Peter Kang joined the Kern County Public Defender’s Office in 2002, serving as Chief Deputy Public Defender from 2013 to 2018 and as Assistant Public Defender from 2018 to 2021. Over his career, he has secured multiple acquittals in high-stakes trials involving life sentences. In December 2021, the Kern County Board of Supervisors appointed him as the Kern County Public Defender.

Mr. Kang graduated with Highest Distinction and Phi Beta Kappa honors from UC Berkeley. He earned his law degree from UC Law San Francisco and completed a Public Policy and International Affairs JSI Fellowship at Carnegie Mellon University.

Before joining the Public Defender’s Office, he served as a USAF captain and as a base’s Chief of Military Justice during the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent Global War on Terrorism.