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In the bustling corridors of leading regional law firm Gibbons P.C., Ricardo Solano Jr. commands not only a thriving white-collar defense and investigations practice but also a commitment to nurturing the next generation of legal minds. As cochair, he counsels clients and navigates them through crises, currently representing a codefendant in Senator Robert Menendez’s high-profile bribery and corruption case.
However, Solano’s dedication to mentorship transcends the confines of his office, embodying a deeply personal philosophy: to honor those who selflessly supported him on his journey to success.
“I feel an obligation to help others achieve their goals, because there’s no way I reach where I am without the many others who sacrificed and invested in me,” Solano says.
Growing up in Paterson, New Jersey, Solano saw the sacrifices his Cuban mother and grandmother made, which profoundly influenced his outlook on life. His father died before Solano’s second birthday. So, he very quickly learned the importance of having a solid work ethic, watching his mother work night shifts and odd jobs just to make ends meet. Solano realized the way out of this poverty was gaining a good education.
The realization compelled him to focus on education and pick a lucrative career. He entered New York University as pre-med and charted out his progression as student, resident, and medical specialist. Then, he took an unexpected turn to philosophy after encountering an influential and inspirational professor.
“I feel an obligation to help others achieve their goals, because there’s no way I reach where I am without the many others who sacrificed and invested in me.”
Ricardo Solano Jr.
That professor became one of Solano’s early mentors, and graduation was coming up before long. As Solano looked to the future, he realized a life in academia likely wouldn’t help him achieve his financial goals. A philosophy degree, however, was a great foundation for a career in the law.
Solano took the LSAT two weeks later, scored well, and accepted a scholarship to Seton Hall University School of Law. “The relationships, friends, contacts, skills, and knowledge I gained at Seton Hall Law School made my career,” Solano says. He graduated second in his class and entered New Jersey’s robust legal market.
Over the course of his studies and early career, Solano developed an interest in criminal defense. He clerked in the New Jersey Supreme Court before working as a law clerk for Maryanne Trump Barry in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. The chance to work for the renowned judge opened doors for him to join the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. By age twenty-six, he was helping argue cases and handle appeals.
When Solano arrived at the office, he was one of just four Hispanics out of over 150 Assistant US Attorneys. The other three became his first mentors and lifelong friends. Each member of the quartet was a first-generation college student in a family of immigrants. “I found people like me who looked out for me, supported me, and wanted to make sure I would succeed,” he says.
After five years gaining deep trial experience, Solano was ready to enter private practice as a criminal defense attorney. He spent two years at Gibbons, and although he credits devoted partners for pouring into his development, he left for an opportunity to be the second-in-command at the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General and later built a successful practice at another firm.
Then in 2023, Solano returned to Gibbons after fifteen years to reunite with one of his mentors and run the firm’s growing white-collar practice, managing ongoing strategies while demonstrating how critical it is to maintain one’s professional network over time.
“The power of keeping your relationships strong is unlimited,” he says. “When you work with someone, you never know when and where your paths might cross again.” Solano’s closest friends are from his Seton Hall graduating class. They share meals together, their kids play together, and they even work together sometimes.
While he spends most of his time focusing on his caseload, he sets many hours aside each month to mentor junior associates and oversee the professional development of young lawyers. For the veteran legal leader, offering formal and informal mentorship is not only a way to give back but also how he honors those who put their own needs second to help him get to where he is today.
“The power of keeping your relationships strong is unlimited. When you work with someone, you never know when and where your paths might cross again.”
Ricardo Solano Jr.
His advice for the next generation of young lawyers comes in two simple truths: don’t burn bridges, and treat everyone with respect.
When Solano isn’t working on his caseload or mentoring, he supports the work of the Hispanic National Bar Association and the Latin American Law Students Association. “I spend time working with organizations that promote other Hispanic attorneys because I want to do whatever I can to help them succeed,” he says.
Today, Solano still lives in New Jersey, but he’s come a long way from his roots in the mill town of Paterson. Although his grandmother has passed away, he still gets to spend time with his mom, especially after helping her retire early to spend more time with her grandchildren. “That’s the best gift I could ever give her,” he says. “She wasn’t there when I was a kid because she was working to give me a better future. And she can be there now.”
From clerking for renowned judges to advocating in high-stakes cases, Solano’s path is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the enduring power of building relationships.
