Baker Donelson attorney Nakimuli Davis-Primer has been recognized by the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) as an MCCA Rising Star for 2022. This annual list features stellar attorneys whose accomplishments and dedication to the legal profession and to their communities place them among a select group of "attorneys to watch."
This is the second national recognition Ms. Davis-Primer has received in recent weeks. She was honored in July as one of 40 leading young lawyers nationwide in Bloomberg Law's "They've Got Next: The 40 Under 40."
A shareholder in Baker Donelson's Jackson office, Ms. Davis-Primer concentrates her practice on employment law and commercial litigation, with a significant focus on partnering with clients to create respectful workplaces that comply with federal, state, and local laws. She provides advice and counsel on all employment issues, but a unique aspect of her employment practice includes collaborating with clients on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives. Ms. Davis-Primer works with clients on issues such as creating and evaluating cultural audits and employee surveys used to create DEI initiatives and goals; social media policies; diversity and inclusion policies; and communication strategies surrounding issues relating to DEIA. She frequently partners with clients to create ongoing training programs that raise awareness of and reinforce best practices to create sustainable inclusive workplaces.
In addition to the advice and counsel aspect of her employment practice, Ms. Davis-Primer represents clients in litigation and administrative actions, including proceedings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, she has also counseled and advised employers on novel issues relating to leaves and accommodations, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), reductions-in-force, furloughs, COVID-19 exposures and diagnosis, return-to-work protocols, OSHA compliance, vaccination mandates, and COVID-19 testing issues and concerns.
A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law, Ms. Davis-Primer has been recognized by the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division as an "On the Rise – Top 40 Young Lawyer," by the National Black Lawyers as a Top 100 Attorney, and by the Mississippi Business Journal as a Top 10 Finalist in the Top 50 Under 40 Business and Civic Leaders. She has received a number of awards for her service to the bar and her community, including the Outstanding Service Award from the Capital Area Bar Association, where she has served as chair of the Diversity Committee and on the board as a director. Ms. Davis-Primer has also been named a "Rising Star" by Mid-South Super Lawyers since 2014, and is listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers as a leading labor and employment lawyer in Mississippi. She currently serves in a number of roles at the Firm, including as editor of Baker Donelson's Diversity Newsletter and vice chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
MCCA was founded in 1997 to champion the hiring, retention, and promotion of diverse attorneys in corporate law departments and law firms. As the preeminent voice on diversity issues in the legal profession, MCCA accomplishes its mission through industry-shaping publications, research, and training; innovative pipeline initiatives; and curated events designed to connect its members to thought leaders and one another.