The Latinx Law Student Association (LLSA) will host Secretary Tom Perez at The Law School for a conversation on his career in public service.

Secretary Perez had the honor of serving in President Obama’s administration for eight years. From 2009 to 2013 he served as the head of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, where he led the charge against police misconduct, voter suppression, anti-LGBTQ discrimination, and discrimination against immigrants. He was subsequently appointed as the United States Secretary of Labor and served in this role from 2013 to 2017. As Secretary of Labor, he fought to expand opportunities for American workers—including better wages and overtime pay, retirement security, and collective bargaining rights.

Secretary Perez went on to serve as the Chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2017 to 2021, leading efforts to get Democrats elected across the country including the election of President Biden.  This past June, Mr. Perez launched his campaign for governor of Maryland.

Secretary Perez is a graduate of Brown University, Harvard Law School, and the John F. Kennedy School of Government. After graduating law school he clerked for Judge Zita Weinshienk in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. Mr. Perez is the son of immigrants from the Dominican Republic and grew up in Buffalo, New York.

Boxed lunches will be available for registered participants at the conclusion of the event.

This convening is open to all invitees who are compliant with UChicago vaccination requirements and, because of ongoing health risks, particularly to the unvaccinated, participants are expected to adopt the risk mitigation measures (masking and social distancing, etc.) appropriate to their vaccination status as advised by public health officials or to their individual vulnerabilities as advised by a medical professional. Public convening may not be safe for all and carries a risk for contracting COVID-19, particularly for those unvaccinated. Participants will not know the vaccination status of others and should follow appropriate risk mitigation measures.