J.D.
2009, California Western School of Law, cum laude

B.A.
2005, Howard University

Catherine Pugh specializes in criminal defense law, with an emphasis on civil rights and police misconduct litigation. Upon law school graduation, she was one of only ten Honors Hires for the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. Ms. Pugh worked in the Special Litigation Section, specializing in “pattern and practice” investigations and litigation for: abuse under the color of law; violations of constitutional rights of the institutionalized; and, abuse of juveniles in confinement. Ms. Pugh received the Scriba Regis Award from the California Western School of Law, and was nominated for The American Society of Legal Writers Scribes Award, for her Comment, “What Do You Get When You Add Megan Williams to Matthew Sheppard and Victim Offender Mediation? A Hate Crime Law Prosecutors Will Actually Want to Use.” Before arriving in Japan, Ms. Pugh was a Trial Attorney for the Maryland Office of the Public Defender.