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Juan Gonzalez spent the first year of his life in Cuba before he and his family immigrated to south Florida. His family and community inspired him to excel at every opportunity presented to him—including baseball, an early passion. Gonzalez’s Cuban roots helped plant the seed that would eventually blossom into his successful legal career.
“As someone proud of his Cuban heritage and who experienced the law in the US from the perspective of an immigrant and political refugee, I always had an above average curiosity about how legal systems could be so different from one country to the next,” says Gonzalez, counsel at leading global alternative investment manager Ares Management. “I think that curiosity is a big part of why I decided to pursue law in the first place.”
Gonzalez’s interests started to pique as he met various legal professionals growing up. The first was a lawyer who counseled his family through the asylum-seeking process. Later, he was drawn to the knowledge and work corporate attorneys and advisors performed, as his parents sought legal support when they started their own business.
“Representation matters, and seeing it inspired my career. Any opportunity we have to create space for others to see themselves in a certain career or in senior positions is very important,” Gonzalez says. “I’ve seen this career change my life for the better. So, if there’s any way that I can pay it forward, I am committed to doing so.”
Investment Groups by the Numbers
Credit: $308.6 billion
Private Equity: $24.5 billion
Real Assets: $64.1 billion
Secondary Solutions: $25.6 billion
Other Business: $5.5 billion
Note: As of March 31, 2024. AUM amounts include funds managed by Ivy Hill Asset Management, L.P., a wholly owned portfolio company of Ares Capital Corporation and registered investment adviser.
Those early encounters inspired Gonzalez to study government at Dartmouth College, and then attend law school at Stanford University, where he continued to expand his knowledge on what a career in law could look like.
“One thing I loved about Stanford was having the ability to explore different classes across the university and having that autonomy to choose my own path, which was possible thanks to the quarter system academic calendar unique to both Stanford and Dartmouth. Because my start in life and in this country was uncertain, it lit a fire in me to really capitalize on opportunities,” he says.
After graduating with his Juris Doctor in 2017, Gonzalez jumpstarted his career as an associate at Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett LLP, a leading international law firm headquartered in New York City. There, Gonzalez worked with several major financial institutions, asset managers and private equity clients on a wide variety of deals. It was the perfect training ground.
“It was a really great experience that allowed me to learn and practice with the best,” Gonzalez says. “The firm was excellent at uplifting me and allowing me to choose my own path and lead complex matters that were interesting to me.”
In 2022, Gonzalez decided to bring his expertise in-house at Ares Management. The global company offers complementary primary and secondary investment solutions across credit, real estate, private equity, and infrastructure asset classes. Drawn by its explosive growth and the opportunity to work in the alternative assets space, Gonzalez was excited to leverage his private practice experience as counsel at Ares. Today, he helps oversee corporate governance, securities, and investment funds matters, including M&A and other strategic transactions.
“It’s interesting to be on the other side,” Gonzalez says. “You feel more camaraderie and unity since you’re working on these deals with close teams to drive long-term value from start to finish.”
Gonzalez loves that about his role. While he’s been proud to work on several key strategic acquisitions and initiatives—and helped to establish a number of corporate governance enhancements—he’s most proud of the relationships he’s built at Ares.
“I credit a lot of my success to the close relationships with senior management and teams across the firm,” he says. “It’s exciting to be able to put our skills and grit together to achieve a common goal.”
He is also proud to partner with and empower the company’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) champions on a wide range of strategic and philanthropic initiatives.
“Also, I believe it helps any organization to have diverse talent,” he continues. “We have seen firsthand how different viewpoints can improve the way we think about a problem and the way we solve our challenges as an organization.”
His advice to the next generation of Latino leaders? “Don’t be afraid to step up to the plate,” he says. Don’t be afraid to run up against things that are uncomfortable. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. That is where a lot of growth, collaboration, and change happens.”
For those wanting to succeed, Gonzalez has three words: “Go for it.”
Ares Management’s Impressive Growth and Reach
Ares Management, founded in 1997, has grown to become a global powerhouse in the asset management industry. With an impressive $428 billion in assets under management and over 2,900 employees across more than thirty-five offices worldwide, Ares has established a formidable presence in North America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. The firm’s expansive reach is further evidenced by its extensive network of over 2,400 direct institutional relationships, allowing it to leverage a diverse range of investment opportunities and expertise across multiple asset classes.
Kirkland & Ellis LLP is proud to partner with Juan and congratulates him on this well-deserved recognition. His deep expertise, leadership and advice have provided invaluable guidance to Ares on important corporate matters, strategic acquisitions, and the launch of new investment strategies and products across the globe.
