Kaitlin Caruso

Kaitlin Caruso joined Maine Law in 2021, first as a Visiting Professor and later in 2023 as an Associate Professor.  Her research interests lie primarily at the intersection of state and local government law, civil law enforcement, civil rights and consumer protection. She serves as the Director of the Certificate in Public Interest and Social Justice.

Professor Caruso teaches Civil Procedure, Administrative Law, Local Government, and Civil Rights Litigation. In recognition of her teaching, she received the Professor of the Year Award in 2025.

As an experienced public sector attorney, Professor Caruso has worked with cities and states across the country, predominantly on issues of consumer protection and civil rights. Prior to joining Maine Law, she was the Acting Director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, as well as the Division’s Deputy Director for Policy and Strategic Planning, and Acting Deputy Director for the Office of Consumer Protection. Professor Caruso also previously served as Special Counsel in the N.Y.C. Office of Counsel to the Mayor, Senior Counsel for Strategic Advocacy in the New York City Law Department and Legislative Counsel for the New York City Council. She also clerked on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. 

A Maine native, Professor Caruso earned her J.D. from Yale Law School (where she has also taught) and her undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Northwestern University.