Cornerstone Government Affairs announced today the addition of former Deputy General Counsel at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Prescott Martin to the firm’s federal government relations team. With over a decade of experience in agriculture, food and environmental law and policy, Martin will provide clients with insights into the legislative and regulatory processes at both the congressional and executive agency level.
“We are thrilled to be adding Prescott to what is already one of the top Agriculture practices in our industry,” CEO Geoff Gonella said. “He is a well-respected, skilled lawyer and policy navigator who has an excellent reputation and a broad and diverse set of bipartisan relationships across the Hill and the USDA. He will immediately add value to our clients.”
In his role as Deputy General Counsel as USDA, Martin oversaw virtually all departmental legal matters, provided strategic guidance to the Secretary of Agriculture and worked closely with the Executive Office of the President. He guided USDA agencies through various rulemakings, regulation and program implementations including those authorized under the Farm Bill, the Inflation Reduction Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the American Rescue Plan and multiple appropriations acts. He also advised the Department on matters under the Trade Sanctions Reform Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and meat and poultry inspection laws.
Prior to USDA, Martin served as Chief Counsel to the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture. In that role, he facilitated the legislative process and advised Members of Congress on agriculture, food and environmental laws. He also wrote legislation on commodities, conservation, animal and plant biotechnology, pesticides, hemp, food safety and national emergencies. He has authored and co-authored multiple public laws, including the 2018 Farm Bill, Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act, U.S. Grain Standards Reauthorization Act, the American Rescue Plan Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act.
Throughout his years of service as a presidential appointee and congressional staffer, Martin has collaborated with political leaders, career policy staff and regulators at a wide range of federal agencies and departments, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Justice, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and USDA.
“Departing the government was a not an easy choice to make, but in joining Cornerstone, where nearly everyone was previously on congressional staff or an executive branch official, the transition from public service is relatively natural,” Martin said. “Cornerstone will feel like home in no time.”
Martin received his Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from George Washington University and his Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina.