Tina B. Solis

What do you focus on?

I have extensive experience across a wide array of complex and high profile business disputes such as contract actions, shareholder remedies, commercial fraud, unfair competition and mass torts. In addition, I bring to cases deep knowledge about e-discovery processes and issues.

Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets

I represent companies in the financial services markets in unfair competition matters, with a particular focus on misappropriation of trade secrets. I have litigated these disputes in state and federal courts throughout the country. I also counsel and defend employers on a wide range of other employment issues. During the course of my career, I have handled numerous cases in which emergency injunctive relief was requested.

Law Firm Professional Responsibility

I counsel lawyers and law firms in connection with fiduciary obligations, departure issues, partnership disputes and malpractice claims. I also regularly handle these matters through the use of alternative dispute resolution, since confidentially is of the utmost importance in these cases.

Professional Liability Investigations and Litigation

I routinely assist companies in the financial services market with professional liability, investigations and related litigation. In particular, I assist federal regulators as receivers of failed institutions in analyzing the roles that former bank officers, directors and their outside advisors may have played in bank failures. This involves conducting investigations, determining whether meritorious claims exist and assisting in all phases of litigation until those claims are resolved.

What do you see on the horizon?

I see a continuing increase in unfair competition and trade secret litigation due to rapid advances in technology. It is becoming increasingly important to proactively minimize risks to avoid litigation and act aggressively when litigation occurs. Effective planning before onboarding a new hire can help minimize this risk. I strategize with clients and update their employment agreements and other employment materials in the hopes of avoiding litigation. I’m also following increased competition among law firms that’s causing lateral movement. Counseling and planning is needed to avoid fiduciary issues and minimize any negative impact on clients.

Representative Experience

• Prosecuted a legal malpractice claim on behalf of a client in which the fees awarded to the client covered its loss in the underlying action.
• Successfully prosecuted on behalf of a client claims against directors and officers for breach of fiduciary duty and negligence resulting in a settlement in excess of $15,000,000.
• Defeated a request for injunctive relief by client’s competitor seeking several million dollars of damages for alleged violation of restrictive covenants and misappropriation of trade secrets.
• Successfully defended client in wage and hour class action litigation.
• Successfully represented law partners in a wage and hour and breach of fiduciary duty dispute.
• Represented client in the defense of a product liability class action matter.
• Prosecuted a breach of fiduciary duty claim and legal malpractice claim on behalf of a Successor Trustee against the former Trustee of the Trust resulting in a judgment, including punitive damages of approximately $1,000,000.
• Prosecuted a breach of contract claim for a large multi-media company where the arbitrator entered an award, including attorney’s fees, in excess of $1,000,000.
• Defended law firm and its partners against allegations of malpractice.
• Prosecuted a former employee for violation of his employment agreement, obtained a Temporary Restraining Order against the former employee and recouped virtually all of the former employer's fees and costs associated with bringing the action.
• Defended an executive vice-president of a large mortgage brokerage company against breach of fiduciary duty and duty of loyalty claims.
• Defended three employees of a coffee company in a non-compete case where the Temporary Restraining Order was denied and the plaintiff dismissed its case three days later.
• Obtained large settlement for minority shareholder for the fair market value of his shares plus additional damages in a shareholder oppression case.
• Defended a general contractor against breach of contract and misrepresentation claims involving the installation of a multi-million dollar ERP system.
• Defended a general contractor in a multi-million dollar construction dispute involving the installation of an overhead and floor conveyor system.

Presentations

• Presenter, National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors, 2017 NASCUS State System Summit, September 1, 2017, “Banks v. Credit Unions: Old Rivalry, New Developments.”
• Presenter, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, 2017 Credit Union Examiners’ Conference, November 30, 2016, “Red Flags for Regulators.”
• Presenter, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, 2016