Homero Tristan was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Human Resources by Mayor Richard M. Daley on June 10, 2008. Mr. Tristan came to city government from private practice at a law firm, where he was a founding member, partner and manager since 2002.
Mr. Tristan’s distinguished law career has centered on employment related issues with particular emphasis on Human Resources and Labor Relations. In private practice he worked with companies to provide counseling and legal services in the areas of labor and employment law. He often interacted with Human Resources Directors to create and implement pragmatic personnel policies.
Mr. Tristan began his career with the National Labor Relations Board where he investigated and litigated hundreds of cases involving allegations of Unfair Labor Practices.
He then joined the law firm of Jackson Lewis where he represented primarily Fortune 100 corporations in labor and employment issues. At Jackson Lewis, he represented clients before Federal, State and Administrative agencies, and often advised them on issues related to their employee relations.
Mr. Tristan comes to the Department of Human Resources with an eye to technology as it relates to greater efficiency and transparency, "During the past year the Department has made many technological advancements, including implementing an online application system and automated applicant screening procedures, my goal is to take these achievements further by applying them to our overall hiring process and implement leading practices in hiring."
"I also want to see employees and managers take advantage of the many and varied programs available through Human Resources which are designed to foster personal growth and professional advancement," Commissioner Tristan added. Mr. Tristan is a member of several professional organizations, including the Chicago Bar Association, the Society of Human Resources Professionals, the Hispanic National Bar Association, and is a past-President of the Hispanic Lawyer’s Association of Illinois.
A life long Chicagoan, Mr. Tristan received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics from Loyola University and a Master of Science degree in Industrial Relations from Loyola University, where his thesis research focused on legislation related to employee classification and where he served as a research assistant on issues centering on training and recruitment.
He received his Juris Doctor degree from DePaul College of Law. Mr. Tristan is a member of the Illinois Bar and admitted to practice law in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
