EXPERIENCE MATTERS
It’s simple: experience matters. That is why Solomon and Schueler combined to offer clients our collective national law firm experience in HR counseling, employment law solutions and courtroom savvy.
You know who we are: problem solvers who can navigate their way through any employment issue using judgment and common sense, with the goal of minimizing the risk of litigation. When litigation does arise, however, we are effective advocates who understand what will be important to a judge or jury, resulting in a track record of courtroom successes for employers.
You know what we do: whatever HR or employment issue you may have, we and our team are ready to listen, advise and solve, keeping your business goals - and your budget – in mind. We are committed to saving you time and resources, so that you can manage your business while we manage your legal affairs.
It’s simple: experience really does matter.
Our Legal/HR Team
Cristina Portela Solomon
csolomon@emplawteam.com
Cristina Portela Solomon is an experienced labor and employment law attorney whom clients hire for her sound business and legal judgment informed by more than 35 years representing management in most industries, with an emphasis on energy and financial institutions. Cristina counsels clients on how best to manage risk and negotiate cost-effective business solutions by effectively managing their workforce while complying with the numerous and complex employment laws governing the employment relationship. Boards of directors rely on her to conduct high-level investigations and advise on business issues of high importance to the company. Cristina is particularly knowledgeable about and conducts investigations involving sexual harassment, theft of trade secrets, and virtually any type of workplace misconduct. Fluent in Spanish, she represents an array of Latin American clients in these types of investigations, and counsels companies seeking to do business in the United States. Clients value Cristina’s practical legal advice, which focuses on avoiding the uncertainties of litigation. Her comprehensive services include drafting employment, noncompete, and confidentiality agreements, employee handbooks and related documents in a manner geared toward protecting employers from employee claims. When litigation becomes necessary, Cristina is known for developing creative strategies and assembling teams that bring about successful results and/or early resolution. She is a “go to” for bet-the-company cases in the trade secrets area, as well as multi-claimant gender discrimination cases. Her advocacy skills inspire clients to entrust her with their most important cases. Given her experience, Cristina also is hired to handle appeals of employment cases, for which she collaborates with the firm’s appellate lawyers to obtain successful results or negotiate favorable resolutions. Education University of Notre Dame Law School (J.D., 1984) Loyola University Chicago (B.A., cum laude, 1981) Admissions Texas (1984) Texas State Courts (1984) U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas Northern District of Texas Southern District of Texas Western District of Texas U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit U.S. Supreme Court
Stephen W Schueler
sschueler@emplawteam.com
With many years of experience as a trial and employment lawyer, Steve Schueler brings a unique perspective counselling clients regarding human resources issues and employment law matters. He knows firsthand the situations that can lead to employment-related claims and lawsuits, and, as a result, can effectively advise clients on drafting employment policies and agreements, conducting investigations and terminations and/or other employment-related actions, in a way that will minimize the risk of litigation. He has represented employers in virtually every industry and can quickly understand the unique problems and issues of a wide array of clients. As an experienced litigator, Steve is an effective advocate and has represented employers in both the courtroom and before administrative agencies. Always keeping the "big picture" in mind, Steve understands that employers are looking for effective and efficient business solutions. Steve’s Experience includes: • Employment-Related Agreements. Steve has many years of experience in both drafting and litigating all types of employment agreements, including confidentiality documents, non-competition agreements, as well as severance and termination programs and agreements. This background allows him to draft and advise clients on non-compete, confidentiality and trade secret protection agreements and related documents. He brings these same skills to the dissolution or defense of injunctive actions when that is required. • Discrimination Claims: Experience in representing employers in investigating, evaluating, responding to and litigating employment discrimination claims arising under both state and federal discrimination laws. • Wage and Hour Claims: Experience in representing employers in defending both individual and collective-action claims brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act for back pay, overtime and/or misclassification. • Retaliation Claims: Experience in defending employers from retaliation claims under both federal and state statutes. • Administrative Claims: Experience in representing employers in administrative actions before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Texas Workforce Commission, in addition to prelitigation counseling. • Compliance Issues: Experience in assisting employers in complying with federal and state laws regarding wage and hour issues, and drafting employment manuals and other personnel policies that decrease the risk of liability for employers. Education University of Texas School of Law J.D. Teaching Quizmaster University of Texas Law School Member Moot Court Board Semifinalist, Hildebrand Moot Court Competition Texas Christian University B.A. Inter-Collegiate Debate Team Admissions Texas All State Courts, Texas U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit U.S. Supreme Court U.S. District Court Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas
Anacarolina Estaba
aestaba@emplawteam.com
Anacarolina advises U.S. and international clients on high-stakes, cross-border corporate, commercial, M&A and labor and employment matters. She brings deep experience representing international clients in U.S. transactions and disputes, including corporate transactions, commercial real estate, family office structures, and complex litigation, including cases involving non-compete and non-solicitation agreements and claims of theft of trade secrets. Her practice also encompasses global dispute resolution, with a focus on complex litigation involving maritime, marine, energy, transportation, and commercial matters. In addition, she advises clients on regulatory and government-relations issues, including immigration-related matters. Anacarolina has participated in a broad range of cross-border transactions and dispute matters—including litigation, arbitration, and mediation—across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Korea, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Paraguay, Spain, Taiwan, Uruguay, and Venezuela. She is a native Spanish speaker and is a “go to” lawyer for Latin American clients in particular. Representative Matters and Areas of Focus · Labor and employment matters · Vessel collisions and allisions · Maritime liens, seizures, and enforcement actions · Salvage, towage, general average, insurance, and contractual indemnity disputes · Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), aviation, and cargo matters · Governmental fines and enforcement actions · Solar and wind energy projects · Insurance compliance, coverage, and bad-faith claims · Government and regulatory compliance · Family office investments and structuring · International discovery · Commercial real estate transactions · Mergers, acquisitions, and dispositions of assets, shares, and real property · International regulatory matters involving the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and other economic sanctions Professional Affiliations: · Member, State Bar of Texas · Member, New York State Bar · Member, American Bar Association · Member, Venezuelan Bar Association Education: · University of Zulia (J.D.) · University of Houston Law Center (LLM) Admissions: · Texas U.S. District Court for the Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts · New York U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York · U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third and Fifth Circuits · Venezuelan Courts Languages: · English · Spanish
Fran (Blair) Ikard
Fran (Blair) Ikard has spent the past 40 years employed as a Human Resources Professional, the last 17 as Senior Vice President. She attended college at UT Pan Am and Texas State University. She began her career in banking, then worked for eight years at 2 downtown Houston law firms. From 1997 to 2023, Fran worked as an HR Manager at Amegy Bank, Independent Bank and CommunityBank of Texas. She was responsible for the management of teams of professionals who provided Generalist support to leaders and staff. Fran provided Consultant/Business Partner services and successfully managed the implementation of HR strategies by establishing department accountabilities. This included her specialties of: •Talent Acquisition •Performance Management •Conflict/Complaint Resolution •Offboarding •Health & Welfare Benefits •Salary Administration •Mergers & Acquisitions •Educational Assistance Program •Legal & Regulatory Compliance •Policies and Procedures •Efficiencies Fran has joined the team as an HR Consultant focusing primarily on workplace investigations and providing assistance on EEOC charges.