SHAWNA THIERRY, J.D.

• Lead policy strategy by overhauling 130 institutional policies across legal, finance, IT, procurement, academic affairs, Title IX, to strengthen governance, ensure statutory compliance, and reduce audit risk.
• Provide Complex Legal Writing within Office of General Counsel. Responsible for drafting legal memoranda, refining litigation materials, demonstrating precision, strong analytical reasoning, and clear, well-crafted written analysis.
• Advise executive leadership and the governing board on legislative and regulatory developments, working closely with Vice Presidents, the CFO, and COO to align institutional policies with state law, compliance requirements, and organizational priorities.
• Partner with the Government Affairs department to assess legislative priorities and translate enacted laws and regulatory guidance into actionable institutional strategies and executive-level implementation plans.
• Design and manage compliance frameworks, including dashboards and tracking systems, to monitor legislative changes, assess risk exposure, and ensure timely implementation of state policies and regulatory requirements.

Committee Leadership Summary

Vice Chair, House Ways & Means Committee | Member, Energy Resources Committee | Member, Transportation Committee| Member, Land and Resources Management

Legislative & Regulatory Leadership

• High-Impact State Lawmaker: Directed and codified thousands of policy initiatives across healthcare, tax, education, energy, and public safety while navigating complex executive agency enforcement and legislative floor passage throughout eight years of legislative service.
• Healthcare Subject Matter Expert: Directed state-wide healthcare policy, codifying regulatory frameworks and funding models. Strengthened maternal health outcomes and patient access improving system-wide performance metrics and standards.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivated relationships with state agencies to shape regulatory decisions and resolve legal questions related to infrastructure and workforce compliance.
• Innovative Policy Maker: Authored groundbreaking maternal healthcare legislation to reduce mortality rates and expand patient access across Texas. Engineered landmark transparency reforms as the author of the first law requiring internal audits of ERCOT and architected the "panic button" initiative, translating critical school safety needs into enforceable state law.
• Subject Matter Expert Healthcare Policy: Legislated complex frameworks governing Medicare and Medicaid. Navigated executive agency mechanics, including HHSC and the Texas Medical Board.
• Consensus Builder: Worked across both sides of the political aisle, maintaining key strategic relationships with executive agencies, lawmakers and industry lobbyists. Expert in bridging gaps between competing interests to reach actionable outcomes.

• Facilitated successful real estate transactions as principal attorney for public finance law firm, delivering bond counsel and compliance support to public entities
• Structured municipal bond transactions financing large-scale governmental and infrastructure projects.
• Drafted and negotiated agreements governing public-private capital investments.
• Collaborated with Texas Attorney General’s office to align bond issuances with state requirements.
• General Counsel to tax increment reinvestment zone (TIRZ), addressing real estate transactions and compliance obligations effectively.

• Oversaw a successful civil litigation practice dedicated to advocating for plaintiffs in complex commercial and personal injury matters. Directed all business operations while managing case intake, evidentiary development, legal research, discovery, motion drafting, and trial preparation.
• Mentored junior attorneys and staff, fostering professional growth and enhancing team performance. Oversaw client relations, ensuring effective communication and satisfaction throughout legal processes.
• Managed case load efficiently, prioritizing tasks to meet critical deadlines and client needs.