Former Texas A&M General Counsel Ray Bonilla Joins Holland & Knight in Austin

AUSTIN, Texas (December 4, 2025) – Holland & Knight has strengthened its Education Team with the addition of experienced attorney Ray Bonilla as a partner in Austin. Mr. Bonilla most recently served as general counsel for the Texas A&M University System.

"Ray's breadth of experience serving as general counsel for the Texas A&M University System will significantly enhance the Firm's litigation, labor and employment, and education practices, while also deepening our capabilities in sports law," said Eddie Diaz, co-leader of Holland & Knight's Labor and Employment Group. "His addition creates new opportunities for collaboration across our Texas offices as we continue to grow in the state, and we are excited to welcome him to the team."

Mr. Bonilla joined Texas A&M in 2011 and oversaw all legal services for a total of 11 universities under the A&M system, which includes more than 170,000 students and approximately 30,000 employees. He managed all legal issues relating to governance, litigation, regulatory compliance, faculty and student affairs, research compliance, construction and real estate, international activities and Division I athletics. In addition, he worked closely with system leadership and the government relations team on legislative matters and has testified before committees of the Texas Legislature as a subject matter expert on a variety of higher education topics.

Before joining Texas A&M, Mr. Bonilla was a founding partner at Ray, Wood & Bonilla LLP from 1998 to 2011, and previously served as general counsel for the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

"I am thrilled to join Holland & Knight's leading Education Team and look forward to leveraging the extensive experience I gained at Texas A&M to represent institutions of higher education and their affiliates, as well as entities doing business with those institutions," Mr. Bonilla said. "As universities across the country navigate the rapid changes in their regulatory environment and in areas such as name, image and likeness and collegiate athletics, I am eager to work with my new colleagues across the country to help clients remain competitive in this quickly evolving environment."

Mr. Bonilla received a J.D. degree and a B.B.A. degree from The University of Texas at Austin.