Managing Partner, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Michael Gerstenzang joined Cleary Gottlieb in 1992 and became Managing Partner in 2017. In a Forbes interview about his plans for the firm during his term, Michael named “respect for individuals, and diversity – whether that’s international or racial or gender” as one of the firm's guiding principles.
Cleary Gottlieb promotes diversity in many ways. The firm offers a Women’s Working Group that provides networking and professional development opportunities for employees and partners with several pipeline programs that provide mentoring and internships. Cleary Gottlieb also initiated a partnership with Washington Irving High School in New York City, through which they mentor, tutor, offer internships to, and sponsor students.
Joined LCLD 2009
Highlights of LCLD Participation
Fellows Program
Fellows nominated:
2020: Jamal Fulton; 2011: Kara A. Hailey
Pathfinder Program
Pathfinders nominated:
2023: Synne Chapman, Shuangjun Wang, Samuel Chang, Kelsey Nussenfeld
1L LCLD Scholars Program
Scholars hosted:
2022: Poiret Coulibaly, Sonia Helen Pascale, Jordan Terry, Catherine Crevecoeur, Mikhail Grant; 2021: John Ferguson, Jabari Matthew, Eriele Tellis; 2020: Taylor Nicolas, Sidarth Singh, Lauren Davilla, Isabella Forero, Sandra Scott, Tomisin Ogunsanya, Jabari Matthew, Jason Petty, Habib-Emmanuel Abraham, Jeremiah Evans; 2019: Bear Reeves, Erin Mason, Derrick Parker
Attendance
Annual Meeting (2018)
Member: Michael Gerstenzang
Diversity Professionals: Sean A. O'Neal, Kenya Rodriguez
