Katherine Blake

Katherine Blake graduated with honors from Santa Clara University School of Law where she served in many roles such as the President of Women and Law, Co-President of the International Law Students Association, the Co-Chair for the SCU Law Benefit for Social Justice, and a student leader representative for the Equity, Justice, and Engagement Committee. Katherine received the Pro Bono Gold Award as well as certificates in Public Interest and Social Justice, Public International Law, and High Tech Law. During her time at SCU Law, Katherine completed international law programs in both The Hague, the Netherlands and Geneva, Switzerland. In 2019, Katherine was selected to be a student ambassador for the American Branch of the International Law Association. Katherine also worked as a clinical law student with the Northern California Innocence Project where she helped secure the release of 3 clients who were collectively wrongfully incarcerated for 69 years. Katherine also worked as a research assistant and research graduate fellow for several Santa Clara Law professors and served as a junior associate for the Journal of International Law.

Katherine is passionate about serving and supporting her community. During law school, Katherine worked as an Academic Success Fellow where she mentored 10 first-year students, holding weekly meetings to help new students develop the academic and analytical skills needed to succeed in law school. During law school, Katherine also served as a Spirituality Facilitator for undergraduate students at SCU where she hosted events for freshmen and sophomore students that focused on community building, bringing awareness to social justice issues, and fostering understanding of different religions and spirituality practices amongst SCU students. Katherine also served as a board member for the SCU Law Wellness Task Force that provided mental health resources to law students. She also served on the board for SCU Law Eats, a law school organization dedicated to providing food for law students who were experiencing food insecurity. She regularly volunteered at the Second Harvest Food Bank on a weekly basis and organized a volunteer event for 30 SCU Law students at Second Harvest during her first year of law school. Prior to law school, Katherine served as the site lead for the Yolo County Food Bank’s Friday morning food distribution. She continues to volunteer with the Long Beach Community Table on a weekly basis.

Katherine also served as a volunteer in the Peace Corps in Caacupe, Paraguay before attending law school. During her time in the Peace Corps, Katherine organized the first annual Cordillera State Career Fair for high school students, hosted leadership camps for high school students throughout the country, taught entrepreneurial classes to adult women as well as an array of classes for grade school students. Katherine also collaborated with other volunteers to host environmental and health workshops throughout the state of Cordillera.

What motivated/inspired you to become an attorney?

My father first inspired me to become an attorney. I grew up in a small town where my father was raised, so he knew just about everyone in town. He worked incredibly hard to represent all of his friends and community members in any way that he could. I spent many summers and weekends helping photocopy and organizing files, and I watched as client after client came into my dad’s office where he patiently listened to his clients’ concerns and worked long hours to be their fiercest advocate. During my undergraduate schooling, I had two amazing professors who were also attorneys, Linda and Craig Barkacs, who both encouraged me to go into law and helped lay the foundation for my legal education. Linda Barkacs was not only my legal mentor, but she also was the person who suggested that I serve in the Peace Corps before going to law school. And it was during my time in the Peace Corps that I really developed a sense of wanting to serve as an advocate to defend the rights of vulnerable communities. I During my time at the Northern California Innocence Project (NCIP) and the Santa Clara County Office of the Public Defender, I had two amazing mentors, Paige Kaneb and Daniel Portman, who taught me how to compassionately listen to and passionately advocate for clients. My clients and dear friends from NCIP, Bob Fenenbock and Arturo Jimenez, who were collectively wrongfully incarcerated for 54 years, continue to inspire me everyday to pursue justice.

What do you enjoy most about the work you do?

My favorite part of working for Brayton Purcell is connecting with our clients and their family members. Our amazing clients have worked incredibly hard in physically demanding jobs to provide for their families. It is an honor to work hard for people who have worked so hard their whole lives.

What are your hobbies and interests? What do you like to do when you're not working?

In my personal time, I enjoy spending time with my loved ones and family dogs, roller skating, yoga on the bluff, glass blowing, knitting, hiking, cooking, trying new restaurants, listening to Tiny Desk Concerts, and traveling.