Asha Jennings 

Asha Jennings was appointed Chief Counsel at the Department of Health Care Access and Information by Governor Newsom in January 2026. 

Ms. Jennings joined the Department in 2023 as an Assistant Chief Counsel. 

Previously, Ms. Jennings was an Attorney at the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC). At DMHC, she worked at the Help Center and the Office of Plan Licensing. At the Help Center, she worked to help health plan members resolve disputes with their health plans and ensure access to timely and appropriate care. At the Office of Plan Licensing, she reviewed and approved health plan documents to ensure compliance with applicable laws. 

Prior to joining the DMHC, Ms. Jennings was an Associate in the Healthcare Group at Murphy Austin Adams Schoenfeld LLP.  

Prior to attending law school, Ms. Jennings worked in marketing and communications at a variety of health care entities, including the M.I.N.D. institute, MedImmune Vaccines/Aviron, and the American Diabetes Association. 

Ms. Jennings earned her law degree from the University of California, Davis and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics from Willamette University.