President (Marshall Islands)

Laurence E. Edwards II, Esq. serves as Legal Counsel for the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA) in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). Raised in a Christian and diplomatic family, Laurence—known as “Lau” to friends and colleagues—spent his formative years living around the world. Although raised outside the RMI, his cultural heritage and religious values deeply shaped his passion for protecting indigenous peoples’ customary rights and preserving the nation’s marine resources.

Lau began his career with the RMI Government in 2008 as an Assistant Attorney General, serving in the Attorney General’s Office until mid-2015. Since late 2015, he has represented MIMRA in specialized meetings under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and contributed to the Reimaanlok process. His legal expertise focuses on Environmental Law and Fisheries Law.

A strong advocate for collaboration and teamwork, Lau has over a decade of experience implementing and managing legal services for the RMI. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of the South Pacific, School of Law (Emalus Campus, Vanuatu) and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Environmental Law from the Australian National University College of Law in Canberra. Outside of work, Lau is a proud father of three who enjoys exercise, reading, travel, church, and Sunday cruises around Majuro Atoll with his wife and best friend.