October 2024: Adam Acosta is a partner in the global Antitrust and Competition Practice based in Washington, DC. He shares his career story and his personal nomination for someone who embodies the 2024 Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month theme: "Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together."

Having a formal celebration of our heritage is important
My Puerto Rican heritage is a constant, positive, important part of my identity. Having a milestone celebration, like Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, is a chance to mark the moment with my colleagues and others in the community. It's a time to reflect and to inspire.

This month reminds us of how we got here, where we want to go
It's important for me to support our Alianza Hispanic affinity network. It's an important pipeline for both business and professional development. For example, we recently had the general counsel of a major television network speak at White & Case about her career and perspectives as a Latina lawyer. Hearing about her journey was both enriching and inspiring.

Allies are essential for all minorities
Whether it's Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, or some other milestone celebration, engaging with other Firm affinity networks throughout the year is important. I appreciate the differences and also the similarities between different groups. And I always end up reflecting upon how all of us really aren't that different at the end of the day and can support one another.

Judge Urbina represents "Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together" for me
Judge Ricardo Urbina was a true pioneer. The late judge, who passed earlier this year, served for over 30 years on the bench and was the first Latino (Puerto Rican and Honduran heritage) judge appointed to the Superior Court here in DC and also to the federal bench in DC. He's been a big supporter of the Hispanic Bar Association in DC, where I served as the president in 2021. He was a fantastic mentor and a really engaging supporter, both personally and for the association.

I take inspiration from Judge Urbina's ability to be both accomplished and accessible
Seeing somebody that was both successful and fully engaged and available to younger lawyers was very motivating. As you grow and develop in your career, you need a broad support network. Other than a clerkship, I've been at White & Case my whole career, so having connections and support from outside the Firm was an important part of developing as a junior associate and ultimately becoming a partner. At the same time, it's just as important to mentor and support the next generation of lawyers through organizations like the Firm's Alianza Network and the Hispanic Bar Association. Judge Urbina was a great role model that embodied that philosophy.