Attorney Andres Jimenez-Franck

Attorney Andrés Jiménez-Franck is an associate in the Stamford office of Ogletree Deakins, where he is an employment lawyer whose clients include international and Fortune 500 corporations. “I advise clients on complying with relevant state and federal law applying to the workplace,” he said. “I also represent clients in legal disputes in state and federal court, as well as in state and federal agency proceedings.”

Within his firm, Jiménez-Franck is a member of the Latinx business resource group, ODAdelante. Professionally, he’s the former treasurer of the Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association, a former Presidential Fellow and current Secretary of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association, and in 2023 was named a Connecticut Super Lawyers Rising Star.

He will also proudly tell you: “I am a first-generation college student and a first-generation lawyer” whose education began at Western Connecticut State University.

“I grew up in Connecticut and briefly in Westchester County, New York,” he explained. “I went to Naugatuck High School and graduated in 2011. When it was time to consider colleges, I looked at other universities — especially many private institutions — and ultimately chose WCSU because it offered a valuable education at a reasonable price.

“I also had the opportunity to try out for the soccer team,” Jiménez-Franck continued, “and I was motivated to become a student-athlete. Danbury is a great and diverse city experiencing lots of growth, and being able to live in this community was an exciting prospect. The university is also close to New York City, which I visited frequently by train.”

Jiménez-Franck said, “I was always curious about becoming a lawyer, but it never felt like a reality that was possible for me. Once I was enrolled in Justice and Law Administration courses, the possibility of law school felt more attainable as I gained confidence in my skills and had a better understanding of legal processes. Several instructors were also lawyers themselves, and very open with students about their own experiences and how they got to where they are. Once I understood the path I needed to take, I was able to plan and prepare myself for the future. The JLA program can be a rigorous program, and it is run by dedicated instructors who use comprehensive curricula. I felt prepared leaving college to take my LSAT, the entry exam for law school.”

Jiménez-Franck participated in the Moot Court program while at WCSU, which was his first real experience with things like oral argument and legal writing. “Getting this early experience put me ahead of many of my classmates when I entered my first year of law school at the University of Connecticut School of Law,” he said.

He also was a member of the Kathwari Honors Program, which “earned me the privilege of being able to enroll in specially curated courses, all of which were comprised of multi-disciplinary subjects and instructors,” Jiménez-Franck said. “It provided me with a challenging educational experience and showed me that there are often several different ways to approach an issue or solve a problem. I apply this experience today when I am counseling a client or trying to solve a legal issue.”

The hours and dedication spent as team captain for WestConn’s DIII soccer team still influence his law practice. “My experience as a student athlete taught me the importance of time management, which is key for anyone practicing law, especially when managing court deadlines and litigation strategy,” he said. “As a student-athlete, I had to be able to effectively manage my studies along with my obligations to practice and games, in order to be successful. Being a student athlete also further instilled the benefits of being a team player and pulling together with colleagues to achieve a common goal. I view my clients as my teammates and I draw from my experience as an athlete in how I approach work in the office and in the courtroom.”

Jiménez-Franck graduated from WCSU in 2015, and enjoys looking back. “My favorite memories at WCSU include game days, whether playing in them or cheering on my friends,” he said. “There is a great team spirit at WCSU, we have a beautiful sports facility, and we all want our teams to achieve their goals. The first days of spring on campus are also among my favorite memories,” he continued. “The Midtown campus is especially pretty this time of year, and when the foliage on the Midtown campus begins to bloom, everyone is outside either walking to class, catching up with friends, or studying in the warm sun. It produces an energizing experience that makes you happy and excited to be on campus.”

In addition to the happy memories, Jiménez-Franck also has pragmatic reasons to praise his alma mater. “I would 100% recommend a friend to go to WCSU,” he said. “As an institution, you could not find a better value for your education anywhere in the state. WCSU offers a wide range of studies and has a diverse student population. My college degree from WCSU changed the course of my life and prepared me for my professional career.”

Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high-quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals and leaders in a global society. Our vision: To be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.