Laura Uttley collaborates with clients to develop and execute comprehensive advocacy strategies that resonate with congressional and federal agency audiences and advance clients’ priorities. Since joining the firm in 2012, Laura has leveraged experiences on Capitol Hill, with federal agencies, and in academia to build a diverse issue portfolio integrated with legislative and regulatory processes.
As the firm’s lead for defense health and biosecurity issues, Laura has broad federal agency expertise, including the Department of Defense (DOD), the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), among others. The breadth of this knowledge benefits clients’ interagency priorities and promotes multi-pronged approaches to achieving federal funding goals. Laura couples her agency expertise with legislative advocacy to successfully promote client interests in authorization and appropriations legislation.
Issue Expertise: Defense and national security, biodefense, global health security, appropriations, and social and behavioral sciences.
Additional Experience: Laura mentors graduate and undergraduate students through American University’s Public Affairs and Advocacy Institute, sharing her professional experiences and expertise to further students’ theoretical and practical understanding of lobbying and public policy. She is a Co-Founder and Member of the State Society of Rhode Island. Laura gained additional government relations experience in Congress and the Department of Defense through appointments in the Offices of Congressman James Langevin, Senator Jack Reed, and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs.
Vital Statistics: Laura attended American University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration. Born and raised in Jamestown, Rhode Island, Laura enjoys traveling to her hometown to spend time at the beach in the summer.