Mary Connealy Acosta is the Assistant Chief of the Mental Health Division for the Harris County Public Defender’s Office in Houston, Texas. Prior to this managerial position she spent 13 years as a Senior Litigator in the same office. Mary also presents Continuing Education courses dealing with topics in this critical mental health area. Before coming to work at the PD’s Office Mary spent 15 years managing her own practice as a criminal defense attorney. In private practice, as well as in her public career, Mary has spent most of her time representing and counseling defendants who have suffered from mental health, financial, and social issues. She has served on several non-profit boards and has volunteered her time to organizations committed to transforming lives in Harris County. Mary’s passion for mental health is both professional and personal as she has experienced similar issues with her own family and close friends. Mary graduated from South Texas School of Law, and received both her MBA and BBA degrees from the University of St. Thomas here in Houston. Mary is the proud mother of two adult children and is married and lives Meyerland.