Francis P. Alvarez

Francis P. (Frank) Alvarez is a Partner in the White Plains, New York office of Jackson Lewis. Mr. Alvarez is the national coordinator of Jackson Lewis’ Disability, Leave and Health Management Practice Group, which assists employers in meeting the legal and practical challenges posed by federal and state laws protecting injured and ill employees.

Counseling hundreds of employers each year, Mr. Alvarez spearheads the firm’s effort to provide imaginative and creative solutions to the complex array of workplace disability and health management issues faced by both large and small companies. In the Jackson Lewis tradition, Mr. Alvarez counsels clients with the goal of either avoiding litigation entirely or improving outcomes before administrative agencies, courts and juries.

Mr. Alvarez especially enjoys assisting clients conduct the “individualized assessment” required by a growing number of federal and state laws. These efforts include helping employers effectively communicate with employees and medical providers in an effort to evaluate potential risks to health and safety posed by employee injuries or illnesses. In an area of law in which there often are few bright lines, Mr. Alvarez attempts to develop practical and constructive solutions centered on the concept he calls "tc2" -- taking care of employees and taking control of risks.

Admitted to Practice

  • New York (1991)
  • Connecticut (1990)

Education

  • Fordham University, J.D., 1990
  • Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations, B.S., 1985

Bar and Professional Association Memberships

  • American Bar Association
    • Member, Labor and Employment Law Section
    • Member, Litigation Section
  • Connecticut Bar Association
    • Member, Labor and Employment Law Section
    • Member, Litigation Committee
    • Member, Workers' Compensation Committee
  • Society for Human Resource Management 2002 - Present

 

Michael J. Soltis

Michael J. Soltis is Managing Partner of the Stamford, Connecticut office of Jackson Lewis LLP. He received his J.D., magna cum laude, from New York Law School and received a Master of Laws degree (LL.M.) in Labor Law from New York University. Mr. Soltis is a member of the Bar of the State of Connecticut and the Bar of the State of New York. He is also admitted to practice before various federal courts in New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Texas and Ohio.

Mr. Soltis has represented employers in a wide range of employment and labor matters for more than 30 years. He has advised on and litigated matters involving just about every type of employment claim, including discrimination claims, family and medical leave claims, public policy and whistleblower claims, contract claims, and common law employment claims. He has litigated cases in state court and federal district court and has argued appeals at the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. In addition, he has extensive experience on all aspects of family and disability leave management, layoff planning and implementation, and workplace wellness initiatives.

Mr. Soltis has negotiated more than 100 collective bargaining agreements in a variety of industries. In addition, he has counseled numerous other employers, “away from the table,” through their collective bargaining. He has a particular expertise in incorporating “lean” concepts into collective bargaining agreements. Mr. Soltis regularly advises employers on labor contract interpretation and administration. He has represented employers at dozens of labor arbitrations.

He has authored numerous articles on employment and labor law topics for national and state publications and is a frequent speaker on these topics to legal and business audiences. He has most recently authored The Connecticut Employment Law Manual 2009-2010 Edition.

In 2008 and 2009, Mr. Soltis was named a Connecticut Super Lawyer and a New England Super Lawyer.

Admitted to Practice

  • Connecticut (1991)
  • New York (1979)
  • 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals (1999)
  • 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals (1986)
  • U.S. District Courts
    • Connecticut - D. Conn. (1990)
    • New York - W.D. N.Y. (1989)
    • Ohio - N.D. Ohio (1989)
    • Texas - N.D. Tex. (1988)
    • New York - E.D. N.Y. (1986)
    • New York - E.D. N.Y. (1979)

Education

  • New York University, LL.M, 1986
  • New York Law School, J.D., Magna Cum Laude, 1978 University of Connecticut, B.A., 1975

Bar and Professional Association Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Connecticut Bar Association
  • Connecticut Business and Industry Association
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Southern Connecticut Chapter of SHRM