Laura Gillen is a prominent political figure and attorney currently running for the U.S. House of Representatives in New York’s 4th Congressional District. At 55 years old as of 2024, Gillen has built an impressive career spanning law, public service, and politics.
Article Content
Early Life and Education
Born in 1969, Laura Gillen developed a passion for public service and law from an early age. She pursued higher education at Georgetown University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government. During her time at Georgetown, Gillen was honored as a George Baker Scholar, an experience that profoundly impacted her commitment to leadership and community service. Following her undergraduate studies, Gillen went on to obtain her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from New York University School of Law, further honing her legal expertise3.
Legal Career
After graduating from law school in 2000, Gillen embarked on a successful legal career:
- She joined Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP as a litigation associate, working on matters involving securities regulation, defamation, employment, and intellectual property.
- From 2005 to 2017, Gillen served as Of Counsel at Westerman Ball Ederer Miller Zucker & Sharfstein LLP, representing corporate and non-profit clients in discrimination and human rights cases, as well as matters related to proprietary rights and trade secrets.
Political Career
Laura Gillen’s political journey has been marked by significant achievements:
- From 2018 to 2020, she served as the Town Supervisor of Hempstead, New York, making history as the first Democrat to hold the position in over a century.
- During her tenure, Gillen focused on improving local infrastructure, expanding healthcare access, and creating jobs for the community.
- She managed a budget of approximately $500 million and spearheaded initiatives to modernize the town’s physical and IT infrastructure.
- Gillen implemented tight fiscal controls, passed the first multi-year capital spending plan for the town, and secured several grants, including a $10 million NYS Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant.
Congressional Campaign
In 2024, Laura Gillen is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in New York’s 4th Congressional District. This is her second attempt at the seat, having narrowly lost to Republican Anthony D’Esposito in 2022 by only 10,000 votes. Gillen’s campaign focuses on several key issues:
- Economic security and affordable healthcare
- Gun safety and public safety
- Reproductive rights
- Immigration reform
- Addressing the rising cost of living
As a moderate Democrat, Gillen has positioned herself as someone who can work across party lines to achieve common-sense solutions.
Personal Life
Outside of her professional pursuits, Laura Gillen is married to Chris Gillen and has four children. Her diverse experiences include working as a divemaster in Thailand and volunteering with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta. Laura Gillen’s multifaceted career and commitment to public service have made her a formidable candidate in one of the most competitive congressional races in the 2024 election cycle.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.