Adefoworola Olutope Tokan-Lawal (“Tope”) is a dual-qualified lawyer licensed in Texas, USA (2012), and Nigeria (2014). With over a decade of legal experience, she specialises in arbitration, litigation, intellectual property, construction, immigration (USA), corporate/commercial practices, and international trade law. Tope leverages her business background to provide commercially viable solutions for her clients while maintaining an exceptional commitment to pro bono work and juvenile justice advocacy.
Tope is a founding partner at Osuntuyi & Tokan-Lawal Law (OTL Law), a small law firm in Lagos, which also hosts the legal networking event, OTL Law Presents: An Evening with Lawyers. This event fosters connections and drives conversations among legal professionals on shaping the future of law.
Before founding OTL Law, Tope was a partner at a small firm and an associate at a mid-size firm in Lagos. In her career, she has led and contributed to high-profile cases, including:
- Handling intellectual property disputes in courts, involving chartered entities and globally renowned musicians and music producers.
- Representing a developer in the dredging, reclamation, and financing of a major estate in Lagos.
- Advising on the impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on international trade.
- Representing a telecommunications giant in multiple litigation matters in courts across Nigeria.
- Representing a financier in the arbitration against a oil field operator.
Education:
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA Hons.) in Management (Cum Laude) from the University of Texas, Arlington
- Juris Doctor (JD) from Baylor University School of Law in Waco, Texas
- B.L. from Nigerian Law School (second class upper honours and the 3rd Best Student in Civil Litigation Course)
- LL.M. in Human Rights and Law & Economic Development from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts
Associations
- Nigerian Bar Association
- State Bar of Texas
- International Bar Association
- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK
Beyond her legal practice, Tope is a passionate advocate for social justice. She chaired a Legal Aid session for creatives at the 2024 Global Creative Legal Summit (GCLS), empowering artists with tools to navigate intellectual property challenges.
She also leads two impactful organisations: TOKAN Foundation for Children and Young People, which provides educational and financial support to vulnerable children in Nigeria, and Child Rights & Juvenile Justice Center (CRJJC), which offers pro bono legal representation, conducts public education campaigns, and advocates for systemic reforms in child justice administration.