Foley & Lardner LLP: Cristina Portela Solomon

In the dynamic business landscape of Texas, particularly within the bustling economic hub of Houston, navigating the intricate web of labor and employment laws is a critical challenge for businesses of all sizes. From ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations to managing workplace disputes and protecting proprietary information, robust legal counsel is indispensable. For Texans seeking experienced and strategic guidance in these complex areas, Foley & Lardner LLP, and specifically the esteemed Partner Cristina Portela Solomon, offer a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record. This article aims to provide a detailed overview of this prominent legal resource, demonstrating how their expertise can serve the diverse needs of the local business community.

Foley & Lardner LLP is a national law firm with a long-standing presence and deep roots in Houston, dating back to 1923. Their commitment to the region is evident in their comprehensive approach to legal services, which extends across various industries, including energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and financial institutions. Cristina Portela Solomon stands out as a highly respected attorney within the firm, bringing over 35 years of dedicated experience to labor and employment law. Her practice is particularly focused on advising management, helping businesses proactively manage risk, ensure compliance, and effectively handle workforce issues. For Texans seeking a blend of broad firm resources and specialized, insightful legal advice, Cristina Portela Solomon at Foley & Lardner LLP represents an invaluable asset.

Location and Accessibility

The Houston office of Foley & Lardner LLP is strategically located at 1000 Louisiana St Suite 2000, Houston, TX 77002, USA. This address places them within the vibrant downtown business district, making it a central and easily accessible point for clients from across Houston and surrounding areas. The office is situated within the Wells Fargo Plaza, a distinctive and well-known skyscraper in the heart of the city.

For those traveling by car, numerous parking options are available in the immediate vicinity of 1000 Louisiana Street. The Wells Fargo Plaza typically offers its own parking facilities, and there are multiple commercial parking garages and surface lots within a few blocks. These include garages often associated with nearby office buildings or the Theater District, providing convenient choices for visitors. It's always a good idea to check for real-time parking availability and rates before your visit, especially during peak business hours.

Houston's METRORail and bus services offer excellent public transportation alternatives for reaching the office. The downtown location is well-served by various METRO bus routes, ensuring accessibility from different parts of the city. Furthermore, several METRORail stations, such as those along the Red Line (e.g., Main Street Square Station), are within a reasonable walking distance, connecting the office to key areas like the Texas Medical Center, Midtown, and the Museum District. This makes the firm highly accessible for those who prefer to use public transit or live in areas with good rail connections.

Services Offered

Cristina Portela Solomon at Foley & Lardner LLP provides an extensive range of legal services tailored to the needs of employers and executives, with a primary focus on proactive risk management and effective dispute resolution in labor and employment matters.

• Labor & Employment Counseling: A cornerstone of her practice, Ms. Solomon advises clients on navigating the complex landscape of employment laws. This includes guidance on compliance with federal and state regulations (e.g., FLSA, ADA, FMLA, Title VII), best practices for employee handbooks, policies, and procedures, as well as strategies for managing difficult employee situations to avoid litigation.
• Workplace Investigations: Boards of directors and executives frequently rely on Ms. Solomon to conduct high-level, sensitive workplace investigations. She possesses particular expertise in investigations involving sexual harassment, theft of trade secrets, and various forms of workplace misconduct, providing objective analysis and actionable recommendations.
• Employment Litigation Defense: When disputes escalate to litigation, Ms. Solomon is a formidable advocate for management. She defends employers in a wide range of employment-related lawsuits, including claims of discrimination (gender, age, race, etc.), retaliation, wage and hour disputes, and wrongful termination. She is known for developing creative strategies for successful results or early resolution, handling "bet-the-company" cases with skill.
• Trade Secret & Non-Compete Agreements: Ms. Solomon provides comprehensive services related to protecting proprietary information and enforcing restrictive covenants. This includes drafting and negotiating employment, non-compete, and confidentiality agreements designed to safeguard employers' interests, as well as litigating cases involving trade secret theft and breach of non-compete clauses.
• Executive Agreements & Transitions: She counsels clients on drafting and negotiating executive employment agreements, severance agreements, and other related documents, ensuring legal compliance and protecting the interests of both the company and the transitioning executive.
• Appellate Work: Leveraging her extensive litigation experience, Ms. Solomon also handles appeals of employment cases, often collaborating with the firm’s appellate team to pursue favorable outcomes in higher courts.

Features / Highlights

Cristina Portela Solomon's practice at Foley & Lardner LLP is distinguished by several key features and highlights that underscore her deep expertise and commitment to her clients:

• Extensive Experience: With over 35 years exclusively representing management in labor and employment law, Ms. Solomon offers unparalleled experience and insight into virtually all aspects of the employer-employee relationship. This long tenure signifies a deep understanding of evolving legal trends and effective strategies.
• Recognized Excellence: Ms. Solomon is consistently recognized by prestigious legal publications and organizations. She has been named among The Best Lawyers in America® for Litigation – Labor and Employment (multiple years, including 2018-2024), and a Texas Super Lawyer® for Employment Litigation: Defense (2006, 2017-2024). She has also been recognized by Texas Executive Women's Women on the Move® and holds an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest peer review rating for professional excellence.
• Strategic & Practical Advice: Clients value Ms. Solomon's ability to provide practical, business-focused legal advice that helps avoid costly litigation. Her approach emphasizes proactive risk management and cost-effective solutions, aligning legal strategy with business objectives.
• Fluent in Spanish: Being fluent in Spanish, Ms. Solomon is uniquely positioned to assist an array of Latin American clients, as well as counsel companies seeking to do business in the United States, providing a significant advantage in a diverse state like Texas.
• Leadership and Mentorship: Beyond her client work, Ms. Solomon has held significant leadership roles, including co-managing shareholder at a former firm where she managed over 100 attorneys. She is also dedicated to mentoring female and minority attorneys, demonstrating her commitment to the broader legal community.
• National Firm Resources: As a partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, Ms. Solomon can leverage the extensive resources, diverse practice groups, and national and international reach of a prominent global law firm, providing clients with comprehensive support for any legal challenge.

Promotions or Special Offers

As a highly respected legal professional within a national law firm, Cristina Portela Solomon at Foley & Lardner LLP focuses on delivering exceptional legal services rather than offering conventional "promotions" or "special offers." The firm's value proposition is built on their unparalleled legal expertise, strategic advice, and track record of successful outcomes for their clients. However, prospective clients seeking legal counsel for labor and employment matters are encouraged to schedule an initial consultation. This allows for a direct discussion of their specific legal needs, an understanding of how Ms. Solomon's expertise can be applied to their situation, and an opportunity to discuss the firm's approach to fees and engagement. This consultative process ensures transparency and helps clients make informed decisions about their legal representation.

Contact Information

For Texas businesses and executives in need of sophisticated and experienced legal counsel in labor and employment law, particularly in areas involving complex litigation, workplace investigations, or trade secret protection, contacting Cristina Portela Solomon at Foley & Lardner LLP is the first step.

• Address: 1000 Louisiana St Suite 2000, Houston, TX 77002, USA
• Phone: (713) 276-5352

Reaching out via phone during business hours is the most direct way to connect with the firm and inquire about scheduling a consultation to discuss your specific legal needs.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Texans, especially the diverse and rapidly growing business community in Houston and across the state, securing expert legal guidance in labor and employment law is not merely beneficial—it is essential. Cristina Portela Solomon at Foley & Lardner LLP offers precisely this level of expertise, making her and the firm exceptionally suitable for local businesses. Her deep understanding of Texas-specific employment laws, coupled with her extensive experience in managing complex workforce issues and high-stakes litigation, provides a critical advantage for employers.

Locals can benefit from her proactive approach to risk management, which aims to prevent costly disputes before they arise. When litigation becomes unavoidable, her proven track record in defending employers in state and federal courts, particularly in critical areas like trade secret defense and discrimination claims, ensures robust representation. Furthermore, her ability to communicate in Spanish is a significant asset in a state with a large and diverse workforce, allowing for more effective and culturally sensitive legal counsel. By choosing Cristina Portela Solomon, Texas businesses are not just hiring a lawyer; they are partnering with a seasoned advisor who understands the intricacies of the local and national employment landscape, committed to safeguarding their interests and fostering a compliant and productive work environment.