Ashley Lawrence Joins Holland & Knight's Public Policy Team
WASHINGTON (August 26, 2021) – Holland & Knight has added Ashley Lawrence as a senior public affairs advisor in the firm's Public Policy & Regulation Practice Group in Washington, D.C. Most recently, she was a managing director in Dentons' Public Policy practice. Previously, Ms. Lawrence was a registered federal lobbyist at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, where she focused on criminal justice, voting rights and hate crimes issues.
"Ashley is a critical addition to our education policy and advocacy practice where she will be focused on advancing the policy priorities of our university as well as elementary and secondary institutional clients," said Rich Gold, the leader of Holland & Knight's Public Policy & Regulation Practice Group.
"Ashley brings with her over 10 years of policy and legal experience which includes positions on Capitol Hill, social justice advocacy as well as federal lobbying. Her previous work has included successfully advocating for criminal justice reform, securing voting rights for the marginalized, and improving energy solutions and expanding healthcare," said Shawna Watley, senior education and local government policy advisor with Holland & Knight. "I am excited to have Ashley join our firm, she has a wealth of experience in the public policy field and will certainly be an asset to the group."
Ms. Lawrence has been working in Washington since 2009 when she was selected to serve as an intern with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, and was assigned to work in Congressman Charles B. Rangel's office. She has worked with numerous civil rights organizations in both policy and legal support capacities.
"Holland & Knight has an excellent reputation on Capitol Hill and possesses one of the top public policy teams in Washington. I am thrilled to start the next chapter of my career with this exceptional group of lawyers and policy professionals," Ms. Lawrence said.
Ms. Lawrence received a J.D. degree from Howard University School of Law and a B.A. degree from Smith College.