Nakimuli partners with employers to create respectful and thriving workplaces that comply with federal, state, and local laws. She regularly counsels and advises clients on workplace issues; reviews, revises, and creates employee handbooks and policies that align with the client's overall mission, goals, and applicable laws; develops and conducts training programs on a variety of topics for executive leaders and management- and supervisory-level employees; and assesses and evaluates measures to reduce legal risks associated with employment-related decisions. Clients also call upon Nakimuli to conduct internal investigations and provide guidance on leave and accommodation issues, termination decisions, pay considerations (including final pay, PTO, and vacation payout), and other employment matters. She also advises employers on reorganizations, reductions in force, restructuring, voluntary buy-out programs, and internal audits of position classifications to ensure compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Nakimuli has extensive experience advising clients on all aspects of their diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives, programs, and activities, including but not limited to conducting internal audits for risk assessments. She develops ongoing training programs that raise awareness, identify tools and strategies, and reinforce best practices for creating sustainable, inclusive workplaces. These measures are critical to increasing employee engagement and reducing legal risks, particularly the risk of harassment and discrimination claims.
In addition to advising clients, Nakimuli represents them in litigation and administrative proceedings, including matters before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Unemployment Commission, and the Department of Labor. She defends employers in litigation filed pursuant to various state and federal laws, including Title VII and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, Section 1981, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Rehabilitation Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Section 1983, the Equal Pay Act (EPA), and the FLSA.
Nakimuli counsels and represents employers across numerous industries, including higher education, manufacturing, education, banking, health care, state agencies, and hospitality on various employment-related and novel issues. She also advises higher education clients on student-related issues.
Her commercial litigation practice includes representing companies in breach of contract, fraud, personal injury, premises liability, intentional torts, tortious interference, and other claims. She has experience representing insurance carriers in breach of insurance policy and bad faith claims, as well as representing the carriers' corporate insureds in litigation ranging from premises liability, breach of contract, breach of duties of good faith and fair dealing, bad faith, employment, and negligence claims. Nakimuli has reviewed and evaluated insurance policies to assist insurers with making coverage decisions and has represented insurers in declaratory judgment actions. She also has significant experience litigating federal condemnation actions.
Prior to joining Baker Donelson, Nakimuli served as a law clerk to the Honorable Leslie H. Southwick of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. In recent years, she has also served as an adjunct professor at the Mississippi College School of Law, teaching Employment Law. Nakimuli is licensed in Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.