LGBTQ+ Pride Month Spotlight Series: Jordan McMeans

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

Cleary Gottlieb associate Jordan McMeans shares some of his thoughts below.

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

I am a second-year associate in the litigation group with a particular interest in international disputes, and my pro bono practice focuses on criminal justice, including criminal appeals and civil rights litigation. I’m originally from Southington, Connecticut. I have two cats that control my life, and outside of work, I enjoy running, reading, and — most importantly — reality TV.

What does Pride Month mean to you? Why is it important?

LGBTQ+ Pride Month is an opportunity to reflect on the many contributions the queer community has made to our society across every profession, including the legal industry. It’s also a time to celebrate the progress we’ve achieved while acknowledging how much work remains. The community continues to be the subject of debate, and worse, attack, which makes it even more critical for members of the community to see representation and allyship in spaces like ours.

Has your identity impacted how you approach your work and career? If so, how?

I think everyone’s identity in one way or another shapes how they operate in the workplace and approach their career. Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community has helped shape my worldview and what’s important to me. It’s also made me adaptable and able to communicate across all sorts of difference, including communicating with clients facing discrimination, oppression, or other forms of injustice. That perspective is something I try to bring to everything I work on.

Are there any LGBTQ+ leaders, activists, writers/artists, professionals, or family members who have inspired you?

I am deeply inspired by Chase Strangio, who made history as the first openly transgender attorney to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court. He argued in support of access to gender-affirming care in United States v. Skrmetti, and his leadership is commendable, particularly his dedication to protecting the rights of our community amid an insurgence of anti-trans legislation. I am grateful for and inspired by his work developing the legal strategies to counter these legislative attacks.

What are the benefits of joining an affinity group at Cleary?

The Cleary affinity groups provide a great opportunity to collaborate and build connections with people who share a common experience, even across very different personal backgrounds. It’s been a place to find mentors, ask for advice, and feel a sense of community within the firm. I’d encourage anyone to get involved.

What is your favorite thing about working in the legal industry, and why did you choose to work at Cleary?

I chose Cleary because of the caliber of the work and the people. Working in the legal industry, and as a litigator, provides an opportunity for constant learning — whether it’s about a new field, a new client, a new personality, or just strategizing with a team about how to formulate the best possible arguments. It’s a constant intellectual challenge, and I genuinely enjoy that. Further, as lawyers, we have the access, ability, and responsibility to do our best to vindicate the rights of our clients. That’s a great privilege.

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.