California IP attorney overcomes more than her share of adversity
Attorney Aisha Otori has withstood degrees of displacement and disruption that would likely knock down most people. She has exhibited a focus and resolve so strong that not even a Category 5 hurricane could sidetrack her from her obtaining her objective – literally.
Otori was in her second year of law school at Tulane University when Hurricane Katrina hurled itself into New Orleans, Louisiana in 2005. The horrific tropical storm and the consequent flooding from breached levees caused the evacuation of thousands of people from the devastated city. Otori and her family fled to Houston, Texas – a five-hour trip they had traveled before that now took nearly 20 grueling hours.
At first, they thought they would be gone only a few days – a couple of weeks, perhaps. In the end, it was five months before they were able to return.
Otori, undaunted by natural disaster, transferred to the University of Texas at Austin to continue her legal studies. She and her family made it back to New Orleans in time for her to finish her final year at Tulane Law.
She says it is only now in looking back on that time that she realizes all she had to overcome to earn her juris doctorate.
“I was young,” she says. “Everything seemed exciting, a rush. At the time, the severity of the natural disaster didn't quite hit me.”
It wasn’t the first time that Otori and her family were forced to dramatically relocate and adapt to a new environment and changing circumstances.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Otori is the second of seven children. Her father, Shuaibu, was a successful mechanical engineer for Exxon Mobil. Her mother, Habsat, was an educator. The family moved to the Niger Delta after Shuaibu was promoted to operations manager for the region. His appointment to the job was not received well by some locals who preferred one of their own in the position. The reaction ended in violence and Shuaibu was ambushed by gunmen and sustained a life-threatening injury. While he survived, Exxon Mobil decided for safety reasons it would be best for the family to leave the country.
So, abruptly at the age of 11, Otori and her family found themselves building a new life in New Orleans. She and her four siblings at the time began attending Ridgewood Prep School.
“It was tough,” admits Otori. “It was an incredibly difficult time.”
But she adapted quickly and fit in. It helped to have her siblings with her – she got to see them at lunchtime, and they could share notes about their experiences.
Otori says that after the near fatal incident with her father and the family’s immigration to the United States, her parents became much stricter, particularly when it came to school.
“Nigerian parents tend to be strict in general, in terms of emphasizing the importance of your education and making sure you’re able to stand on your own,” Otori says. “That strictness became more intense after the incident. My parents really focused on all their kids getting the best education to ensure a stable and secure future.”
Otori was in her second year of law school at Tulane University when Hurricane Katrina hurled itself into New Orleans, Louisiana in 2005. The horrific tropical storm and the consequent flooding from breached levees caused the evacuation of thousands of people from the devastated city. Otori and her family fled to Houston, Texas – a five-hour trip they had traveled before that now took nearly 20 grueling hours.
At first, they thought they would be gone only a few days – a couple of weeks, perhaps. In the end, it was five months before they were able to return.
Otori, undaunted by natural disaster, transferred to the University of Texas at Austin to continue her legal studies. She and her family made it back to New Orleans in time for her to finish her final year at Tulane Law.
She says it is only now in looking back on that time that she realizes all she had to overcome to earn her juris doctorate.
“I was young,” she says. “Everything seemed exciting, a rush. At the time, the severity of the natural disaster didn't quite hit me.”
It wasn’t the first time that Otori and her family were forced to dramatically relocate and adapt to a new environment and changing circumstances.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Otori is the second of seven children. Her father, Shuaibu, was a successful mechanical engineer for Exxon Mobil. Her mother, Habsat, was an educator. The family moved to the Niger Delta after Shuaibu was promoted to operations manager for the region. His appointment to the job was not received well by some locals who preferred one of their own in the position. The reaction ended in violence and Shuaibu was ambushed by gunmen and sustained a life-threatening injury. While he survived, Exxon Mobil decided for safety reasons it would be best for the family to leave the country.
So, abruptly at the age of 11, Otori and her family found themselves building a new life in New Orleans. She and her four siblings at the time began attending Ridgewood Prep School.
“It was tough,” admits Otori. “It was an incredibly difficult time.”
But she adapted quickly and fit in. It helped to have her siblings with her – she got to see them at lunchtime, and they could share notes about their experiences.
Otori says that after the near fatal incident with her father and the family’s immigration to the United States, her parents became much stricter, particularly when it came to school.
“Nigerian parents tend to be strict in general, in terms of emphasizing the importance of your education and making sure you’re able to stand on your own,” Otori says. “That strictness became more intense after the incident. My parents really focused on all their kids getting the best education to ensure a stable and secure future.”
Justin Wade
Mandelbaum Barrett PC, Roseland, New Jersey
Mandelbaum Barrett PC, Roseland, New Jersey
What is one thing you would like to learn to do?
Golf! I intend on beginning lessons this spring. I love an excuse to get out of the house (or the office), and I am a fan of the sport. While I have smacked the ball around a course a few times in the past (albeit, very poorly), I am excited to learn how to play the game properly and pick up a new hobby.
Golf! I intend on beginning lessons this spring. I love an excuse to get out of the house (or the office), and I am a fan of the sport. While I have smacked the ball around a course a few times in the past (albeit, very poorly), I am excited to learn how to play the game properly and pick up a new hobby.
Coffee & Conversation
Monday, May 8th, 2023 at 10am EDT
Broadening Your Horizons: The Basics of Law Outside Your Practice Area
Matt Ellison
Fowler Bell PLLC, Lexington, Kentucky
Monday, May 8th, 2023 at 10am EDT
Broadening Your Horizons: The Basics of Law Outside Your Practice Area
Matt Ellison
Fowler Bell PLLC, Lexington, Kentucky
Cocktails & Conversation
Thursday, May 11th, 2023 at 4pm EDT
Young Lawyers Being Mentors and Mentees
Adam Waskie
McCollom D'Emilio Smith Uebler LLC, Wilmington, Delaware
Thursday, May 11th, 2023 at 4pm EDT
Young Lawyers Being Mentors and Mentees
Adam Waskie
McCollom D'Emilio Smith Uebler LLC, Wilmington, Delaware
If you are interested in being featured in a future edition of the Primerus™ Weekly, please contact Katie Bundyra at kbundyra@primerus.com.
For a weekly publication, 52 issues add up to a year, simple math that constitutes an eternity in today’s publishing world where change is the operative word.
It was approximately a year ago that we revamped our Weekly magazine, adding a series of feature profiles designed to give a lively and informative look at Primerus™ members and clients around the globe, highlighting attorneys who are making an impact, whether in the present or future tense.
The past, of course, also is in our sights, as we regularly trumpet the accomplishments and good works of those who have made a difference in the legal profession, shining a spotlight on them for all to see.
It was approximately a year ago that we revamped our Weekly magazine, adding a series of feature profiles designed to give a lively and informative look at Primerus™ members and clients around the globe, highlighting attorneys who are making an impact, whether in the present or future tense.
The past, of course, also is in our sights, as we regularly trumpet the accomplishments and good works of those who have made a difference in the legal profession, shining a spotlight on them for all to see.
Changing the World in the Nick of Time
New Foundation aims to change way of the world in ‘nick of time’
At last count, there are more than 78,000 foundations in the United States with a total worth of approximately half a trillion (with a “t”) dollars, generating nearly $50 billion in giving each year.
By any calculation, that’s a lot of dough being funneled annually into good causes, philanthropy that is designed to make a positive impact on society in the areas of health care, education, recreation, the environment, religion, social services, and many more.
By any calculation, that’s a lot of dough being funneled annually into good causes, philanthropy that is designed to make a positive impact on society in the areas of health care, education, recreation, the environment, religion, social services, and many more.
Primerus™ Weekly invites different points of view
The Primerus™ Weekly welcomes letters to the editor and op-ed columns on timely topics or items of general interest.
Submissions should be limited to 800 words and must be timely, well written, and reflect a relevant point of view that will enlighten our readers. All submissions will be edited for clarity, grammar, and style. Anonymous submissions will not be accepted, nor will those that contain falsehoods or potentially libelous information.
For those interested in contributing a letter to the editor or an op-ed column, please include a short bio (20-30 words) along with your contact information. Submissions should be sent to Robin Lewis at rlewis@primerus.com.
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