CHRISTOPHER GARCIA
CHRISTOPHER GARCIA’S TRACK RECORD was perfect when he was the chief of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force in the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York—all ten of the
cases he personally supervised resulted in conviction, earn- ing him a masterful reputation. He now uses his skills in the private sector at Weil,
Gotshal & Manges where he is a litigation partner and a member of the securities litigation and white collar defense and investigations practices. “I’m now acutely aware of the power the government
has and I appreciate the great responsibility I have now as a defense attorney and then as a prosecutor,” Garcia says. Garcia’s colleagues at Weil recognize him as a modest person with extreme talent.
BLOSSOM KAN
METLIFE, INC. New York City, NY
BLOSSOM KAN HAS WRITTEN TWO BOOKS, China Doll and Young, Restless and Broke, that explore barriers put in place by gender and ethnic stereotypes—themes that are present in her everyday personal and professional life.
Kan is also an assistant general counsel at MetLife.
She handles complex litigation matters and represents her company on regulatory matters with both federal and state regulatory authorities. Her colleagues know her for being an excellent litiga-
tor and great communicator who regularly gets great results for her clients.
“She adapts her style depending on her situation and
is an effective litigator because of it,” says Sheila Murphy, a Metlife colleague. “Her writing gives her a better ability than most to
perceive what’s happening around her and adds to her skills as a litigator,” Murphy adds. Her best skill is her ability to marshal a team.
“One of the most challenging parts of my work is being an effective conduit for all the different parts of a large company, and I really strive to make sure that all our partners are being brought together to provide their respective views and experiences and effectively collaborate so that we can reach the best resolution,” Kan says. Te author and litigator treats increasing diversity in
the legal world as part of her core mission as a profes- sional. More diversity would increase the kinds of talent found amongst lawyers and have a beneficial impact on the legal profession, according to Kan.
WEIL, GOTSHAL & MANGES New York City, NY
“Everyone is attracted to [his personality],” says
Jonathon Polkes, co-chair of the Securities Litigation Practice Group at Weil. “Chris is a rare combination of intellect and humanity.” Garcia participates in Latinos@Weil, a program at his
firm where he can be a mentor to younger lawyers with diverse ethnic backgrounds. “Being a mentor is more than being available during
a scheduled hour, but instead being there whenever my mentees need me,” Garcia says. Garcia’s Cuban grandfather came to the U.S. from
Venezuela. Te self-taught electrician once worked at the Harvard Club in New York City but wasn’t allowed to use the bathroom there. His grandfather endured discrimina- tion and segregation that paved the way for Garcia to suc- ceed in his career. He recognizes that it’s no coincidence that he’s now a member of the Harvard Club and can use the bathroom there whenever he wants.
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MCCA.COM
MARCH/APRIL 2013 DIVERSITY & THE BAR®
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