Chief Counsel Biography

Karen Hedlund, Chief Counsel

Federal Railroad Administration

Karen Hedlund was appointed as Chief Counsel of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in June 2010.

In June 2009 Ms. Hedlund was appointed Chief Counsel of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Prior that appointment Ms. Hedlund was a partner in the Nossaman LLP law firm, resident in its Washington, DC, and Los Angeles offices, where she advised state departments of transportation and regional transportation agencies on innovative procurements and financings for major highway, transit and speed rail projects. She also served as an advisor on state and federal legislative initiatives. She previously practiced with two other law firms—Mayer Brown and Skadden Arps.  

Ms. Hedlund was born in Chicago, Illinois, and received her A.B. from Harvard University and J.D. from Georgetown University.