2024 DNC Moments: Reflections from Chicago
Matt Crowley shares his highlights and memorable moments from his first Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
By Pacific Council
This summer, Pacific Council sustaining member Matt Crowley attended the Democratic National Convention in Chicago as a member of the national finance committee. It was a memorable first-time experience, and he shared his reflections on the dynamic atmosphere, impactful moments, and connections made throughout the event. Read on for his insights and highlights from the convention:
“I attended the Chicago convention as a member of the national finance committee. It was my first convention, so I brought my wife and son with me. The atmosphere all four days was pretty electric. I had an opportunity to mingle with great folks, including a number of former U.S. ambassadors – off and on, it felt like a Pacific Council get-together.
While the political speeches were entertaining, the most moving parts of the convention revolved around average citizens caught in terrible circumstances. The parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin moved people around me to tears, as did the survivors of gun violence.
There were a number of interesting events occurring on the sidelines as well. I attended a panel held by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition featuring Susan Rice and Senator Chris Coons. I also caught up with the incoming Icelandic ambassador to the U.S. It was fascinating to speak with a foreign ambassador about her impressions of our electoral system. I hope to recruit her to come speak to the Pacific Council after she gets settled in.”
Matt Crowley, Pacific Council Sustaining Member
Matt Crowley is an international corporate transactional lawyer and sustaining member of the Pacific Council. Crowley regularly represents tech startups, and enjoys working with first-time entrepreneurs. On the other side of his practice, Crowley has assisted in over $7 billion in mergers and acquisitions. His deals have been spread across a variety of industries, many with cross-border components (Japan, Mexico, France, UK, Israel, PRC). Crowley is the former President of the Los Angeles Venture Association (LAVA) and an adjunct professor at Loyola Law School, teaching venture law. He is the author of Getting in the Game: Guiding Your Startup Through the World of Venture Capital and Angel Investors and Winning the Game: How to Successfully Sell Your Business. Crowley recently joined the national finance committee for the Democratic National Party as a deputy national chairman.
When not practicing law, Crowley focuses on food insecurity issues and women’s homelessness issues with organizations like LA’s Downtown Women’s Center and the West Valley Food Pantry.
