Ruth Ruggero Hughs, former Texas Secretary of State, is a partner at Kelly Hart’s Austin office and co-chair’s the firm’s Public Law group. Her practice is focused on Public Law, assisting businesses to manage the intersection of law, policy and government, including advising on international transactions and trade matters, government procurement, energy regulatory and policy matters, corporate governance and crisis counseling, federal and state regulatory matters, and public policy. Ms. Hughs brings decades of combined legal, government, and political experience to the comprehensive array of services she provides to corporate, public, and non-public clients at the federal, state, and local levels.
Ruth Ruggero Hughs
Awarded Practice Areas
Administrative / Regulatory Law Government Relations Practice
Awarded Practice Areas
Administrative / Regulatory Law Government Relations Practice
Biography
Locations
Education
- The University of Texas, B.A., graduated 1991
- Rutgers University–Camden, J.D., graduated 1995
Bar Admissions
Affiliations
- Texas Bar Association - Member
- Austin Bar Association - Member
- Hispanic Bar Association of Austin - Member
- Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association - Member
- Austin Chamber of Commerce - Board of Directors
- National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) - Emeritus
- UTeach Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin - UTeach Advisory Council
- Texas Science and Engineering Fair (TXSEF) Advisory Board Chair - Advisory Board Chair
- The Long Center - Board of Directors
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Administrative / Regulatory Law
- Government Relations Practice
Awards:
- Honorary Consul to Spain in Austin
- Best Lawyers in America®, 2024-2026
- Administrative | Regulatory Law
- Government Relations
- Best Lawyers in America®, 2024-2026
- Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce 2024 Women of Distinction
- Texas Woman of Influence, Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce, 2023
- Great Woman of Texas, Fort Worth Business Press, 2022
News & Media
Publications
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