Frank Martinez | Partner | New York
I’ve come at employment law from all sides.
I’ve been practicing for nearly 30 years, and I’ve seen employment law from just about every angle: plaintiff, defense, in-house, outside counsel, and even my own practice. Most recently, I spent nearly a decade at an international luxury goods conglomerate and then served as general counsel for the Americas at luxury fashion house. Those roles gave me deep business perspective, but eventually I realized I was ready for a different chapter.
This felt like we were building something together.
When Fisher Phillips entered the picture, what stood out immediately was that it didn’t feel like I was joining a firm – it felt like we were forming some type of strategic undertaking. The enthusiasm was real and the support was tangible. And the firm was willing to design a path that recognized my background – without expecting me to walk in with a book of business. From the beginning, I felt like I was part of something collaborative. We were aligned on what I could bring to the firm and how the firm would support me in building a practice. That initial feeling has absolutely proven true.
My integration was intentional, structured, and process focused.
From day one, I had help building a thoughtful business plan around my experience in the luxury retail space. The firm paired me with dedicated business development support, set clear 30-, 90-, and six-month milestones, and gave me the runway to build, not just pressure to perform overnight. It wasn’t about chasing goals. It was about trusting the process and letting the results follow.
I felt like part of the “family” almost immediately.
The partner retreat in my second week was a defining moment. I was welcomed warmly, introduced across the firm, and immediately felt like one of the team. Since then, collaboration has come naturally, with partners picking up the phone, asking how they can help, and looking for ways to work together.
I’m very happy with the choice I made.
While returning to firm life meant embracing the billable hour again, the tradeoff was a truly great environment. The firm’s growth trajectory is exciting – we have more than 800 attorneys for employment law, which is complex and localized. Clients need seamless compliance across states, and we can deliver that. Almost a year in, I feel supported, energized, and excited about what’s ahead. I’m building something meaningful here, and I’m glad I took the leap.
