Cyerra McGowan is a corporate associate at Latham & Watkins LLP, where she counsels public companies on various securities transactions, as well as corporate governance matters and compliance with securities regulations. Cyerra’s pro bono practice includes asylum cases, U-Visa cases, and corporate governance work for local non-profit organizations. Cyerra currently serves as the Chair of the Young Lawyers Committee of the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, a member of the Young Alumni Leadership Council of Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, and a member of the Next Generation Leadership Council of the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights.

Cyerra is originally from the South Suburbs of Chicago and earned her Bachelor of Science from Cornell University, where she served as president of an organization supporting Black women on campus and co-founded a mentorship program designed to foster connections among the women of color on campus. Cyerra earned her J.D. from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, where she served as president of the Black Law Student Association. Cyerra also led an organization that advocated for cultural and structural changes to attract, retain, and support Black faculty, as well as broader recognition and support for Black students who take on the extra work of advocating for diversity at the law school.

In addition to being an attorney, Cyerra loves traveling, food, visiting family, and spending time with her pets, Zephyr and Harley.