Nairobi Vives is an Albany native raised in the South End. Vives received her political science and economics undergraduate degree in 2009 from the University at Albany. Vives furthered her educational career at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She then obtained her juris doctorate, cum laude, in May 2012 from Albany Law School, where she was a member of the Albany Government Law Review and the Karen C. McGovern Senior Prize Trial winner for “Best Oral Advocate.” Vives also held a judicial externship in the Albany Law Clinic & Justice Center with the Hon. Lawrence Kahn in US District Court for the Northern District of New York.

Vives has created a career in law defending clients in complex workers’ compensation litigation for the New York State Worker’s Compensation Board. Vives’s legal background is extensive, with experience in construction matters, employment claims, environmental law, and real property. She advises on matters involving diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, she spent two years as an associate counsel to the New York State Assembly, advising NYS assembly members and committee chairs on legal matters concerning legislation, program development, and budgeting. Vives engages in pro bono activities, such as the Legal Immigrant Detention Outreach Project, the Legal Project’s Uncontested Divorce Clinic, Albany County Bar Association’s “Attorney for a Day” Program, small business formation and consultation, and counseling various protest arrestees. Vives was appointed to the Albany Community Police Review Board (CPRB) in June 2020 and currently serves as its chair.