> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.fdaweb.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# HHS’ Sean Keveney Named FDA Chief Counsel
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/hhs-sean-keveney-named-fda-chief-counsel/
- Published: 2025-08-04T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T15:18:10.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: FDA Policy/General, #legacy-id-D5159622

HHS acting general counsel **Sean Keveney** has been appointed FDA’s new chief counsel. Most recently at HHS, Keveney led the Department’s work for the Trump Administration on “discrimination crackdowns” involving Harvard, Columbia, Brown and Duke and their alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, according to an HHS [release](https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/fda-appoints-sean-keveney-chief-counsel.html?ref=fdaweb.com).

Keveney is the second FDA chief counsel under the current Trump Administration. In March, former Justice Department attorney **Hilary Perkins** was selected for the post, but she only lasted two days before abruptly resigning her post ([see story](https://www.fdaweb.com/fda-top-lawyer-resigns-after-2-days-on-the-job/)). Her ouster was orchestrated, in large part, by Sen. **Josh Hawley** (R-MO), who objected to the former Justice Department lawyer’s new post because she defended FDA and the Biden Administration’s policy on the availability of abortion pills in a [high-profile case](https://litigationtracker.law.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Whole-Womans-Health-Alliance%5F2024.12.18%5FDEFENDANTS-COMBINED-MEMORANDUM-IN-SUPPORT-OF-CROSS-MOTION-FOR-SUMMARY-JUDGMENT-AND-IN-OPPOSITION-TO-PLAINTIFFS-MOTION-FOR-SUMMARY-JUDGMENT.pdf?ref=fdaweb.com).

“A career public servant with previous senior roles in the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, Keveney clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit for Judge **William Garwood**, an appointee of President **Ronald Reagan**,” the release says. “His leadership at HHS spanned major litigation, civil rights enforcement, and regulatory reform.” 

HHS principal deputy general counsel **Robert Foster** will assume the role of HHS acting general counsel of HHS, the release says.