Press Release
Press Release
Press Contacts: Erik Cummins, Matt Hyams, Olivia Thomas
05.10.21
Pillsbury is pleased to announce that former U.S. Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D-Missouri) has joined Pillsbury’s Government Law & Strategies team in Washington, D.C. as Senior Policy Advisor. Also joining Pillsbury as Senior Counsel is Yvette Cravins, an accomplished attorney and political professional who served for more than a decade on Capitol Hill as Congressman Clay’s Chief of Staff and as Counsel to the House Oversight & Reform Committee.
"We are delighted that Lacy and Yvette have decided to continue their distinguished careers with Pillsbury,” said Chairman Dave Dekker. “Their arrival affords clients new perspectives and strengthens our policy team’s ability to help clients solve the thorniest legislative, administrative and regulatory challenges.”
For more than two decades, Congressman Clay represented St. Louis, Missouri in Congress, achieving a record of bipartisan legislative successes while serving in key roles on the House Financial Services, Natural Resources, and Oversight and Reform Committees.
"My service to Missouri’s first Congressional district was the honor of my life, and I look forward to working on many of the same pressing issues on behalf of Pillsbury clients,” said Congressman Clay. “The global policy and regulatory landscapes are changing rapidly, and Pillsbury is leading the way in helping businesses navigate that evolution.”
Throughout his career in public service, Congressman Clay cultivated bipartisan relationships with influential voices in Washington, including House of Representatives leadership, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. “I hope my experience and bipartisan relationships will further enhance the firm’s standing with key leaders in the House and the Congressional Tri-Caucuses.”
Yvette Cravins joins Pillsbury following a successful career in Louisiana state politics as a former assistant Attorney General and in leadership roles on Capitol Hill. While serving as Chief of Staff and chief strategist for Congressman Clay, Cravins served as liaison to two presidential administrations and several federal agencies. Prior to serving as Chief of Staff for Congressman Clay, Cravins served as Counsel on the House Oversight & Reform Committee.
“Pillsbury’s public policy team has built an impressive reputation for successfully pursuing client interests while acting with the utmost integrity,” Cravins said. “I look forward to being part of such a highly regarded policy group and putting my experience to work for those Pillsbury represents.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Congressman Clay and Yvette to our team,” added Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Pillsbury’s Government Law & Strategies Leader. “With their top-level connections with leaders in Congress and the Biden Administration and deep and diverse policy experience, they bring added firepower to our team just when clients need it most.”
Pillsbury’s regulatory lawyers operate on the front lines of law and policy. Named the 2020 Regulatory Law Firm of the Year by Women in Compliance, the firm’s experienced team advises on governmental investigations, compliance program development and implementation, regulatory hearings, government contract and spending initiatives and public policy advocacy at all government levels.