Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight Series: Marcela Robledo

As part of our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, we’ve asked our colleagues to reflect on the significance of this month.

Cleary Gottlieb partner Marcela Robledo shares some of her thoughts below.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Cleary.

I am a tech transactions partner in Cleary’s San Francisco office. My practice involves dealing with transactional issues related to all things intellectual property, artificial intelligence, data privacy, and cybersecurity.

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

Hispanic Heritage Month is deeply personal to me. I was born and raised in Colombia, and I came to the United States to pursue my master’s degree—a decision that shaped the rest of my career. This month is a reminder of where I come from and how far that journey has taken me. As a partner at this firm, I feel a responsibility to be a role model for other Latinas in the legal profession, showing them that our heritage is not something to set aside to succeed, but part of what drives that success. I’m proud to celebrate this month and to help open doors for the women coming up behind me.

Has your identity impacted how you approach your work and career?

Absolutely. I realized early on that I needed to navigate unfamiliar systems with confidence and to see being different as an asset rather than a barrier. That experience shaped how I practice law—I bring a perspective shaped by two cultures, which helps me connect with clients and colleagues from diverse backgrounds and approach problems with flexibility. It has also made me intentional about mentorship: because I didn’t always see Latinas in leadership roles when I was starting out, I’ve made it a priority to be visible and accessible to those coming up behind me, so they know a seat at the partner table is possible. Finally, growing up in a country inundated by guerilla and war made me resilient and adaptable, and I try not to worry too much about things, which makes it easier when you are dealing with numerous problems at the same time.

The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of their employer/firm. This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal advice.