Carrie McCollum, Executive Counsel

Carrie Ellis McCollum was appointed as General Counsel for the Alabama Department of Corrections in December 2018.

Ms. McCollum joins the Department of Corrections with extensive experience in state government, having previously served as Deputy Legal Advisor, Office of the Governor, State of Alabama from March 2013 to September 2016, and thereafter as General Counsel for the Alabama Credit Union Administration, the regulatory agency governing state-chartered credit unions, from October 2016 to November 2018. Ms. McCollum’s state government experience includes involvement in principles effecting state government such as constitutional issues, executive authorities and obligations, and the intersection of state and federal powers. She also has extensive experience in government operations, state contracting, legislation and litigation.

As General Counsel for the Department of Corrections, Ms. McCollum is a member of the Executive Leadership team and oversees the legal affairs of the Department, including both matters handled by in-house attorneys and outside counsel. In addition to the oversight of legal affairs, Ms. McCollum is integrally involved in the Department’s most significant litigation and other legal matters, including class action litigation involving the provision of medical and mental health services to inmates. Ms. McCollum is further actively involved in the Department’s plans for new prison construction.

Prior to joining state government, Ms. McCollum was engaged in the private practice of law for 15 years focusing on the representation of banks and financial institutions. In this practice, she acquired extensive knowledge of the heavily regulated financial services industry, including aspects of corporate governance, regulatory compliance, litigation and risk evaluation.

She is a cum laude graduate of the Sophie Newcomb College of Tulane University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in history and served in elected Student Government. She holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Alabama School of Law.