September 2023: Otto Nuñez-Montelongo is an associate in our Washington, DC office. He's been telling us about how his identity and experience has positively impacted his career as a lawyer, and how he's planning to celebrate National Hispanic/Latinx Month.

Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month is a distinguished window of time to reflect...

...On what it means to be Hispanic/Latinx in the US, how our community has changed over time, and the community's shared experiences. The month also starts immediately before Mexican Independence Day (September 16), which has been a time of celebration for my family and the Mexican community in Chicago, where I was born and raised.

Being a person of Hispanic/Latinx identity has positively impacted my work and career...

...By providing me with core values and attributes that are part and parcel with being Hispanic/Latinx—such as having a strong work ethic, putting family first, leading by example, humility, being bilingual (English and Spanish) and having an international perspective, to name just a few.

It's no secret that growing up as a minority and first-generation American in the US comes with socioeconomic disadvantages...

 ...And I am no stranger to these struggles. My parents emigrated from Mexico to the South Side of Chicago, with less than a high-school education and I grew up in a low-income household. Despite these circumstances, my parents instilled in me a strong work ethic and provided my siblings and I with a loving environment, surrounded by family.
 
I used these advantages to pursue my education and a successful career in law and, as a result, I was able to complete my honorable service with the Army Reserve and attend well-known institutions for higher education, such as DePaul in Chicago, ICADE in Madrid and Georgetown here in DC.

The top-three things that allies can do to support our community are...

... (1) to learn and understand what being Hispanic/Latinx means to individuals in the community, because there is a wide spectrum of people and backgrounds that identify with our community, and each person contributes and takes away something different—our diversity is a strength; (2) to get involved with or directly support our community—whether it's trying our delicious foods, dancing cumbia, salsa, bachata, etc. with friends on the weekend, taking classes to learn one of our languages, taking an interest in some of our art or assisting with providing aid to immigrants in need; and (3) by sharing what you learn with others that are not part of our community.

Hispanic/Latinx people love to have a good time and meet new people, and there is something in our community for everyone.

Three ways that White & Case supports Hispanic/Latinx people...

...Through the affinity network Alianza, for colleagues that identify as part of our community; by maintaining an international and tolerant workplace culture for us to feel comfortable and thrive in; and with communications like this article that can serve as catalysts for individual conversations and spotlight our community.

Being a part of Alianza has provided a real sense of community within White & Case...

...It provides networking and mentorship resources, and a safe space where I can 'be myself' without second thought as to how it may be received by others or having to explain my identity. Alianza has also provided me with opportunities to get involved with the Firm outside of client work.

My advice for the next generation who share my heritage is...

...To be yourself and to reflect on your past experiences to extract the true value that comes with being Hispanic/Latinx in the US. Not only will you find that you have what you need to succeed, but you won't have to try to be something that you're not in the process. And, above all, always remember to pay it forward.

How I'm planning to celebrate...

...I plan on celebrating el Grito de Independencia (Cry of Independence), which occurs on the eve of Mexican Independence Day and is a traditional re-enactment of the Roman Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla ringing his church bell and giving the call to arms that triggered the Mexican War of Independence. I also take this time to get to know more about the history of Hispanic/Latinx people in the US and how other non-Mexican Hispanic/Latinx people celebrate this time. And of course, I will be trying new foods and feasting on old favorites!