Enrique Monagas, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher associate
Image: courtesy photo
Enrique Monagas, 35, associate
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
Monagas is making history in marriage equality with his efforts to overturn Proposition 8. As a member of the trial team representing plaintiffs in Perry v. Brown, he scored a landmark victory when a district court struck down the California law banning same-sex marriage as unconstitutional. He played a vital role in the management and strategic planning of the case, and by drafting the briefs that influenced a win before the Ninth Circuit. While the issue of marriage equality takes the national stage, Monagas finds time to focus on a smaller theater. In addition to his responsibilities at Gibson Dunn, where he's a member of the firm's diversity committee, he sits on the board of San Francisco's New Conservatory Theatre Center, a community LGBT theater program.
Word that best describes you?
Grateful.
Most interesting place you've traveled?
I always love traveling to Puerto Rico to see where I was born and where my parents were raised.
Most unusual hobby?
Singing Broadway show tunes.
Favorite quote?
"I believe that today the principle of equal human dignity must apply to gay and lesbian persons. In that sense, insofar as we are a nation founded on this principle, we would be more American on the day we permitted same-sex marriage than we were on the day before." — David Blankenhorn, expert witness proffered by the proponents of Proposition 8 at trial.
Best advice you ever got?
Accept your offer at Gibson Dunn.
Trial or deal you wish you could have worked on?
California's In re Marriage Cases, which brought marriage equality to our state. It is because of the historic decision these bold attorneys were able to obtain that my husband and I were able to marry in October 2008, just before Proposition 8 was enacted.
