Chief Counsel, Karen Ray

Karen Burdett Ray is chief counsel for the Texas Health and Human Services system. In that role, she advises the executive team and manages the Appeals, Legal Services and Privacy Divisions.

Ray has worked in public service for more than 25 years. She began her legal career at the Office of the Attorney General, where she represented a variety of Texas agencies and officials in state and federal court. She came to the Health and Human Services Commission in 2001 as assistant general counsel, later serving as special counsel for litigation and deputy chief counsel. She took on the role of chief counsel in April 2015.

Ray holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin and Juris Doctor degree from the University of Texas School of Law.