Minnesota Lawyer
Maslon LLP
As a Como Park High School student in St. Paul two decades ago, Bradley Pederson joined a mentoring program that eventually led to an internship at 3M.
The opportunity changed his life, giving him a chance to see how a professional office in a Fortune 500 company operated. He would eventually go on to law school and become a corporate and securities attorney and partner at Maslon LLP.
To pay back his good fortune in high school, Pederson has served as co-chair of the governance committee of Achieve Twin Cities for the past six years. The organization equips underrepresented Twin Cities high school students for careers, college and life.
“Its mission aligned with all the benefits I received as a kid,” he said. “I was the beneficiary of a program similar to what Achieve does, and I think it helped get me to where I am. I thought that at a minimum, I could give back and be a part of the board.”
Pederson has been involved in other pro bono work, too. As a volunteer for LegalCORPs, Pederson uses his skills as a transactional attorney to help diverse entrepreneurs deal with starting companies, raising money or expanding operations.
Inside Maslon, the Latino attorney has served on a diversity, equity and inclusion committee for years and created a diverse workforce group where attorneys can seek support.
He loves a chance to help. “I think lawyers are uniquely positioned to be able to provide services that many people don’t have the skill set or the qualifications for,” Pederson said. “I think at a broader level volunteering is about just being a good citizen.”
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