Peter S. Gonzales, a commercial litigation associate at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in Chicago, is the newest member of the Institute for Latino Studies (ILS) Advisory Council.
As a young alum on the council, he will advance Notre Dame’s mission by serving as an ambassador for ND in his community and profession. Specifically, he will provide counsel and professional expertise, advance research aims, leverage his networks to provide opportunities for students and graduates, and support University priorities, including those relevant to ILS.
Gonzales, a double domer, received his B.A. in the Program of Liberal Studies from the College of Arts and Letters in 2016, with minors in Business Economics and Public Policy. This he followed with a J.D. in 2019 from Notre Dame Law School.
During his school years, Gonzales took full advantage of the opportunities around him and accumulated an impressive resume. He worked in the Office of the Provost during all four years of his undergraduate career. There were stints as an intern for then-Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend and U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly of Indiana in Washington, D.C. In law school, he continued to seek out positions of leadership and learning, serving as class representative of the Student Bar Association, co-president of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), and president for both the Hispanic Law Student Association and the American Constitution Society’s ND chapter.
During his personal time, Gonzales loves spending time with his family and dog. He enjoys running and traveling- most recently through South America hiking Machu Picchu and the Salkantay Mountain pass. He also enjoys exploring Chicago and finding hidden gem restaurants throughout its neighborhoods.
Gonzales is an avid supporter of students of color in Chicago fighting for the opportunity to succeed in life. He serves as an auxiliary board member of the Midtown Education Fund and a board member of The Reach Out Community Center in Chicago.
“It is my privilege to join the ILS Advisory Counsel,” Gonzales said. “As an undergraduate, the ILS gave me a feeling of comfort and support which could only come from the empowerment, recognition, celebration, pride, and study of the culture I hold dear.”
“Now, as a member of this esteemed counsel, young attorney, and community servant, my focus will be working to enhance that same feeling for our current students, fighting to help give them the skills to achieve their dreams, and become the very best they can be.”
Originally published by at latinostudies.nd.edu on November 05, 2020.