Page 24 - Miami Vol 7 No 2
P. 24

2018 WOMEN IN LAW
DEIRDRE D. NERO
An Authentic Practitioner
AALM: When did you decide to become a lawyer and why?
Nero: My kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Franklin, told my parents that I was very argumentative and would make a great lawyer. I suppose my parents thought this was hilarious because they repeatedly told me this story throughout my childhood. I guess at some point I just started believing it was true! I never even considered another profession, to be honest. For as long as I can remember I knew I was going to be a lawyer. Sometimes I wonder what would have hap- pened if Mrs. Franklin had said to my parents that I should become an astronaut?
AALM: What do you find rewarding about being an attorney?
Nero: I practice immigration law. My great grand- parents came to the United States through Ellis Island from Italy in the early 1900s with nothing. Most of us living here have our own immigrant story – from many years ago or more recently. I find it satisfying to help people create their own immigrant story and be- come a part of the diverse fabric of American society. Recently my firm began some branding exercises and my paralegal, Jessica, came up with our new slogan: Advocates for the American Dream. I am proud to say that is who we are at my firm. Especially in the politi- cal times we are living in, taking pride in the immi- gration process that built, and continues to build, our nation is critical and rewarding.
AALM: What was the beginning of your career like?
Nero: I was lucky to be able to specialize my prac- tice early on. In my first year of practice at a larg- er firm, I made it known that immigration law was the area I was truly interested in. When one of the firm’s lawyers in the Tampa office was forced to take a medical leave of absence, I was asked to temporar- ily take on his caseload. Luckily he had two experi- enced paralegals who took me under their wings. As
IMAGE ME PHOTOGRAPHY
he recovered, he would check in weekly to make sure everything was staying on the rails. Those months in Tampa were a crash course in immigration practice. I learned more in those months than I would have in years of regular progression. It kickstarted my career and helped me on my way to where I am today.
AALM: How is your career different today than you envisioned in law school?
Nero: I never thought I would start my own law firm. I always used to picture myself working for a fancy big firm. Almost 10 years ago, I made the decision to start my own practice. I was going through a divorce and needed to reinvent myself. I realized that starting my own firm was the way to start reclaiming my own life.
I like being the boss of my own life. Granted it is much harder than it was to go to work and collect a paycheck, but in the words of Tom Hanks from “A League of Their Own:” “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.” I always loved that quote, even before starting my own firm, it resonated with me. I guess I love a good challenge!
AALM: Tell us something about yourself that people would be surprised to learn.
Nero: I have an autoimmune disease called Alope- cia Areata. I’m not sure if this is a surprise anymore
ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE · MIAMI · VOL. 7 NO. 2 24


































































































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