Today we’d like to introduce you to Nefertari Rigsby.
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?
I am what some may call a “military brat.” I was born in Washington, DC while my father was working at the Pentagon. At the tender age of 9 months, my family relocated to Naples, Italy where we resided for seven years. Naples tempetures and scenery are very similar to South Florida, so it is no surprise to family that I relocated to this area as an adult. Prior to moving to South Florida, I resided in North Carolina, where I attended school. It was there, in the small town of Kinston, where I made the decision to become a lawyer. I am a first generation college graduate and only lawyer in my family.
Because I am a people person and love the challenge of making logical sense of the “insane,” I decided that employment law was going to be my area of expertise. Everyone touches some aspect of employment law — from C-Suite executives to entrepreneurs to the unemployed — there is an element of employment law in each person’s life. And that is what keeps it interesting and real for me.
I also am devoting to giving back to my community. Growing up in Eastern North Carolina, so many people saw my potential and poured into me. Despite not having the money or the means to always obtain opportunities that I wanted, my support system found a way to put me in situations where I was able to shine and gain confidence to excel and not shrink myself. So, I make it a point to pour into the South Florida community in the same way. I am very involved in civic organizations that focus on community service.
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?
The road was anything but smooth. In NC I grew up “down the hill” in my little town, where most families were impoverished. I knew early on that I would have to rely on my intelligence to attend college. I am one of five children, so money was tight. After receiving scholarships, I had challenges relating to my peers in college as a minority from a lower socioeconomic background. I remained opened to learning and being open to other experiences. Yet again, when attending law school, I had very few mentors to help guide me through that challenge. And finally, in my legal career, which started in Alabama, I struggled to understand the dynamics of working in a law firm, especially as a black woman. But I have gained so many supporters and mentors along the way that I cannot be anything but thankful for their guidance. Despite constantly feeling like I did not belong in several spaces, I found my voice and my seat at each and every table. And there were several people who encouraged me to heard and seen in those spaces.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an employment law attorney and have been doing this work for over 17 years. I am currently in house as the Executive Director and Senior Counsel, focusing on employment law and Commercial Contracts at Kaplan North America LLC. Candidly, I am known for flexing between attorney and business partner at work. I work closely with the Human Resources Department and am a great resource and partner as it relates to handling employee-related issues, no matter how complex they. I am practical and rely not just on the law but human nature. My major in college was psychology, so I am fascinated in understanding why people do what they do, especially as it relates to work. I am most proud of that fact that most people, personally and professionally, find me to be approachable and personable. That is definitely what sets me apart from other attorneys and HR professionals. I can relate to most people and empathize, instead of sympathize, with their experiences. These traits have allowed me to excel professionally and personally.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most people who know me may be surprised to learn that I am a very emotional person, and there are times when my emotions manifest physically. I have work very hard to be logical and refrain from letting emotions get the better of me in most situations, especially in my career. Many people view me as level-headed and calm, which I am. But I take a lot of personal time to let my emotions run their course before engaging with people. I’m definitely not a robot and consider myself to be an empath, sometimes to a fault.
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