Brains of Berkeley Law: Kendrick Peterson JD/MPP ’24

By Cheska Torres Ibasan

Clicking this photo will redirect you to an Instagram post of Kendrick's feature.
Kendrick sitting at Doe Library with his legs crossed on the arm rest and book resting on his lap as he smiles to his right side. Text overlaid says: "Brains of Berkeley Law: Voices of Students, Staff, and Faculty that Make Berkeley Law"“Though I had an overall stellar experience and an unmatched degree of professional development, my ability to achieve in many spaces was impeded by the lack of concern for my identity by many institutions,” shares Juris Doctor and Master’s in Public Policy Candidate Kendrick Peterson. Growing up in predominantly white spaces, Kendrick was made aware of his identities as a queer and Black scholar at a very young age. In his 2018 TEDx talk — Kendrick, who was working as an Undergraduate Admissions Coordinator at the University of Notre Dame at the time — tackled how institutionalism propels the importance of celebrating diversity in all forms.

Clicking this photo will redirect you to an Instagram post of Kendrick's feature.
Kendrick sitting in Doe Library with a book on his lap as he smiles to his right side. Text overlaid says: "KENDRICK
PETERSON
"If we are to improve the general outcomes of the policy field, we must work to erase this notion of pedigree. For as it stands, the legal profession remains as one of the most widely utilized paths to impactful leadership, and it would be detrimental to the most marginalized to restrict it."
— on Changing Meritocratic Evaluation in the Legal Profession
Berkeley Law
Committed to decolonizing the legal system, Kendrick’s pro bono endeavors are highlighted through his involvement with the Policy Advocacy Clinic, East Bay Community Law Center, and BLAST: Domestic Violence Prevention. He is also an alumnus of Harvard PPLC and Carnegie Mellon PPIA fellowship programs.

“After watching Legally Blonde, I thought that I could be like Elle Woods. A thriving, wealthy socialite with monochrome outfits, acing the LSAT and getting into a prestigious law school. It became quite apparent early on that I could never be like Elle Woods. I did not have the background, knowledge, or testing materials, and statistically I was told that I was lucky to make it out of high school,” Kendrick recalls.

Clicking this photo will redirect you to an Instagram post of Kendrick's feature.
Kendrick smiling and reaching for the camera. Text overlaid says: "STAR SCHOLAR
• National Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholar
• Questbridge Scholar
• U.S Army Reserves Medal for Athletic and Academic Excellence
• Benjamin A. Gilman Scholar
• George Brinkley Prize for Service
• Point Foundation Opportunity Scholar
• Hesburgh Program Award for Leadership and Public Service
• Center on Civility 8 Democratic Engagement Masters Thesis Fellowship
Berkeley Law“During my time at the University of Notre Dame, I was often asked what sports team I played on to be admitted, served as the only Black student in my lectures and in one instance had a Physics professor threaten to call campus security because I seemed threatening. However, the close friendships and community I developed then, inspire me to lean unabashadley into my authenticity today.”

Kendrick serves as the Berkeley Law Student Body Co-President, the Associate Editor of California Law Review, a BLAST Trip Leader, member of Berkeley Law Queer Caucus, Law Students of African Descent, the Mock Trial Team, and is a mentee for the Appellate Project. Clicking this photo will redirect you to an Instagram post of Kendrick's feature.
Kendrick smiling and sitting at the Doe Library with his legs on the arm rest and a book on his hands. Text overlaid says: "DARE TO DIFFERENTIATE
"When you choose to differentiate, and choose to be yourself, you can find that happiness. And though you may face consequences for doing so, the benefits for yourself and others around you are numerous." A logo of Tedx is placed on the bottom of the text.

In his commercial practice, he hopes to focus on opportunities affiliated with private sector litigation, white collar investigations, higher education regulatory practice, and impact federal advocacy on behalf of marginalized groups.

“We cannot continue to operate as if victories on behalf of vulnerable communities are set in stone.”

Among the numerous things we learned from Kendrick’s years of excellence, one always stands evident: Community advocacy operates through the light of love. Without love, there can be no justice. And without justice, there is no love.Clicking this photo will redirect you to an Instagram post of Kendrick's feature.
Photo in the middle is of Kendrick standing fiercely at the Doe Library with his left hand on his pocket. On the left is a solid black background with texts that say: "Kendrick's pro bono endeavors are highlighted through his involvement with the Policy Advocacy Clinic, East Bay Community Law Center, and BLAST: Domestic Violence Prevention. He is also an alumnus of Harvard PPLC and Carnegie Mellon PPIA fellowship programs."

Bottom right photo is of Kendrick's hands showing his class ring from the University of Notre Dame and his colorful shirt featuring queer Black characters. 

On the top right corner is a text over black solid background that says: "Kendrick serves as the Berkeley Law Student Body Co-President, the Associate Editor of California Law Review, a BLAST Trip Leader, member of Berkeley Law Queer Caucus, Law Students of African Descent, the Mock Trial Team, and is a mentee for the Appellate Project in hopes of doing federal impact litigation."