Paula M. Stannard was named director of the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In this role, she serves as the department’s lead on the implementation and enforcement of federal health information privacy and security rules under HIPAA, as well as civil rights, conscience, and religious freedom laws.

Prior to her HHS appointment, Stannard served as chief legal counsel for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. Her earlier federal service includes roles as senior counselor to HHS secretaries Tom Price and Alex Azar during President Trump’s first term and acting general counsel and deputy general counsel at HHS under President George W. Bush.

In addition to her government service, Stannard spent 16 years in private practice, including as counsel in the health care group at Alston & Bird in Washington, D.C., and as a litigation associate at Skadden, Arps in Chicago.