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    1. Home
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    3. Tina B. SolisPeople
    1. Home
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    3. Tina B. SolisPeople

    Tina B. Solis

    Partner / Leader, Financial Institutions & Banking Disputes Team


    • Chicago
    • Office312.977.4482
    • tbsolis@nixonpeabody.com
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    Introduction

    Tina Solis advises businesses on issues involving trade secrets, unfair competition and complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts. She also counsels lawyers and law firms on professional responsibility issues. Tina regularly represents regulators in federal court litigation related to the failure of banks.

    Tina is also leader of the firm’s Financial Institutions & Banking Disputes team, which represents institutions and individuals in a full range of civil litigation, enforcement matters, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitrations, and compliance investigations on issues such as consumer protection, fair lending, anti-money laundering, and violations of fiduciary duties.

    Practice Areas

    LitigationComplex DisputesNon-Compete & Trade SecretsFinancial Institution InvestigationsFinancial Institutions & Banking Disputes

    My focus

    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.

    Representative experience

    • Represented the FDIC in numerous liability investigations and/or litigations arising out of the failure of a number of financial institutions nationwide.
    • First chair trial counsel representing executive in a FINRA arbitration defending against breach of fiduciary duty and restrictive covenants claims.
    • 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.

    Looking ahead

    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.

    Insights

    Podcasts

    • “Tina Solis: Making a Law Firm Move the Smart Way,” Be That Lawyer, March 20, 2023

    Articles

    • “California’s New Pay Transparency Law: What Recruiters Need to Know,” NALSC Newsletter, Winter 2023
    • “Nixon Peabody Featured Article: Best Practices for Departing Attorneys,” National Association of Legal Search Consultants Fall newsletter, October 2022
    • “Practicing Law Remotely and Ethically,” NALSC (National Association of Legal Search Consultants) Newsletter, Winter/Spring 2021 (Co-author)
    • “What Recruiters Need to Know about the California Consumer Protection Act of 2018,” NALSC (National Association of Legal Search Consultants) Newsletter, Summer/Fall 2020 (Co-author)
    • “ABA Formal Opinion 489: A Significant Shift in the Power Paradigm for Departing Lawyers,” NALSC (National Association of Legal Search Consultants) Newsletter, Winter/Spring 2020 (Co-author)

    Presentations

    • “Partner Recruiting in 2023 Including the U-LPQ,” NALSC 2023 Annual Conference, Nashville, TN, March 31, 2023
    • “The New ABA Opinion on the Process Surrounding Lateral Moves,” NALSC (National Association of Legal Search Consultants) Virtual Fall Symposium, October 23, 2020
    • “Ask the Firm Your Burning Questions,” NALSC (National Association of Legal Search Consultants) Roundtable Discussion, April 12, 2018 (Moderator)
    • “Banks v. Credit Unions: Old Rivalry, New Developments,” National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors, 2017 NASCUS State System Summit, September 1, 2017
    • “Red Flags for Regulators,” Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, 2017 Credit Union Examiners’ Conference, November 30, 2016
    • Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, 2016

    In the news

    • Des Moines Register

      Iowa Supreme Court to decide if Medicaid must cover gender transition surgery

      The following article covers Iowa Supreme Court oral arguments in the state’s appeal of a ruling that an amendment to the Iowa Civil Rights Act—which prohibited the use of Medicaid coverage for gender affirmation surgery—violated the Iowa Constitution. The articles quote Chicago Complex Disputes partner Seth Horvath, who is providing pro bono legal representation for two transgender Iowans whose applications for Medicaid coverage for gender affirmation surgery were denied. The NP team also includes partners Tom Hecht, Tina Solis, and Bill Kirby; and associates Christie Kurow and Maggie Borse, all of the Chicago office and Complex Disputes practice.

      Jan 19, 2023
    • Courthouse News Service

      Iowa seeks to reinstate ban on Medicaid coverage for sex reassignment surgery

      The following article covers Iowa Supreme Court oral arguments in the state’s appeal of a ruling that an amendment to the Iowa Civil Rights Act—which prohibited the use of Medicaid coverage for gender affirmation surgery—violated the Iowa Constitution. The articles quote Chicago Complex Disputes partner Seth Horvath, who is providing pro bono legal representation for two transgender Iowans whose applications for Medicaid coverage for gender affirmation surgery were denied. The NP team also includes partners Tom Hecht, Tina Solis, and Bill Kirby; and associates Christie Kurow and Maggie Borse, all of the Chicago office and Complex Disputes practice.

      Jan 18, 2023
    • Iowa Capital Dispatch

      Iowa Supreme Court weighs transgender issue and civil rights protection

      The following article covers Iowa Supreme Court oral arguments in the state’s appeal of a ruling that an amendment to the Iowa Civil Rights Act—which prohibited the use of Medicaid coverage for gender affirmation surgery—violated the Iowa Constitution. The articles quote Chicago Complex Disputes partner Seth Horvath, who is providing pro bono legal representation for two transgender Iowans whose applications for Medicaid coverage for gender affirmation surgery were denied. The NP team also includes partners Tom Hecht, Tina Solis, and Bill Kirby; and associates Christie Kurow and Maggie Borse, all of the Chicago office and Complex Disputes practice.

      Jan 18, 2023
    • NBC Montana

      Montana Supreme Court ruling upholds right for transgender birth certificate changes

      This article covers a Montana State Supreme Court ruling in the ongoing Marquez v. State of Montana case, which restores a 2017 rule allowing transgender people to change their sex designation on their birth certificates without requiring a court order stating they have received some undefined surgical treatment. The article mentions NP for bringing the initial suit alongside the ACLU Foundation and the ACLU of Montana. The NP team involved in the case includes Complex Disputes partners Seth Horvath and Tina Solis, and partner Tom Hecht, all of the Chicago office.

      Jan 10, 2023
    • Montana Right Now

      Agencies file motion seeking clarification on preliminary injunction related to birth certificate law

      This article covers a motion filed by NP and the ACLU of Montana asking the court to clarify in simple terms its preliminary injunction against a Montana state law restricting transgender people’s ability to change the sex designation on their birth certificates. The NP team involved in this matter includes Complex Disputes partners Seth Horvath and Tina Solis, partner Tom Hecht, and associate Christina Kurow, all of the Chicago office.
      June 8, 2022
    • The Advocate

      ACLU blasts Montana's delay on trans birth certificate order

      This article highlights a claim by the ACLU of Montana and NP that the state of Montana is failing to comply with a recent court order blocking a state law that would restrict the ability of transgender people to change their gender designation on their birth certificates. The NP team involved in this matter includes Complex Dispute partners Seth Horvath and Tina Solis, partner Tom Hecht, and associate Christina Kurow, all of the Chicago office.
      May 23, 2022
    • Washington Blade

      Montana state court blocks anti-trans birth certificate law

      The following article covers NP’s and the ACLU of Montana’s success in securing a preliminary injunction against a Montana state law restricting transgender people’s ability to change the sex designation on their birth certificates, including a quote from Chicago Complex Disputes partner Seth Horvath on the positive impacts of the ruling. The NP team also includes Chicago Complex Disputes partner Tina Solis, partner Tom Hecht, and associate Christina Kurow.
      April 21, 2022
    • NBC Montana

      Injunction granted in case challenging birth certificate law

      The following article covers NP’s and the ACLU of Montana’s success in securing a preliminary injunction against a Montana state law restricting transgender people’s ability to change the sex designation on their birth certificates, including a quote from Chicago Complex Disputes partner Seth Horvath on the positive impacts of the ruling. The NP team also includes Chicago Complex Disputes partner Tina Solis, partner Tom Hecht, and associate Christina Kurow.
      April 21, 2022
    • The Advocate

      Iowa Medicaid program must cover gender-affirming care, judge rules

      This article on a recent district court ruling in Iowa requiring the state to provide Medicaid coverage for gender-affirmation surgeries to two transgender individuals mentions the firm for the work by Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes partners Seth Horvath, Tina Solis and Tom Hecht as pro bono counsel. The court found that denial of coverage violates both the Iowa Civil Rights Act and the equal protection guarantee of the state’s constitution.
      Nov 24, 2021
    • NBC News

      ACLU sues Montana over transgender ID law requiring proof of surgery

      This article covers a lawsuit filed by the ACLU challenging Montana’s Senate Bill 280—a new law requiring transgender individuals to prove they have undergone gender affirming surgery in order to change the gender marker on their identifying documents. The story mentions the firm for the pro bono work by Chicago partners Seth Horvath, Tina Solis and Tom Hecht, of the Complex Commercial Disputes group, who are representing the plaintiffs together with national ACLU and the ACLU of Montana.
      July 16, 2021
    • Courthouse News Service

      Iowa sued over denial of Medicaid coverage for sex reassignment

      This story, focusing on ACLU-Iowa’s lawsuit to strike down as unconstitutional the state’s practice of denying Medicaid coverage for medically necessary gender-affirming surgery to transgender Iowans, mentions Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes partners Seth Horvath, Tina Solis, and Tom Hecht for serving as pro bono counsel.
      April 22, 2021
    • Chicago Lawyer

      Ready for a fight: Trio of Nixon Peabody attorneys honored by ACLU of Iowa for work representing transgender clients

      This story profiles Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes partners Seth Horvath, Tom Hecht and Tina Solis, who received an honor from the ACLU of Iowa for their years-long representation of two transgender clients who were denied Medicaid coverage for their gender-affirming surgeries.
      Nov 20, 2019
    • The American Lawyer

      Slideshow: Pro bono brought Big Law out in force

      Nixon Peabody is mentioned in this roundup of notable pro bono cases. The article highlights the victory that Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes partners Tom Hecht, Seth Horvath, and Tina Solis, with assistance from associate Bill Kirby and eDiscovery specialist Anders van Marter, won in Iowa Supreme Court in a matter involving Medicaid coverage of gender-affirming surgery for transgender individuals.
      June 26, 2019
    • American Lawyer

      And the LOTW runners up...

      Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes partners Seth Horvath, Tom Hecht and Tina Solis are mentioned in this article as runners-up for AmLaw’s Litigators of the Week award for their win at the Iowa Supreme Court in a matter involving Medicaid coverage of gender-affirming surgery for transgender people.
      March 15, 2019
    • Courthouse News Service

      Iowa justices say Medicaid covers sex-change surgery

      In the following coverage, Chicago partners Tom Hecht, Seth Horvath, and Tina Solis are mentioned in a series of articles covering the Iowa Supreme Court decision in favor of their clients, two transgender women who were denied Medicaid coverage for their gender-affirming surgeries, in violation of the Iowa Constitution and civil rights statutes. Chicago associate Bill Kirby and eDiscovery specialist Anders van Marter were also on the team.
      March 8, 2019
    • Bloomberg Law

      Transgender Medicaid patients notch big win in Iowa

      In the following coverage, Chicago partners Tom Hecht, Seth Horvath, and Tina Solis are mentioned in a series of articles covering the Iowa Supreme Court decision in favor of their clients, two transgender women who were denied Medicaid coverage for their gender-affirming surgeries, in violation of the Iowa Constitution and civil rights statutes. Chicago associate Bill Kirby and eDiscovery specialist Anders van Marter were also on the team.
      March 8, 2019

    Admitted to practice

    Illinois
    U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
    U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
    Federal Trial Bar, Northern District of Illinois
    U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin

    Education

    University of Iowa, B.A., high honors
    University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., high honors

    Professional activities

    • Member, Seventh Circuit Electronic Discovery Pilot Program Committee
    • Associate Board Member, Coordinated Advice and Referral Program for Legal Services (CARPLS)
    • Associate Board Member, P.A.W.S.
    • Board Member, Alumni Engagement & Development Committee, Iowa Law School Foundation
    • Member, Chicago Bar Association
    • Member, Illinois State Bar Association

    Recognition

    • Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2008 - 2011
    • Continental Who’s Who

    Insights And Happenings

    View All
    • Podcast

      Tina Solis on making a law firm move the smart way

      Litigation
      March 20, 2023
    View All

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      • Office:415.984.8309
      • abarron@nixonpeabody.com
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    • Kimberly Harding

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      • Office:585.263.1037
      • kharding@nixonpeabody.com
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    • John Ruskusky

      Partner / Practice Group Leader, Complex Disputes / Leader, Medical Device, Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostic Health
      • Chicago
      • Office:312.977.4460
        Mobile:708.606.8720
      • jtruskusky@nixonpeabody.com
      John Ruskusky
    • Jeffrey S. Brenner

      Partner / Practice Group Leader, Construction & Real Estate Litigation
      • Providence
      • Office:401.454.1042
      • jbrenner@nixonpeabody.com
      Jeffrey S. Brenner
    • Daniel J. Hurteau

      Partner / Deputy Practice Group Leader, Complex Disputes
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      • Office:518.427.2652
      • dhurteau@nixonpeabody.com
      Daniel J. Hurteau
    View All

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