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Rodriguez grew up in the Philippines with her mother, father, four sisters and one brother. Her mother worked as a housekeeper and baby sitter, and was the sole provider for Abbie and her five siblings. In 2002, upon earning her bachelor’s degree from Centro Escolar University in Manila, Philippines, Abbie Rodriguez moved to the United States in pursuit of the American Dream.
Like many of those who move far away from home to the United States, Rodriguez started working minimum-wage jobs to support herself and her family. Her two first jobs in America were at McDonald’s and a local flower shop.
Motivated to do more, she went back to school to become a certified paralegal, all while maintaining a job as a waitress. In 2008, Rodriguez was offered a position at Dorf & Nelson LLP as a paralegal.
“It was not an easy decision to leave the Philippines, but I left because I wanted more for myself. My journey to citizenship was not always easy, but I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to not only work for Dorf & Nelson but also to have grown within the firm,” she said. “Dorf & Nelson is more than a job – Dorf & Nelson is my family, my second home.”
Rodriguez, a married mother of two, quickly rose through the ranks at Dorf & Nelson, and today, nearly seven years later, she manages the entire litigation department at the firm.
“We here at Dorf & Nelson are so proud of Abbie,” said Jonathan B. Nelson, partner and chair of the litigation department. “We have seen Abbie grow so much in the last seven years and couldn’t be happier for her. We’d like to congratulate Abbie for passing her citizenship test. She is the epitome of the American Dream, and her journey to the top, as well as her journey to American citizenship, is truly inspirational.”
Rodriguez resides in Greenwich with her husband, Carlos E. Rodriguez, and their two young children. Her husband owns a custom picture framing store, Palmer Art, in Larchmont.
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