Carlos Ortiz focuses his practice in the areas of employment compliance, immigration and mobility and has extensive experience in consumer and class action financial services litigation. He has litigated cases in federal and state courts across the country, as well as before various administrative bodies. Carlos has successfully tried both jury and bench trials and has prevailed on a number of dispositive motions. He handles all phases of litigation, from developing a cost-effective and results-oriented case strategy to resolution at the trial and appellate level, if necessary. Carlos has also negotiated resolutions involving terms favorable to his clients in hundreds of matters that included individual and putative class claims.
As a member of the firm’s Employment Advice and Investigations practice, Carlos represents employers across various industries. He is experienced working on employment-related cases, harassment and discrimination claims, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), wrongful discharge and various other state and federal employment statutes. He also has experience handling claims involving the enforcement of restrictive covenants and has successfully obtained temporary restraining orders and injunctions. Additionally, he counsels employers on risk management and compliance issues.
In the area of immigration law, Carlos focuses on both employment-based and family immigration matters. He works with employers and religious entities in obtaining various work visas for their foreign employees. He counsels employers on Form I-9 compliance and Social Security no-match letters. In addition, Carlos works with clients on international migration issues. Carlos’ experience in this area includes, but is not limited to: successfully petitioning for visas under B-1, B-2, E-1, E-2, EB-1, EB-2, EB-3 H-1B, H-2B, H-3, J-1, K-1, L, O-1, P, TN, TD, and R. He assists individuals with obtaining permanent residency and citizenship in the United States. Carlos has also handled matters involving asylum and temporary protected status. He has litigated matters involving alleged violations of state statutes that govern nonlawyers consulting on immigration matters. He also has handled appeals to the Administrative Appeals Office.
In the consumer and class action financial services litigation arena, Carlos defends against claims arising from the application of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), Truth-in-Lending Act (TILA), Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), Illinois Collection Agency Act, Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, and the Wisconsin Consumer Act, as well as various state and federal consumer and mortgage-related laws. His clients in this area include businesses, corporate entities, mortgage lenders and servicers, creditors, asset purchases and third-party debt collectors. Additionally, Carlos represents clients regarding investigations by regulatory agencies and attorneys general and has counseled clients in responding to subpoenas in this context.
