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Orrick’s Eugene Clark-Herrera Honored by MCCA as a 2023 Rainmaker


2 minute read | June.20.2023

The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) has recognized Orrick partner Eugene Clark-Herrera as a 2023 Rainmaker. The award honors lawyers for “remarkable success through their innovative, consistent, proactive business development strategies and client development skills.”

It’s the fifth time in six years the MCCA has awarded that honor to an Orrick partner.

“These extraordinary attorneys serve as shining examples of what can be accomplished through dedication, creativity and the ability to foster meaningful connections,” the MCCA said of Eugene and nine other 2023 Rainmakers.

Building Schools

Eugene is recognized for the impact of his public finance practice, which is devoted to improving access to capital for schools in disadvantaged communities. In more than 20 years at Orrick, Eugene has:

  • Created capital markets access in California for charter schools, public schools that typically are organized as private nonprofit corporations. Eugene helped structure the largest charter school facilities financing in California, $93 million for construction and improvement of seven school campuses.
  • Pioneered work that grew into the Equitable Facilities Fund, the nation’s leading social impact fund, where he serves as counsel. The nonprofit empowers high-performing public charter schools across the country with equitable access to low-cost, long-term financing. Since 2018, the fund has committed over $1 billion to serve more than 60,000 students, including over 60 percent who are economically disadvantaged.
  • Advised the San Diego Unified School District through voter approval of three separate ballot measures over a 15-year period enabling over $10 billion in school facilities improvements across the district.

Giving Back

Eugene’s belief that high-functioning public schools are vital for a healthy democracy has led him to:

  • Teach middle school science and draft curriculum in the South Bronx and Washington Heights neighborhoods of New York City for five years early in his career, including two years with Teach for America.
  • Found a nonprofit arts-based youth development organization with his wife in East Palo Alto, California, to educate, inspire and empower teens through the arts.
  • Serve in leadership roles for a number of education nonprofits.

Eugene is one of three firmwide DEI leaders at Orrick, focusing on talent. He has championed DEI initiatives for two decades, leading DEI initiatives in San Francisco as well as leading the Black Lawyers of Orrick affinity group.

Making an Impact

The MCCA selected its 2023 Rainmakers “from an exceptional group of prominent attorneys who have a proven record of compiling books of business exceeding $5 million annually and who have contributed significantly to their communities.” Other Orrick partners named as MCCA Rainmakers in the last six years include: