Keisha Hudson, Chief Defender at the Defender Association of Philadelphia
Keisha Hudson, a public defender with 22 years of experience and Chief Defender at the Defender Association of Philadelphia, will address 2025 graduates of the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law at commencement on Thursday, May 22, at the Academy of Music (240 S. Broad Street).
At 11 a.m., the law school will celebrate the class of 2025, which includes 188 graduates. The ceremony will celebrate 127 graduates who will receive a JD, 34 who will receive a Master of Legal Studies, 15 who will receive a Master of Laws and 12 who will receive a Bachelor of Arts in Law.
Hudson is a seasoned trial and appellate defender, with an in-depth understanding of what it means to be a public defender. She has represented people on death row in their state post-conviction and federal habeas appeals as a capital appellate defender with the Federal Defender-Eastern District of Pennsylvania and was the director of training for the Capital Habeas Unit.
Hudson addressed systemic issues regarding policing, pretrial detention, sentencing and probation in Montgomery County in her role at the Montgomery County Office of the Public Defender, where her goal was to build and strengthen advocacy in the courtroom. She has also worked on developing and leading advocacy and media campaigns on criminal justice issues – specifically looking at creative and successful community alternatives that truly create public safety – during her time with The Justice Collaborative and The Appeal.
“Keisha Hudson has shown both passion and resolve in her zealous advocacy as a public defender. She is a stalwart advocate for clients even when her work or clients are unpopular,” said Daniel M. Filler, JD, dean and professor of law. “We’re excited that she will be joining us because her career and commitment are a model for our new graduates.”
During the ceremony, students will also hear remarks from Filler.