KU Law graduate to start legal career in NYC

Keegan Fredrick brought a deep commitment to public interest advocacy and community-centered lawyering to her time at the University of Kansas School of Law. Originally from Fredericksburg, Virginia, Fredrick earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Mary Washington, where she studied political science alongside security and conflict studies, an academic foundation that shaped her interest in justice, equity and change.

Fredrick chose KU Law for both its strong academic offerings and its financial accessibility, allowing her to pursue a legal education without the burden of student debt. During her time in Lawrence, she immersed herself in a wide range of student organizations and leadership roles. She contributed to the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, Women in Law, the Public Interest Law Society, the Student Ambassador Program and was an active member of the International Law Society, where she served as communications director, treasurer and vice president. She also represented KU Law in the National Native American Law Students Association Moot Court Competition.

Among her many contributions, Fredrick considers co-founding ABLE, KU Law’s Disability Law Society, as the most meaningful. As a student with cerebral palsy, she was driven to create a space dedicated to disability and differing-ability advocacy within the law school. Serving as co-president, she helped foster important conversations around accessibility, inclusion and disability rights, leaving a lasting impact on the KU Law community.

Academically, Fredrick found value in the Supreme Court Research Practicum class, where she sharpened her legal research and analytical skills while engaging with complex constitutional issues. The experience culminated in presenting her findings before the Kansas Supreme Court.

Some of Fredrick’s most meaningful law school memories center on community, whether through founding ABLE, participating in student organizations or representing KU Law through programs like the 6^th Semester in D.C. or the National Native American Law Society Moot Court competition.

“These moments reminded me why collective advocacy and collaboration matter so much in legal education,” she said.

KU Law equipped Fredrick with the practical skills and confidence needed to enter the workforce, particularly through its emphasis on real-world legal problems and experiential learning. 

After graduation, Fredrick will begin her career as a housing attorney with Legal Services NYC in the Bronx. She is most excited about becoming part of a community and engaging in community lawyering focused on social justice.

“I look forward to working alongside clients, advocates and communities to create meaningful change,” she said.

Her path toward housing law was shaped by her internship with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Kansas City and coursework in fair housing law, both of which reinforced the importance of housing stability and equity and showed her how legal advocacy can directly impact people’s lives.

-By Casey Bacot