ATLANTA – Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Robyn A. Crittenden announced changes to the Department’s senior leadership team today.

Stephen Harris, who has served as the Department’s Interim General Counsel since March, has been named as General Counsel and will oversee the Office of General Counsel which provides legal guidance and direction on Department initiatives concerning child support and child welfare, family independence and adult protective services.

Harris is the former DHS Deputy General Counsel, where he served as the agency’s privacy officer. Harris has been with DHS since January 2012, originally serving as the Legal Policy Specialist for the Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) and later as the Associate General Counsel assigned to DCSS.

“Mr. Harris’ legal expertise has been invaluable throughout his career with the Department. His knowledge of the law combined with his experience working on human service issues is beneficial to the Department and those we serve,” said DHS Commissioner Robyn A. Crittenden. “I am confident Mr. Harris will continue to serve the Department and the children and families of our state well in this role.”

Prior to joining DHS, Harris was the Staff Attorney for the Griffin Judicial Circuit. He has an undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and earned his law degree from Brooklyn Law School. He lives in Tucker with his wife, Alison.