Prescott's Bio
Prescott Martin, former Deputy General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), joined Cornerstone’s federal government relations enhancing the firm’s agriculture expertise. With over a decade of experience in agriculture, food and environmental public policy, Prescott provides clients with insights into the legislative process at both the congressional and executive agency level.Prescott served as the Deputy Chief Counsel of the Department of Agriculture during the Biden administration, overseeing all departmental legal matters and advising the Secretary of Agriculture. In this role, he also assisted agencies with regulatory processes and program implementation, including Pandemic Assistance for Cotton Merchandisers (Agricultural Marketing Service), Inflation Reduction Act (multi-agency), Trade Sanctions Reform Act (Foreign Agriculture Service, Food Safety & Inspection Service) and National Environmental Policy Act (U.S. Forest Service, Rural Development Agency).
Prior to his appointment to USDA’s Office of the General Counsel, Prescott served on the House Committee on Agriculture as Chief Counsel. In this role, he counseled Members of Congress on agriculture, food and environmental laws. He also wrote legislation on commodities, conservation and environment, animal and plant biotechnology, pesticides, hemp, food safety and national emergencies. Prescott authored or co-authored multiple public laws including the 2018 Farm Bill, Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act, U.S. Grain Standards Reauthorization Act, American Rescue Plan Act, Inflation Reduction Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023.
Prescott received his Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from George Washington University and his Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina.