When tragedy struck Adefoworola Olutope (Tope) Tokan-Lawal, JD ‘11, at a young age, it ignited a profound and unwavering passion for justice that has shaped her life and career. This pivotal moment fueled her determination to make a difference, ultimately guiding her to Baylor Law School, where she passionately embraced her calling. As a proud Baylor Lawyer, Tokan-Lawal’s journey has been defined by her deep belief in justice’s power to transform lives. Baylor University’s motto, Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana, Pro Mundo—For Church, For Texas, For the World—beautifully mirrors her personal and professional mission. Guided by her faith and a strong sense of purpose, Tokan-Lawal embodies Baylor’s commitment to leadership and service. Now a successful attorney in Lagos, Nigeria, she tirelessly advocates for vulnerable children, championing their rights and fighting for those whose voices are often silenced.
A Lifelong Commitment to Justice
Tokan-Lawal’s path to the law began when she was just six years old when her father's death thrust her family into a precarious financial situation. In the aftermath of her father’s passing, her mother faced a still all-too-common practice in Nigeria: relatives took control of her father’s assets, forcing her, her siblings, and her widowed mother to rebuild their lives from scratch. Witnessing the devastating impact of this injustice sparked a deep desire in Tokan-Lawal to protect others from similar exploitation and ignited in her a fire that never waned, “My father’s death and the ensuing events, which nearly drove my mother and siblings into abject poverty, inspired me to pursue a legal education,” she explains. “I realized that I was very passionate about making a difference in the lives of orphaned children and children from low socio-economic households.”
From this early conviction grew a remarkable legal career focused on fighting for justice and empowering those in need. Tokan-Lawal now leads her own law firm, Osuntuyi & Tokan-Lawal Law, in Lagos. In addition, her legal expertise, desire to serve, and compassion for disadvantaged children have fueled her involvement in several impactful initiatives. She founded the TOKAN Foundation, which provides educational support to hundreds of children, and the Child Rights & Juvenile Justice Center (CRJJC), a foundation offering pro bono legal services to children and juveniles from low-income households. Through these organizations, she is determined to ensure impoverished children receive the protection and opportunities they deserve.
Choosing Baylor Law School: A Perfect Fit
Tokan-Lawal’s decision to attend Baylor Law School was no accident—it was driven by the practical, hands-on experience it offered. After living in Arlington, Texas, as an international student, she was eager to remain in the state and sought law schools aligning with her goals. Baylor Law School’s reputation for its Christian commitment, producing top litigators, and unique quarter system caught her attention.
“I first heard about Baylor Law School during my final year of university. Its small class sizes, high Texas Bar exam pass rate, and renowned Practice Court Program stood out to me,” she says. “As someone who knew early on that I wanted to become a litigator, Practice Court was a major factor—it promised the kind of practical training that would be invaluable to an aspiring litigator like myself.”
Her determination to attend Baylor Law School was so strong that she tailored her application process around it. Reflecting on her journey, she remembers telling her mother that Baylor was her first and only choice. “I recently revisited my emails from 2008, when I took the LSAT and applied to law schools. I noticed that I had instructed my two references to write separate recommendation letters: one specifically for Baylor Law School and another addressed to law schools in general. It became clear that Baylor Law was truly my first choice.”
Like many international students, Tokan-Lawal faced her fair share of challenges at Baylor. Adjusting to its rigorous academic program, navigating cultural differences, and managing the financial dependence on her family were just a few hurdles she encountered. “One of the biggest challenges during my first few months in Waco was not owning a car. Commuting from my apartment to class was difficult. Once I shared my situation with my classmates, fellow student Kia Lusk-Caldwell, JD ’11, generously offered to pick me up for classes each day, making the transition much easier.”
At Baylor Law School, Tokan-Lawal actively participated in Bear PAWS (People at Work and Service), the Diversity in Law student organization, and the Women’s Legal Society. Her commitment to community engagement and pro bono work earned her several accolades, including the Kaplan/PMBR Public Servant Award, now known as the BARBRI Public Servant Award, in 2010 and the prestigious Bill Kimble Service Award in 2010 and 2011. The latter is given to only two students annually who demonstrate outstanding dedication to community service, logging the most hours in the Pro Bono and Public Service program.
A Legacy of Service: The TOKAN Foundation and CRJJC
After graduating from Baylor Law School, Tokan-Lawal returned to Nigeria, where she founded the TOKAN Foundation in 2018. What began as a small initiative to provide school supplies to children in low-income communities soon expanded into a far-reaching organization offering educational, social, and medical support to orphans and vulnerable children across Lagos.
“Our first project focused on purchasing school bags for students in one of the poorest communities,” Tokan-Lawal explains. “Our work expanded organically. We moved from providing school supplies to supporting orphans and low-income children. Then, a few of our beneficiaries were wrongfully taken to the Special Correctional Center for Boys, prompting me to step in, and I began advocating for children who were unjustly placed in detention centers.” This experience catalyzed the formation of The Child Rights & Juvenile Justice Center (CRJJC), a branch of the foundation dedicated to providing pro bono legal services to children involved in the juvenile justice system.
CRJJC’s work has been nothing short of transformative. The center has successfully secured the release of numerous children from correctional facilities, ensuring that they return to their families or are placed in proper care environments. Tokan-Lawal’s team also works closely with correctional centers to provide educational and social support to children, preparing them for reintegration into society. “One of the major challenges has been raising funds for our projects,” Tokan-Lawal notes, “but we’ve learned to work effectively with whatever resources we have.”
Despite limited resources, Tokan-Lawal remains relentless in her pursuit of serving at-risk children. In June 2024, CRJJC launched the Know Your Rights Initiative, educating children in correctional facilities about their legal rights and empowering them to seek assistance. She notes that CRJJC “also plans to push for legislation and policies that better serve children and juveniles in Lagos” in the near future.
Balancing Law and Advocacy
For Tokan-Lawal, balancing her legal career and advocacy work requires careful planning. A typical day sees her managing client work at her law firm while dedicating time to the administrative and legal needs of the TOKAN Foundation and CRJJC. Court appearances can involve representing clients from her private firm and CRJJC on the same day.
Weekends are spent visiting correctional centers across Lagos, where Tokan-Lawal engages directly with the children under CRJJC’s care. This hands-on approach keeps her connected to the children she fights for, ensuring their welfare is always at the top of her mind.
Despite the demanding nature of her dual roles, Tokan-Lawal finds immense fulfillment in both. “I’ve found a rhythm,” she says, “and now I can manage these responsibilities effectively.” Her ability to juggle multiple commitments speaks to the discipline and work ethic she honed at Baylor Law School.
Tokan-Lawal remains focused on growing her law firm and expanding the TOKAN Foundation’s and CRJJC’s reach. She is committed to raising awareness about child rights in Nigeria and providing legal representation to even more children. “It has been both challenging and rewarding,” she notes, reflecting on her journey. Despite the difficulties, she continues to push forward, inspired by the belief that every child deserves a chance at a better future.
A Baylor Lawyer for the World
Tope Tokan-Lawal frequently earns praise from clients and colleagues, a testament to the rigorous training and high standards instilled during her time at Baylor Law School. Baylor’s commitment to preparing its graduates for real-world impact—whether in Texas or globally—is exemplified in Tokan-Lawal’s work, where her influence knows no borders. Her story is a powerful testament to how one individual can make a lasting difference. Through her law firm, courageous advocacy for children, and tireless efforts to address systemic injustices, Tokan-Lawal’s journey from a young girl facing hardship to a successful attorney and compassionate defender of “the least of these” stands as an inspiring example of the global reach of a Baylor Law education.
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