The Honorable Pamela Hutchens, J.D.

Bio

Judge Pamela Hutchens, a native Virginian, graduated from Duke University and Pepperdine University School of Law, where she discovered her calling to advocacy during a 3L internship with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. She has dedicated her professional life to public service in the Commonwealth of Virginia, beginning as an Assistant and then Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney in Virginia Beach. During her 13 years as a prosecutor, she was responsible for pursuing justice in some of the community’s most high-profile cases, and was chosen to serve as one of two attorneys on the “career criminal” team, handling cases perpetrated by defendants with extensive prior records and deemed as heightened threats. Accordingly, she has extensive jury trial experience.

Her public service moved to the judiciary when she was appointed Judge of the General District Court of Virginia Beach, where she presided for 18 years. Upon retiring from the bench, Judge Hutchens developed a unique class called “Jury Strategies,” which incorporates both the law and the science of the psychological considerations in jury trials. She has taught that class at William & Mary Law School for the last several years.

Judge Hutchens has decades of teaching experience with various law enforcement and professional organizations, including as a faculty member of the 2026 National Trial Advocacy College.

As Co-Director of The Singer Center, Judge Hutchens teaches Trial Practice and Advanced Trial Practice, coaches Mock Trial competition teams, and leads the Center’s public service initiative. She has established a scholarship for third-year law students pursuing public service careers.

Credentials

• J.D., Pepperdine University School of Law
• B.A., Duke University