Brenda V. Smith

Brenda V. Smith is a Professor of Law at the American University Washington College of Law and Director of the Community Economic Development Law Clinic. She served as Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs from 2018-2020 and has directed The Project on Addressing Prison Rape since 1998. Her work focuses on intersections of gender, crime, and sexuality.

Education:

• B.A., Spelman College (1980, magna cum laude)
• J.D., Georgetown University Law Center (1984)

Professor Smith specializes in gender-based legal scholarship, with expertise in criminal law, prisoners' rights, and community development. Her research analyzes systemic issues in prison rape, masculinity narratives in sexual violence, and policy reforms under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).

Scientific Awards:

• Kellogg National Leadership Fellowship (1993)
• Emmalee C. Godsey Research Award (2003)
• 2017 Pauline Ruyle Moore Scholar for Outstanding Scholarship in Public Law
• Inducted into D.C. Women’s Hall of Fame (1998)

Notable Contributions: Appointed to the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission (2003). Former Senior Counsel for Economic Security at the National Women's Law Center and Director of its Women in Prison Project. Regularly provides expert testimony on criminal justice reform.