Luis Pereda (LL.M. '13 | Mexico)
More than a decade after completing his LL.M. degree at UC Davis School of Law, Luis Pereda (LL.M. ’13) has built an impressive resume having served as a university dean, held posts in both the Executive and Judicial branches of the Mexican government, been elected to the Supreme Court of Mexico's Evaluation Committee of the Federal Judicial Branch, and built a parallel life as a law professor, bar association treasurer, and host of Mexico's first legal news program. We asked Luis to reflect on the journey, and his answers speak for themselves.
Could you share what post-graduation was like for you?
After completing my master's degree and returning to Mexico, I dedicated myself to seeking employment that would leverage the broadened horizons and new perspective provided by my LLM program at UC Davis.
In 2016, I entered public service in the Executive branch, and subsequently the Judicial branch, where I undertook tasks related to legal training and education. In both positions, possessing a master's degree from UC Davis proved highly beneficial, not only in terms of curriculum vitae, but also intellectually.
Currently, my professional activities are divided into four tasks: 1. being a professor of constitutional law at the ITAM, 2. coordinating various academic programs, including an LLM., at Inteli-Iuris, a legal education platform, 3. serving as the Treasurer of the Mexican Bar Association (BMA), and 4. hosting Mexico's first legal news program, with nearly five years of uninterrupted broadcasts (@BMAPlus).
These combined activities led to my election in 2024 by the Supreme Court of Mexico as a member of the Evaluation Committee of the Federal Judicial Branch.
What was your Davis program experience like, and how has it related to you work post-graduation?
My academic experience at Davis was extraordinary. I met several professors who inspired and enlightened me in various ways, particularly in the areas of human rights protection, constitutional law, and administrative law.
Additionally, the atmosphere of camaraderie and support among other international students allowed me to forge bonds that remain strong today. I have hosted visits from some former classmates in my country, visited others in their home countries, and had the fortune of meeting them at intermediate locations to converse as if years and distance did not matter.
Why did you choose to pursue an LLM degree? How did you hear about UC Davis and why did you choose to come to UC Davis?
[I was] seeking a program at a reputable university in a tranquil community that would allow me to pursue my studies while my wife and children could experience a new culture. I did not need just any master's program; I needed one with characteristics such as a healthy, diverse, safe, and friendly ecosystem. After consulting various rankings and conducting respective research, it became evident that UC Davis was extraordinarily suited to my needs.
What were your first thoughts and experiences like when you arrived at UC Davis?
Everyone there seemed exceptionally intelligent and ambitious, and I was uncertain if I was up to the challenge. Fortunately, the kindness and generosity of the community in general, but particularly of my international peers, greatly facilitated the new challenges and allowed me to overcome obstacles with relative ease. Once my family and I began to take part in the united, safe, and socially responsible community, I was certain that I had made a great decision for myself and my family. In the evenings, upon returning home after a long day of studying and academic activities, I could hug them and play with them. I could listen to how their day went, their experiences, and their learnings. That part was extraordinarily comforting.
What was your favorite moment in the program?
I loved attending classes. Waking up early in the morning, being able to arrive by riding my bicycle, walking to the classroom, having first-class facilities, and in my free time, strolling through a magnificent campus alongside with nature. It was something I deeply cherished.
Looking back, what do you wish you knew then that you know now?
Today, it may sound foolish, but I wish I had known that everything would turn out well. It truly was a great adventure. [My family] played in the snow as well as in the sand, and marvelled at the imposing sequoias. Our favourite trip was to Yosemite, but we also attended monster truck shows, basketball games, fairs, circuses, forests, lakes, and visited fascinating cities.
It was worth it. The knowledge acquired, the classroom discussions, the professors' teachings, the authors, the books, the lecturers, the extracurricular cultural and recreational activities, the cultural immersion, being exposed to a plurality of ideas, topics, and proposals—all added up.
What advice do you have for current students?
Enjoy it. Live it to the fullest. Make the most of being a student at a great university in a great small community.
As long as it remains possible for students from different parts of the world, with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and languages, to sit around a table to eat a sandwich and discuss various approaches to the law and the solutions it can offer, we can have hope for the future. UC Davis is a great place for those conversations.