Pride Month Spotlight Series: Thomas Kessler

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

Cleary Gottlieb partner Thomas Kessler shares some of his thoughts below.

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

I am a third-year partner in our bankruptcy and restructuring group in New York. I also serve as the staffing partner for our group, as well as a Co-Chair of our Summer Associate Program.

What does Pride Month mean to you?

Pride is about our community coming together to meet the moment in which we find ourselves. Sometimes, that’s a moment of celebration and reflection on all we’ve accomplished and the incredible sacrifices that so many made along the way. Other times, it’s a time to rally together and make our voices heard when our community is under attack. Whether party, protest, or a little bit of both, Pride gives us all a chance to rally together.

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

One of my favorite things about being LGBTQ is that I feel I have a built-in community wherever I go, geographically or professionally. Our community is far from a monolith, but there are so many shared or similar aspects of our identities, and it’s meaningful to me to know that I am not alone in my experience. I try to carry that forward by being a visible member of our community and ensuring both that members of our community know that they have a family here, and that our non-LGBTQ colleagues have the tools and opportunities to show up for us.

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

I think in some ways, the queer folks that have inspired me the most are the ones we’ve never heard of.  As far as we have to go as a community, we have made incredible strides. That is thanks to lots of people we know—from Marsha P. Johnson to Harvey Milk to Bill Thom to Mary Bonauto—but it’s also due to countless people who had the bravery to be authentically themselves at great personal cost. Visibility is so important, and every sister, uncle, cousin, friend and neighbor who came out helped us be known in our communities.

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

Affinity groups are a great way to build community. We strive to create a warm and welcoming community across all kinds of difference, but there is something particularly affirming about spending time with folks who share your affinity and can relate to your experience on that level. In addition to the social aspect, our affinity groups also work hard to create programming that is relevant to our communities, and to help create connections with others in our industry, including alumni and folks at other firms and companies.

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

I love being a lawyer—every day presents new and interesting puzzles, and it is gratifying to have clients that trust our advice and judgment. I chose to work at Cleary because it felt like a place that I could be my full, authentic self. That has allowed me to focus on my growth and development as a lawyer, and I think we are at our best as lawyers where we embrace our differences and the diverse perspectives they bring.