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Mary Spear Appointed as Chief Legal Counsel for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services

MADISON—Today, Secretary Dennis G. Smith announced the appointment of Mary Spear as the new Chief Legal Counsel for the Department of Health Services.

“Mary’s expertise in health insurance law as well as her public policy background will be a great asset to the Department,” said Secretary Smith. “Her knowledge and skills will greatly assist the Department at a time of increased focus on state health insurance systems.”

Spear has many years of experience as an attorney, in both private practice and serving as legal counsel and director of governmental affairs for insurance companies in her home state of Texas. She served as Director of State Affairs at the Council for Affordable Health Insurance, Vice President of Governmental Relations for PFL Life Insurance Company and Assistant General Counsel, Vice President and Assistant Secretary at Western Fidelity Insurance Company. Spear also served on the Texas Health Reinsurance System Board of Directors.

Spear has done pro bono work for Dispute Mediation Services, Inc., served on a voluntary basis as Special Counsel for the City of Coppell in Texas and also as support staff with the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program. She has also volunteered as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and won awards for her volunteer work with Shoes for Orphan Souls and Head Start of Greater Dallas, Inc.

She is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, the American Bar Association, the Dallas Bar Association and the State Bar of Texas.

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Last Revised:  January 17, 2012