Carlos J. Saavedra-Gutiérrez
Summary
Experienced attorney with comprehensive legal expertise and strong focus on client advocacy and case management. High level experience both in private and public sector. Adept at team collaboration, ensuring seamless workflow and adapting to evolving needs. Skilled in labor and employment law, litigation, legal research, and strategic planning, consistently achieving favorable outcomes. Known for reliability, integrity, and effective communication.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal
Jackson Lewis, LLC
11.2021 - Current
- Representing employers in all aspects of employment litigation, including discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, restrictive covenants, and breach of employment contract claims.
- Advising on and addressing workplace issues to ensure compliance and mitigate risks, including assessing and managing potential legal risks associated with employment practices, developing and preparing comprehensive employee handbooks and policies, and offering strategic counsel to support employers in maintaining a productive and legally compliant work environment.
Chief Legal Officer
Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority of Puerto Rico
08.2019 - 10.2021
- Supervised the authority’s legal department, including legislative affairs, internal corporate affairs, communications with the Puerto Rico Financial Oversight and Management Board, general legal compliance aspects, and compliance with legal requirements of PROMESA.
- Directed and coordinated all litigation matters related to the largest in-Court municipal bankruptcy-like proceeding in the history of the United States.
- Led negotiations with creditors on behalf of Government of Puerto Rico in order to restructure over $70 billion in debt across 17 different issuers in Puerto Rico.
General Counsel and Labor Affairs Adviser
Office of the Governor of Puerto Rico
02.2019 - 08.2019
- Advised the Governor of Puerto Rico on all legal matters, including legislation analysis, legal compliance, draft executive orders, provide general advice and oversight of all labor and employment law related matters, and supervise all litigation related to public policy matters.
- Coordinated the Governor’s legal position as part of the Puerto Rico Bankruptcy-like proceedings under Title III of PROMESA.
Secretary of Labor
Department of Labor and Human Resources
01.2017 - 05.2019
- Member of the constitutional Cabinet of the Government of Puerto Rico, managing a budget of over $100 million.
- As Secretary, led and established policy for the department in charge of executing and implementing labor and employment law policy in Puerto Rico. Advised the Governor on all matters concerning employment regulations, employee benefits and general economic development policy.
- Implemented the 2017 Labor Reform of Puerto Rico. This major legislation completely overhauled labor regulations in Puerto Rico by reducing bureaucratic processes and updating the employment legal framework, while adding additional protections for employees.
Field Attorney
National Labor Relations Board
08.2015 - 12.2016
- Acted on behalf of the General Counsel, investigated charges of unfair labor practices, litigated cases, conducted elections to determine union representation preferences, and acted as hearing officer in contested representation matters.
Associate
O’Neill & Borges, LLC
09.2013 - 06.2014
- Labor and Employment Law Department.
- Represent management in a myriad of labor related issues, including matters such as employment contracts, employment discrimination, harassment and retaliation, privacy rights, defamation, statutory protections against wrongful discharges, and others.
Law Clerk
Supreme Court of Puerto Rico
09.2011 - 08.2013
- Conducted legal research to be used in court opinions.
- Drafted court orders and opinions.
- Analyzed appeals and writs of certiorari in order to advise Justice Pabón Charneco on proper case disposition.
Education
Juris Doctor -
University of Puerto Rico School of Law
05.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras
05.2008
Skills
- Employee performance evaluations
- Staff management
- Verbal and written communication
Affiliations
- Selected to Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities, representing the University of Puerto Rico School of Law (2011).
- Member of the Puerto Rico Lawyers Association, July 2011 – present.
- Editor-in-Chief Puerto Rico Lawyer’ Association Law Review, Volume 1.
- Member of the American Bar Association, August 2008 – present.
- Section of Labor and Employment Law
- Section of Litigation
Publications
- La Uniformidad en el Derecho; Análisis de la metodología adjudicativa de la Juez Anabelle Rodríguez, 80 Rev. Jur. U.P.R. 203 (2011).
- Incorporación De Jure
- Incorporación De Facto: Dos avenidas para erradicar fantasmas constitucionales, 80 Rev. Jur. U.P.R. 967 (2011). (cited on several occasions by the Puerto Rico Supreme Court).
- Libertad de Asociación y Colegiación Compulsoria: Una propuesta del estándar constitucional aplicable, 1 Rev. Jur. AAPR 23 (2013).
Bar Admissions
- Puerto Rico Supreme Court (March 2012) Attorney No. 18,668
- United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico (April 2021) Attorney No. 304008
Timeline
Principal
Jackson Lewis, LLC
11.2021 - Current
Chief Legal Officer
Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority of Puerto Rico
08.2019 - 10.2021
General Counsel and Labor Affairs Adviser
Office of the Governor of Puerto Rico
02.2019 - 08.2019
Secretary of Labor
Department of Labor and Human Resources
01.2017 - 05.2019
Field Attorney
National Labor Relations Board
08.2015 - 12.2016
Associate
O’Neill & Borges, LLC
09.2013 - 06.2014
Law Clerk
Supreme Court of Puerto Rico
09.2011 - 08.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras
Juris Doctor -
University of Puerto Rico School of Law
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