HON. VERONICA FERRAIUOLI HORNEDO
SECRETARY OF STATE / LT. GOVERNOR
Veronica Ferraiuoli Hornedo earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1994. She completed a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree at Boston University School of Law in 1997. During her time at Boston University, she also studied at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law. Ferraiuoli was admitted to practice law in Puerto Rico in 1998. She is also admitted to several federal and specialized judicial forums, including the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico in 1998, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and the United States Court of International Trade in 1999, and the Supreme Court of the United States in 2001.
Ferraiuoli's professional career in the legal field spans state and federal litigation, international trade, corporate matters, and health-related legal issues. She has represented clients in high-profile cases, including one before the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit concerning sovereign immunity under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. She also participated in a case before the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico that challenged the constitutionality of mandatory membership for veterinarians in professional associations. In February 2023, she represented the Puerto Rico Society of Certified Public Accountants during an oral argument before the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico, defending the mandatory membership requirements for certified public accountants.
In October 2017, she joined the office of Puerto Rico's Resident Commissioner, Jenniffer González-Colón, initially as a part-time employee. In April 2019, she transitioned to a full-time role, serving as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legal Advisor. In this capacity, she provided strategic and legal guidance on federal matters affecting Puerto Rico and facilitated coordination efforts between the Island and the United States Congress.
Ferraiuoli has held prominent leadership roles, including serving as President of the Puerto Rico Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. In 2024, she was appointed Director of the Luis A. Ferré Institute of Public Policy, a key institution in developing governance strategies for Puerto Rico. In November 2024, she was a member of the government transition committee for the incoming administration.
In December 2024, Governor-elect Jenniffer González-Colón nominated Ferraiuoli as Secretary of State of Puerto Rico, and she was sworn into office on January 2, 2025. As part of the nomination process, her appointment requires the advice and consent of both the Senate and the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico.