Holland & Knight Welcomes Congressional and Regulatory Investigations Partner Ashley Joyner Chavous in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON (April 20, 2026) – Holland & Knight is expanding its litigation, congressional and regulatory investigation capabilities in Washington, D.C., with the addition of Partner Ashley Joyner Chavous, a trusted advisor to senior leadership, public companies and financial institutions navigating high-stakes congressional investigations, enforcement risk and institutional culture challenges. She was previously of counsel at Covington & Burling LLP.
Ms. Chavous brings more than a decade of experience representing Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 technology companies, financial institutions and national nonprofits in navigating congressional investigations and high-stakes matters involving national security, trade controls, competition, artificial intelligence (AI) and other business-critical risks. Her arrival comes as congressional investigations are poised to intensify heading into and following the 2026 midterm elections, with both parties sharpening oversight agendas across sectors including technology, healthcare, AI, data privacy and China-related matters.
In her practice, Ms. Chavous negotiates with committee staff to shape investigative scope, protect confidential information and privilege, and guide witness preparation under heightened public and political scrutiny. She leads multiphase risk assessment engagements for clients navigating congressional oversight, regulatory exposure and evolving stakeholder expectations. She also plays an advisory role for clients conducting internal investigations related to company operations, environment, social and governance (ESG) compliance and AI governance. Before entering private practice, Ms. Chavous covered crime and the courts as a journalist, experience that informs her work at the intersection of law, policy and public perception.
"Ashley is a highly visible and deeply respected leader in her field, serving as a trusted strategist and legal advisor to leading companies," said Kwamina Williford, leader of Holland & Knight's Washington, D.C., Litigation Practice Group. "Her experience representing clients in high-profile investigations before key House and Senate committees and rapidly growing advisory practice focusing on cutting-edge issues position her to advance the Firm's strategic priorities."
"In our increasingly polarized political environment, congressional investigations have become a more frequent risk for companies, nonprofits and individuals across sectors," said Christopher Armstrong, co-leader of Holland & Knight's Congressional Investigations Team. "Whether our clients face scrutiny from Republican-led committees today or from potential Democratic majorities in the 120th Congress, Ashley's deep experience in managing high-stakes congressional inquiries, preparing witnesses and conducting proactive risk assessments strengthens our ability to help clients navigate what we expect to be an extraordinarily active investigative environment in the months and years ahead."
"Congressional oversight is becoming more frequent, more complex and more expansive, with growing focus on national security, AI, supply chains, corporate governance and the real-world impact of business practices," Ms. Chavous said. "I am excited to join Holland & Knight and to collaborate across the Firm's practices to help clients stay ahead of risk, navigate investigations and respond effectively in high-pressure, highly visible environments."
Ms. Chavous has been recognized by Best Lawyers (One to Watch), Super Lawyers (Rising Star) and was named a 2025 fellow of the Leadership Conference on Legal Diversity, among various other honors. She has a thriving pro bono practice focused on civil rights and access to justice. She also serves as a mayoral appointee to the D.C. Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board.
Ms. Chavous earned a B.A. degree from Syracuse University, an M.A. degree from New York University and a J.D. degree from Howard University School of Law.