Nelly R. Herrera, J.D.

Nelly R. Herrera has been with the Texas State University System Office of General Counsel since July 2011. She is a magna cum laude graduate of St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Texas School of Law.

Prior to joining TSUS, Ms. Herrera worked with the Texas Attorney General’s Office where she began her legal career as a law clerk. She first worked in the Consumer Protection Division but soon moved to the Tort Litigation Division where she defended numerous governmental agencies throughout the state. She was promoted to Division Chief of the Tort Litigation Division, serving for 16 years under both Democratic and Republican Attorneys General.

She began her career with TSUS as an Associate General Counsel assigned to Texas State University. She served as Deputy General Counsel from 2017 until 2020 when she assumed the role of Vice Chancellor and General Counsel. She oversees the Office of General Counsel in providing legal services to seven member institutions across Texas. She provides legal advice to the Board of Regents, Chancellor, and other TSUS and campus-level leadership. She is board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law. She received the 2009 Government Service Award from the Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association.

Nelly was born in Mexico and is proud to be a dual citizen of both Mexico and the United States—her two beloved countries. She and her husband, Paul, have been married for more than 30 years.