Vice Adm. DeRenzi is the 42nd Judge Advocate General (JAG) of the Navy. As the Judge Advocate General, DeRenzi is the principal military legal counsel to the Secretary of the Navy and Chief of Naval Operations, and serves as the Department of Defense representative for Ocean Policy Affairs (REPOPA). As the JAG, she also leads the 2,300 attorneys, enlisted legalmen, and civilian employees of the worldwide Navy JAG Corps community.

DeRenzi was born in Philadelphia, and raised in Pennsauken, N. J. She graduated magna cum laude from Villanova University in 1983. She was commissioned through the JAG Corps Student Program and, in 1986, graduated from the Temple University School of Law. She later earned a Master of Laws degree (Environmental Law) from the George Washington University School of Law.

DeRenzi served from 2009 to 2012 as the deputy judge advocate general of the Navy and commander, Naval Legal Service Command. As commander, Naval Legal Service Command, she led the judge advocates, enlisted legalmen, and civilian employees of 17 commands worldwide, providing prosecution and defense services, legal assistance services to individuals, and legal support to shore and afloat commands.

Before her appointment to flag rank, she served as the senior staff judge advocate for Commander, U.S. Southern Command; special assistant for Legal and Legislative Matters to the Secretary of the Navy; legislative counsel for Environmental Programs in the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs; and, executive assistant to the JAG. In command, she served as commanding officer, Naval Legal Service Office, North Central.

Afloat, DeRenzi served as the fleet judge advocate to Commander, U.S. 7th and 3rd Fleets, as well as staff judge advocate to Commander, Carrier Group Seven.

DeRenzi began her career as a litigator, first as a defense counsel and, later, as a trial counsel (prosecution) in Newport, R. I., followed by assignments in appellate defense and civil litigation in Washington, D.C.

DeRenzi is admitted to practice before the courts of the State of New Jersey and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She holds various decorations and awards, including the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (four awards), the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards).