For Black History Month, we honor trailblazers whose work creates lasting impact beyond their industries. This feature highlights a woman building pathways to protection, ownership, and generational wealth through law, real estate, and service.
Ezenwanyi Abii is a licensed attorney and the founder of Abii & Associates, PLLC, also known as Abii Legal. Her boutique firm supports entrepreneurs and families through business law, real estate, estate planning, bankruptcy, and personal injury. Known for her strategy-driven approach, Abii helps clients safeguard what they build while planning intentionally for what comes next.
In this interview, she shares practical insights and legal strategies for business owners focused on protection, growth, and long-term legacy.
What’s your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
Start like a CEO, not like a hobbyist. Get clear on your structure, your contracts, and your money practices early. Protect the business from day one or day 100, but do it as early as possible, because the fastest-growing businesses are usually the most legally exposed.
Who is your business role model and why?
Oprah is a business role model for me because she built a brand rooted in purpose, impact, and longevity, not just visibility. I also respect leaders who scale through systems and community, because that is how you build something that truly lasts.
What would attract listeners or readers to your personal story?
People connect to the fact that I am not just giving theories. I am actively building multiple brands, learning through the process, raising a family, taking care of myself mentally, physically, and spiritually, and leading with vision while staying grounded in service. My story shows what it looks like to pursue a vision, build a business, and leave a legacy while remaining true to integrity and intention.
What is your proudest business accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment is building Abii Legal into a firm with a clear mission, “Your Lawyer, Your Shield,” and a real commitment to protecting clients in business, real estate, probate, and bankruptcy. I am proud of building a business culture and team that stays committed to clients even when it is not always easy. I am also proud of the future, including building a women-led team and a platform that connects law to legacy for the long term.
What are the most common legal mistakes you see small business owners make?
The biggest mistakes are operating without contracts, commingling personal and business money, and delaying formation and compliance until there is a problem. I also see founders signing leases, partnership agreements, or personal guarantees without fully understanding the long-term risk involved.
When should someone talk to a lawyer about their business?
Ideally before they launch, or at least before they sign anything that creates legal obligations such as a lease, a partnership agreement, or a major client contract. If you are hiring, raising capital, purchasing property, or scaling quickly, those are clear signals to get legal counsel early.
What is one legal step every entrepreneur should take early on?
Separate yourself from your business. Form the right legal entity and establish clean financial separation with a business bank account and basic operating documents. That single step prevents many downstream issues related to taxes, liability, partnerships, and even bankruptcy exposure.
What legacy do you hope your work helps to create?
I want my work to help create protected families, protected businesses, and generational wealth that is built correctly, both on paper and in practice. The legacy is confidence. People who know their rights, understand their options, and can pass something solid forward.
As a Black woman attorney, what does Black History Month mean to you professionally?
Professionally, it is a reminder that I am part of a lineage of resilience and excellence. As an immigrant, I understand the challenges faced by our community, especially those who fought to be seen, heard, and taken seriously in systems that were not built for us. It renews my commitment to fill in gaps where the community often loses power, money, and foundation, whether through businesses that are not set up strategically, real estate without protection, or the lack of estate planning and probate education. Black History Month strengthens my commitment to serve with both skill and purpose and to keep doors open for those who come after me.
How can readers connect online?
Readers can connect with Ezenwanyi Abii and learn more about her work by following on Instagram.
Images Courtesy of Ezenwanyi Abii
Follow Us On Social Media!
