Cleary Gottlieb hosted its National Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, “Strengthening Community Through the Latinx Lens,” featuring John Quiñones, ABC news veteran and creator and host of What Would You Do?
Cleary Managing Partner Michael Gerstenzang provided welcome remarks, and associate Ignacio Lagos and litigation practice operations manager Dahlia Davila moderated the fireside chat following John’s impactful and compelling keynote address.
John discussed his life and career as a trailblazer in broadcast journalism. A lifetime of “never taking no for an answer,” John was born in San Antonio, Texas, to a family of migrant farm workers. After receiving his masters from Columbia University, John took a job as a local reporter in Chicago, which is where he began his career in undercover journalism. “I realized that these were the kind of stories I was meant to tell,” said John. “A candle in the darkness,” as he describes, John loves being a network reporter because he gets to shine light on issues that people don’t necessarily want to address.
With more than 30 years at ABC News, the anchor desk at 20/20 and Primetime, and seven national Emmy Awards for his reporting over the years, John has emerged as one of the most popular inspirational speakers in the world today. His moving presentations focus on his odds-defying journey, celebrate the life-changing power of education, champion the Latino American Dream, and provide thought-provoking insights into human nature and ethical behavior.
As host and creator of What Would You Do?, the highly rated, hidden camera ethical dilemma news magazine now on its 15th season, John has become “the face of doing the right thing” to millions of fans. It’s a role that he has enthusiastically embraced off camera, with a popular book and inspirational keynote presentations that challenge both business and general audiences to examine the What Would You Do? moments we face every day. Sharing some of his favorite clips from the award-winning show, John described the powerful impact of these stories, believing in one’s self, never giving up, and always, always doing the right thing.
Cleary is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. The firm regularly hosts important cultural events and guest speakers whose presentations afford opportunities to broaden awareness, heighten the level of discussion, and establish a culture of inclusion at the firm. To learn more about Cleary’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, click here.