Eric Casher graduated from UC Law San Francisco in 2006. He is founder founder/partner at Redwood Public Law.

Eric’s passion for law was ignited as an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, where studying the Civil Rights Movement introduced him to the legal legacies of Thurgood Marshall and Charles Hamilton Houston. Inspired by their impact, he chose law to serve his community and UC Law SF for its history of producing trailblazers.

Today, Eric is the founder of Redwood Public Law, a majority minority-owned firm representing cities, special districts, and nonprofits across California. He credits UC Law SF for exposing him to inspiring leaders, including Former Vice President Kamala Harris ’89, a friend and mentor, and teaching him to think big and pursue ambitious goals.

Eric continues to give back by mentoring students, particularly through the LEOP program that shaped his law school journey. He does so to pay it forward and continue the tradition of lifting as we climb to help inspire the next generation of legal change-makers.

His conversation with the UC Law San Francisco Alumni Association follows.

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in law, and what drew you to UC Law SF specifically?

A: As an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley, I minored in African American Studies because I was eager to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement and the often untold history of our country.  Through those courses I learned about Thurgood Marshall, Charles Hamilton Houston and the legal architects of the Civil Rights Movement.  I was so deeply inspired by their stories, their impact, and example.

I wanted to find a way to make an impact on my community, and our country, the way Thurgood Marshall and Charles Hamilton Houston did.  I knew I could do that through law.  As I started exploring law schools, it became clear to me that UC Law SF was the perfect fit.  A public institution with a history of graduating real change makers and leaders in the profession here in the Bay Area.  Whether through the judiciary, public or private sector, UC Law SF alums were making an difference in society and I aspired to be like them.

Q: What has been one of your proudest professional accomplishments, and how did your time at UC Law SF contribute to it?

A: In March of 2024, I started my own law firm, Redwood Public Law.  Redwood is a majority minority owned law firm committed to public service and creating a meaningful impact for the clients and communities we serve.  Our 27 attorneys collectively serve as the City Attorney to 16 cities in the State of California and General Counsel to 30+ Special Districts and Non-Profits.

Launching Redwood has been so extremely fulfilling and something I am so very proud of.  UC Law SF exposed me to some of the best and brightest in the profession, whether it be Former Vice President Kamala Harris ’89 who is a friend and mentor, or many law firm partners I’ve gotten to know who helped me learn the business side of the profession.

But UC Law SF also taught me how to think big, be fearless, and believe that anything is possible.  I knew I could start my own firm, or accomplish great things, because I saw that firsthand with my own peers and the alums I mentioned.

When you are surrounded by excellence, and people who dream big, you begin to have a different perspective on what’s possible.  UC Law SF helped me see what was possible in the profession.

Q: Is there a particular alumni event, program, or tradition that you’ve found especially meaningful?

A: I will never forget my introduction to law school which was my Legal Education Opportunity Program (LEOP) orientation the week before the first day of class my 1L year at UC Law SF.  I remember the alums who came to speak to us, provide words of encouragement and cautionary tales.

But more than anything, the LEOP orientation was a window into the community that exists at UC Law SF.  A community that is not just your peers and fellow students, but the alumni, professors, staff and many others who are all committed to our success as students and professionals.

For those reasons, and because of the impact the program had on me, I regularly return to speak at the LEOP orientation and find time to meet and mentor UC Law SF students.  Both to pay it forward, and to continue the tradition of lifting as we climb to help inspire the next generation of legal changemakers.