and humanitarian immigration, because immigration is never just about paperwork, it’s about people, families, and futures.
What sets us apart is our strategic and highly personalized approach. We do not operate as a volume-based practice. Every case is treated as unique, and we spend the time necessary to understand our clients’ backgrounds, goals, and long-term plans. We are known for clear communication, meticulous case preparation, and honest guidance, even when the answer is not what a client hopes to hear.
We also bring a human lens to our work. Many of our clients come to us during moments of uncertainty or vulnerability. Because immigration law is deeply personal to us, we prioritize empathy without compromising legal rigor. We believe clients deserve to understand their options, risks, and timelines, and we make it a point to demystify the process as much as possible.
From a brand perspective, what I am most proud of is our reputation for integrity and advocacy. Our firm is known for being responsive, detail-oriented, and willing to take on complex cases that require creativity and persistence. We don’t promise shortcuts, but we do promise diligence, transparency, and commitment.
What I want readers to know is that Oduneye Law Firm is more than an immigration practice, we are partners in our clients’ journeys. Whether we are helping a professional build a career in the U.S., reuniting a family, or guiding someone through a difficult legal transition, our goal is always the same: to provide strong representation while treating people with respect, care, and honesty.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my favorite childhood memories is growing up in Kaduna, in Northern Nigeria. It was a time filled with freedom, simplicity, and a strong sense of community. After school, I was almost always outdoors, running around open spaces, feeling safe, and having the kind of childhood where exploration felt endless.
I remember climbing guava trees, plucking mangoes straight from the branches, roasting cashew nuts and enjoying the fruit, and digging up tiger nuts from the ground, washing them off and eating them fresh or roasting them later. Those little moments felt exciting and joyful at the time, even though they were just part of everyday life. Life moved slower then, and there was a deep connection to nature and to the people around us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oduneyelaw.com
- Instagram: @AttorneyToki
