# Verónica Ferraiuoli

Verónica Ferraiuoli Hornedo is a Puerto Rican politician and lawyer designated by the governor to be the secretary of state of Puerto Rico since 2025.

## Education

Ferraiuoli earned a B.A. at Johns Hopkins University in 1994. She completed a J.D. at Boston University School of Law in 1997. While at Boston University, she studied at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law.
Ferraiuoli was admitted to the practice of law in Puerto Rico in 1998. She is also admitted to the bar in 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.

## Career
### Early career

Ferraiuoli's legal career has included work in state and federal litigation, international trade, corporate matters, and health-related legal issues. She has represented clients in various cases, including one before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit involving sovereign immunity under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. She participated in a case before the supreme court of Puerto Rico addressing the constitutionality of mandatory membership for veterinarians in professional associations. In February 2023, she represented the Colegio de Contadores Públicos Autorizados de Puerto Rico during an oral hearing before the Puerto Rico supreme court, defending mandatory membership requirements for certified public accountants.
In October 2017, joined the office of the resident commissioner of Puerto Rico, Jenniffer González-Colón. Initially employed part-time, she transitioned to full-time work in April 2019. During this period, she served as deputy chief of staff and legal advisor. In this role, she provided strategic and legal counsel on federal matters affecting Puerto Rico and helped coordinate efforts between the island and the U.S. Congress.
During the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, Ferraiuoli was a Democratic delegate who cast a vote for Michael Bloomberg. In January 2022, Ferraiuoli was considered for a nomination to the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. This effort had the support of governor Pedro Pierluisi and resident commissioner González-Colón. However, her candidacy did not advance due to political dynamics in the U.S. Congress and the federal administration.
Ferraiuoli was president of the Federal Bar Association Puerto Rico Chapter. In 2024, she was director of the Luis A. Ferré Public Policy Institute. In November 2024, Ferraiuoli was appointed as acting chair of the government transition committee for the incoming administration in Puerto Rico. During the transition process, she highlighted the need for agency heads to prioritize pending issues and future challenges rather than focusing on past achievements.

### Secretary of State of Puerto Rico

In December 2024, governor-elect González-Colón announced her intention to nominate Ferraiuoli as secretary of state of Puerto Rico. This nomination is currently awaiting confirmation by the Puerto Rico senate and house of representatives. On January 2, 2025, Ferraiuoli was appointed to the role.

## Personal life

Ferraiuoli is married to Francisco Domenech, longtime campaign manager to González-Colón.