Ex-Rep. Clay joins law and lobbying firm Pillsbury

Former Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-Mo.) has joined law and lobbying firm Pillsbury as a senior policy adviser after losing his reelection bid in 2020.

Clay joined the firm’s public policy team in Washington, D.C. His former chief of staff, Yvette Cravins, also went to the firm as a senior counsel. She worked for Clay for nearly seven years, and before that she was counsel for the Democratic members of the House Oversight and Reform Committee.

Clay served in Congress from 2001 to 2021. He was on the House Financial Services, Natural Resources, and Oversight and Reform committees during his tenure. 

“My service to Missouri’s first Congressional district was the honor of my life, and I look forward to working on many of the same pressing issues on behalf of Pillsbury clients,” Clay said in a statement. “The global policy and regulatory landscapes are changing rapidly, and Pillsbury is leading the way in helping businesses navigate that evolution.” 

Clay was defeated in the Democratic primary by Rep. Cori Bush (Mo.). When he was first elected in 2000, Clay succeeded his father, Bill Clay, who had held the congressional seat for 32 years. 

Another former Democratic lawmaker who left Congress this year, Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.), went to the law and lobbying firm Arent Fox last week.