Drake Goodson ’24

Nurturing a Passion for Environmental Justice

When Drake Goodson started considering law schools, he knew one thing for sure: He’d have to leave Alaska, since his home state has none accredited by the American Bar Association. Growing up amid the state’s breathtaking natural beauty while watching its natural resources face frequent peril fostered a strong commitment to environmental justice, which was also at the top of his priority list.

Berkeley Law hit his radar screen almost instantly as a place with strong environmental law chops, a vigorous pro bono culture — and a location much closer to his family than East Coast schools.

“I felt like my goals would be supported here. I was also really excited about the Bay Area’s diversity, and the Filipino community here in particular,” Goodson says. “Having access to that support seemed necessary for me.”

STEPPING UP: Named one of eight U.S. law students of the year by National Jurist, Drake Goodson has taken on many leadership roles. Photo by Brittany Hosea-Small

Drake Goodson ’24

Nurturing a Passion for Environmental Justice

When Drake Goodson started considering law schools, he knew one thing for sure: He’d have to leave Alaska, since his home state has none accredited by the American Bar Association. Growing up amid the state’s breathtaking natural beauty while watching its natural resources face frequent peril fostered a strong commitment to environmental justice, which was also at the top of his priority list.

Berkeley Law hit his radar screen almost instantly as a place with strong environmental law chops, a vigorous pro bono culture — and a location much closer to his family than East Coast schools.

“I felt like my goals would be supported here. I was also really excited about the Bay Area’s diversity, and the Filipino community here in particular,” Goodson says. “Having access to that support seemed necessary for me.”

STEPPING UP: Named one of eight U.S. law students of the year by National Jurist, Drake Goodson has taken on many leadership roles. Photo by Brittany Hosea-Small

His initial instincts about what he wanted out of the experience have bloomed into an array of rewarding activities, in and out of the classroom. As a 1L, he joined the newly formed Free the Land Project, one of 40 Student-Initiated Legal Services Projects that are part of the school’s Pro Bono Program.

Free the Land supports grassroots organizers — particularly those helping people of color in the East Bay — in promoting their varied land, housing, and environmental justice goals, from rescuing properties from the ever-escalating local housing market to assisting efforts to curb harmful emissions and land use practices in West Oakland.

Leading the group as a 2L was “extremely rewarding,” Goodson says. “I’ve enjoyed exploring legal opportunities to create intergenerational housing, forging enduring relationships with our client organization and attorneys, and supporting my friends who will lead the group next.”

He took his pro bono efforts to another level over spring break, organizing and co-leading a group of students to Alaska as part of the Berkeley Law Alternative Service Trips (BLAST) program (BLASTing Off to Help).

“I felt like my goals would be supported here. I was also really excited about the Bay Area’s diversity, and the Filipino community here in particular.”

Goodson’s prolific work is drawing attention beyond the law school’s radius, too: National Jurist named him one of eight “law students of the year” this spring. Goodson spent the summer between his first and second years working at the Environmental Defense Fund, and interned in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of the General Counsel last summer.

As he enters his final year at Berkeley Law, Goodson says he hopes to either clerk after graduation or get a government job focusing on the environment, energy, and land use. He’s also open to practicing in the labor and employment, housing, and civil rights law sectors down the road.

“I hope to use my career building familiarity with litigation and rulemaking so that I can eventually serve environmental justice communities,” he says. “I feel like law school has on the one hand affirmed my interests and also helped me understand that careers are long and there are many places your career can go.” — Gwyneth K. Shaw

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