Renée Hutchins Laurent

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University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law

Renée Hutchins Laurent, dean and professor of law at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, has built a distinguished career spanning prosecution, defense work, academia and legal scholarship. Her appointment to lead Carey Law represented a homecoming after years of diverse legal experience.

Laurent spent 14 years as a faculty member at Carey Law, where she taught the Appellate and Post-Conviction Advocacy Clinic, Criminal Procedure, Fourth Circuit Decisions and a criminal appeals seminar. She then served as dean and Rauh Chair of Public Interest Law at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law before returning to Maryland.

As a nationally recognized expert on the Fourth Amendment and criminal appellate practice, Laurent has authored or co-authored three textbooks and contributed to the book “POLICING THE BLACK MAN.” She has also written several scholarly articles in her field.

Laurent currently serves on the Executive Committee for the American Association of Law Schools and on the Board of Directors for AccessLex. She also sits on West Academic Publishing’s Law School Advisory Board. Governor Wes Moore appointed Laurent to chair the Appellate Courts Judicial Nominating Commission.

When asked about leadership lessons, Laurent explained, “A leader is best when people barely know she exists, when her work is done, her aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” She emphasized that leadership involves championing the team rather than oneself and creating spaces of belonging and purpose.

Laurent noted that she has faced challenges, including financial uncertainty and the need to uphold academic integrity while responding to leadership shifts.

She said she encouraged Carey Law’s faculty, staff, and students to innovate and adapt while remaining rooted in shared values.

Laurent said she uses her influence to advance Maryland by championing excellence, upholding constitutional values and fostering inclusive dialogue. She remains committed to cultivating the next generation of legal professionals who will be brilliant, innovative and principled.

A fun fact about Laurent is that she raced NASTAR as a teenager.

Honoree profiles were written using an artificial intelligence program and supported by information provided by the honorees and other resources. Each profile was reviewed, fact-checked and edited for accuracy by The Daily Record’s editorial staff.