Laurie Purpuro is a government affairs counselor in the firm's Public Policy and Law practice group. Drawing on experience in the executive branch, on Capitol Hill, and in the private sector, she advises clients on federal policy, legislative strategy, and funding opportunities, with a focus on critical minerals and energy policy, as well as industrial decarbonization, sustainability, and environmental matters.
Laurie leads the firm's Critical Minerals Industry Group, where she advises mining, processing, manufacturing, and technology companies on the rapidly evolving federal critical minerals policy landscape. She helps clients navigate congressional and executive branch initiatives related to domestic supply chains, strategic materials, energy security, advanced manufacturing, and federal funding opportunities. She regularly advises domestic and international companies on federal funding programs, supply chain initiatives, permitting-related policy developments, and engagement strategies with Congress and federal agencies. She also advises clients on securing and leveraging federal grants, loans, and other government funding opportunities to support energy, manufacturing, and critical minerals projects.
Prior to joining the firm, Laurie served as senior policy advisor to the Secretary of the US Department of Energy, where she advised on a broad range of energy and environmental initiatives. She also brings more than a decade of Capitol Hill experience, having served as deputy chief of staff to Senator Spencer Abraham (R-MI) and as legislative director to Congressman Jim Saxton (R-NJ) and Congressman Bob Davis (R-MI). In these roles, she advised Members of Congress on issues involving energy, environmental policy, tax, appropriations, natural resources, and agriculture.
In addition to her government service, Laurie served as director of government relations for the American Forest & Paper Association, where she represented industry interests before Congress on environmental, transportation, and natural resource issues.
Laurie's energy practice includes advising clients on energy efficiency, clean energy deployment, and emissions reduction policies. She has extensive experience with the ENERGY STAR® program and assists clients in developing regulatory comments, engaging policymakers, and advancing legislative and appropriations strategies. She also supports clients pursuing policies that encourage innovation in carbon management, carbon utilization, and other emissions reduction technologies.
