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Elizabeth Vella Moeller

Partner
Washington, DC

Partner, Washington, DC

T: +1.202.663.9159
T: +1.202.663.9159

Areas of Focus

Clients say Elizabeth is a ‘fantastic attorney who is proactive and knowledgeable with tremendous relationships,’ noting she ‘gives excellent advice and really understands DC … she really makes things happen.’
—Chambers USA

Named a Top 50 Woman in AI, recognized by Chambers USA as a leading lawyer, and honored by The Hill as a Top Lobbyist, Elizabeth brings more than two decades of experience to navigating complex legal and policy challenges.

Elizabeth is a nationally recognized leader in AI law, policy and governance, delivering transformative results at the intersection of technology and societal impact. As co-founder and Outside General Counsel of the AI Trust Foundation—a groundbreaking initiative with California State Senator Jerry McNerney—Elizabeth works with industry, policymakers and academia to advance AI standards which align innovation with societal values. Elizabeth bridges technology, law and public good to drive policy solutions in Washington, DC, and her home state of California. Clients describe her as a “fantastic attorney who is proactive, knowledgeable, and makes things happen.”

Representative Experience

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Technology: Leads multistakeholder policy and regulatory efforts to promote the beneficial development of AI across industries through education, outreach and advocacy.
  • Infrastructure and Appropriations: Directs federal appropriations efforts that have secured more than $100 million in funding for infrastructure priorities and emerging tech R&D.
  • International Trade and Tariffs: Represents U.S. manufacturers before Congress, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), securing more than $25 million in Section 301 tariff relief.

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  • Energy and the Environment: Represents leading renewable and clean tech companies before Congress, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy and the White House Office of Environmental Quality (CEQ) to accelerate Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approvals.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Represented foreign investors before USDA to achieve compliance with the Agricultural and Foreign Investment Act and avoid $10 million+ penalty.
  • Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility: Advisor on best practices in corporate governance to reduce legal, political and regulatory risks, including best practices for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) and the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
  • Government Investigations: Defends U.S. and foreign companies in all stages of congressional investigations, including responses to inquiries and witness preparation for public hearings.

Professional Highlights

  • Named to The Hill’s annual list of Top Lobbyists (2022 – 2023)
  • Chambers USA, Government: Government Relations—National (2006 – 2024)
  • The Legal 500 U.S., Government Relations (2017 – 2022)

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  • Practice group awarded gold award for “Best USA Law Firm: Regulatory & Public Procurement” from International Legal Alliance Summit
  • 45 Under 45, The American Lawyer (2011)
  • Deal of the Year, Total Terminals transaction—Recognized, Asian Counsel (2007)
  • “Congressional Oversight and Investigations: What to Expect and How to Prepare,” Pillsbury University 2022 CLE Marathons, Northern Virginia, September 22, 2022. Presenter.
  • External Publications
    • Financial Services Under the Biden Administration: Part II, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Matthew McGuire, 02/19/2021
    • The Economic and Regulatory Outlook for U.S. Offshore Wind, Pratt's Energy Law Report, Authors: Robert A. James, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Andrew McCoy, Andrew D. Weissman, Bryan M. Stockton, 06/01/2019
  • Firm Publications
    • Congress Contemplates Creating a New Federal AI Regulatory Agency, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, William E. Fork, James W. McPhillips, Benjamin J. Cote, Brian E. Finch, Amaris Trozzo, 05/26/2023
    • Outlook on AI and Civil Rights Law and Policy, Authors: The Honorable Gregory H. Laughlin, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Craig J. Saperstein, The Honorable William Lacy Clay Jr., Yvette Puckett Cravins, Amaris Trozzo, 05/25/2023
    • Congressional Action on AI Takes Major Step Forward, Authors: The Honorable Gregory H. Laughlin, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Brian E. Finch, The Honorable William Lacy Clay Jr., Yvette Puckett Cravins, Amaris Trozzo, 05/04/2023
    • Follow the Money: AI Winners in President Biden’s FY 2024 Budget Request, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Brian E. Finch, The Honorable William Lacy Clay Jr., Yvette Puckett Cravins, Laura G. Killalea, Amaris Trozzo, 04/28/2023
    • Application Windows Opening for New Federal Funding, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Aimee P. Ghosh, 03/31/2023
    • Efforts to Regulate Plastic Pollution Likely to Increase in 2023, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Sidney L. Fowler, Emily Huang, Anne Idsal Austin, 01/17/2023
    • Congressional and Government Investigations in 2023: What to Expect from the New Congress, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, David Oliwenstein, Patrick Hovakimian, Lauren N. Smith, Johnna Purcell, Richard P. Donoghue, 11/18/2022
    • The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA): An Anniversary Report, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Aimee P. Ghosh, Lee G. Petro, Johnna Purcell, 11/16/2022
    • Historic Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Passes Senate, Awaits House Approval, Authors: Sheila McCafferty Harvey, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Elina Teplinsky, Aimee P. Ghosh, Sidney L. Fowler, Johnna Purcell, 08/12/2022
    • General Services Administration Information Request Foreshadows Potentially Significant Rulemaking on Single-Use Plastic Packaging, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Sidney L. Fowler, Emily Huang, Anne Idsal Austin, 08/04/2022
    • Senate Democrats Announce Breakthrough Bill on Energy, Climate, Tax Reform and Prescription Drug Pricing, Authors: Sheila McCafferty Harvey, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Elina Teplinsky, Aimee P. Ghosh, Sidney L. Fowler, 07/29/2022
    • Historic $280 Billion Investment in Domestic Semiconductor Manufacturing and STEM Research and Development to Be Signed into Law, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Aimee P. Ghosh, Johnna Purcell, Gurpreet S. Bal, 07/29/2022
    • Opportunities Abound After House Passes $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Craig J. Saperstein, Benjamin J. Cote, Moushami P. Joshi, Aimee P. Ghosh, Johnna Purcell, Johnna Purcell, 11/08/2021
    • Hydrogen Highlights in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, Authors: Sheila McCafferty Harvey, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Elina Teplinsky, Moushami P. Joshi, Mona E. Dajani (Unpublished), Meghan Claire Hammond, 08/31/2021
    • Senate Passes $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Package, Tees up $3.5 Trillion Budget Reconciliation Bill, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Craig J. Saperstein, Aimee P. Ghosh, Rose Fowler Lapp (Unpublished), Meghan Claire Hammond, 08/12/2021
    • American Jobs Plan Proposes $2 Trillion in Infrastructure Spending, Authors: Sheila McCafferty Harvey, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Craig J. Saperstein, Aimee P. Ghosh, Matthew Oresman, Rose Fowler Lapp (Unpublished), 04/19/2021
    • Congress Passes $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Package, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Craig J. Saperstein, Brian E. Finch, Aimee P. Ghosh, Matthew Oresman, Rose Fowler Lapp (Unpublished), Zachary M. Kessler, Alexander B. Ginsberg, 03/11/2021
    • Financial Services Under the Biden Administration: Part I, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Matthew McGuire, 02/08/2021
    • Biden’s Climate Blitz, Authors: Sheila McCafferty Harvey, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Sidney L. Fowler, Meghan Claire Hammond, 01/29/2021
    • Congressional and Government Investigations in 2021: What to Expect from the Biden-Harris Administration and How to Prepare, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Craig J. Saperstein, Katherine T. Danial, Nicole Steinberg, David Oliwenstein, 01/27/2021
    • President Biden’s “American Rescue Plan,” Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Craig J. Saperstein, Amanda G. Halter, Matthew Oresman, Zachary C. Rozen, 01/20/2021
    • The Return of the Congressional Review Act, Authors: Sheila McCafferty Harvey, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Meghan Claire Hammond, 01/19/2021
    • Bipartisan Breakthrough: Congress Passes and President Trump Signs $900 Billion Stimulus, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Craig J. Saperstein, Aimee P. Ghosh, Matthew Oresman, Nicole Steinberg, 12/30/2020
    • Preparing for 2021: How President-Elect Biden Can Govern by Executive Power, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Craig J. Saperstein, Aimee P. Ghosh, Matthew Oresman, Zachary M. Kessler, Stephanie T. Rosenberg, 12/22/2020
    • Biden Clean Energy Plan—an Ambitious Climate Agenda Arrives, Authors: Sheila McCafferty Harvey, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Zachary M. Kessler, Meghan Claire Hammond, 12/18/2020
    • The Election Is Over—Now What? Understanding the Biden Administration’s Policy Priorities, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Emily B. Erlingsson, Craig J. Saperstein, Brian E. Finch, Matthew Oresman, 11/09/2020
    • Trump vs. Biden: Technology and the Internet, Authors: Roxane A. Polidora, Deborah S. Thoren-Peden, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Craig J. Saperstein, Brian E. Finch, Aimee P. Ghosh, Matthew Oresman, Lee G. Petro, 11/02/2020
    • 2020 Election Night Guide, Authors: Frederick K. Lowell (Unpublished), The Honorable Gregory H. Laughlin, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Emily B. Erlingsson, Craig J. Saperstein, Brian E. Finch, Aimee P. Ghosh, Matthew Oresman, Nicole Steinberg, Bridget C. Scharn, Cassie Lentchner, Zachary M. Kessler, Stephanie T. Rosenberg, Anita D. Stearns Mayo, 10/30/2020
    • Trump vs. Biden: An International Trade Briefing, Authors: Stephan E. Becker, Nancy A. Fischer, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Matthew Oresman, Stephanie T. Rosenberg, 10/29/2020
    • Trump vs. Biden: A Foreign Policy Brief, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Matthew Oresman, 10/28/2020
    • Prohibited Campaign Contributions Threaten to Put Corporate Donors Behind Bars, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Emily B. Erlingsson, William M. Sullivan, Jr., Nicole Steinberg, Richard Deutsch, 10/21/2020
    • Trump vs. Biden: What Could Be Next for the Energy Transition?, Authors: Sheila McCafferty Harvey, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Amanda G. Halter, Matthew Oresman, 10/21/2020
    • Understanding the New $60 Billion U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Matthew Oresman, Joel M. Simon, Shellka Arora-Cox, Zachary M. Kessler, 08/17/2020
    • CARES Act Funding Begins to Reach Cities and Counties, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Craig J. Saperstein, Zachary M. Kessler, Stephanie T. Rosenberg, 06/26/2020
    • SBA Issues Critical New Guidance on PPP Borrowers’ Certification of Necessity, Authors: John E. Jensen, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Matthew Oresman, David B. Dixon, Alexander B. Ginsberg, 05/13/2020
    • Congress, Department of Justice Turn Their Attention to Oversight of COVID-19 Stimulus Funds, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Craig J. Saperstein, Matthew Oresman, Cassie Lentchner, Zachary M. Kessler, 05/08/2020
    • Federal Reserve Expands Scope and Eligibility for Main Street Lending Program, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Matthew Oresman, Mediha M. Ali, Joel M. Simon, 05/01/2020
    • La Reserva Federal amplía el alcance y la elegibilidad para el Programa de Préstamos de Main Street, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Matthew Oresman, Mediha M. Ali, Joel M. Simon, 1 de mayo de 2020
    • COVID-19 Relief and Beyond: New Compliance Challenges, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Aimee P. Ghosh, Jenny Y. Liu, Juan Pablo Cordon, Cassie Lentchner, Cecilia C. Wang, 04/28/2020
    • S. Subsidiaries of Foreign Companies Can Also Benefit from the CARES Act, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Matthew Oresman, Henrietta Worthington, 04/27/2020
    • President Trump Signs 4th Stimulus Bill, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Matthew Oresman, Alton L. Hare, Alexander B. Ginsberg, 04/24/2020
    • Treasury and Fed Launch $600 Billion Main Street Lending Program, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Aimee P. Ghosh, Matthew Oresman, Joel M. Simon, 04/09/2020
    • The Treasury Loan Window Is Opening: Are You Ready?, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Matthew Oresman, 04/07/2020
    • New $500 Billion Treasury Loan Programs Under the CARES Act Provide COVID-19 Relief for Private Sector Business, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Matthew Oresman, Joel M. Simon, Alexander B. Ginsberg, 03/30/2020
    • COVID 19: Analysis of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Authors: The Honorable Gregory H. Laughlin, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Craig J. Saperstein, Brian E. Finch, Aimee P. Ghosh, Matthew Oresman, Zachary M. Kessler, Stephanie T. Rosenberg, 03/26/2020
    • COVID-19 Emergency Funding and Tax Relief: Assessing Federal Opportunities, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Matthew Oresman, 03/11/2020
    • New Era of Aggressive Oversight Expected from House Democrats, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Craig J. Saperstein, 11/20/2018
    • Pillsbury’s Post-Election Outlook, Authors: Deborah S. Thoren-Peden, Stephan E. Becker, The Honorable Gregory H. Laughlin, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Emily B. Erlingsson, Craig J. Saperstein, Gerry Hinkley (Unpublished), Brian E. Finch, Aimee P. Ghosh, Jeffrey S. Merrifield, Matthew Oresman, Charles F. Donley II, Edward W. Sauer, Laura Jennings Ochoa, Meghan Claire Hammond, 11/07/2018
    • 2018 Election Night Guide, Authors: Frederick K. Lowell (Unpublished), The Honorable Gregory H. Laughlin, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Emily B. Erlingsson, Craig J. Saperstein, Brian E. Finch, Aimee P. Ghosh, Matthew Oresman, Bridget Scharn, Anita D. Stearns Mayo, 11/02/2018
    • The Trump Energy Agenda, Authors: Sheila McCafferty Harvey, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Jeffrey S. Merrifield, 02/01/2017
    • PHH v. CFPB, Part II: CFPB's RESPA Duplicate Fail, Authors: Rodney R. Peck, Christine A. Scheuneman (Unpublished), Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Craig J. Saperstein, Andrew Caplan, Michael J. Halloran, Nathalie Prescott, Mercedes K. Tunstall, 11/21/2016
    • Post-Election Outlook: A New, Unpredictable World, Authors: Christopher J. McNevin, Christopher R. Wall, John E. Jensen, Sheila McCafferty Harvey, Alvin Dunn, Julia E. Judish, Glenn S. Richards, The Honorable Gregory H. Laughlin, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Emily B. Erlingsson, Craig J. Saperstein, Gerry Hinkley (Unpublished), Aaron R. Hutman, Brian E. Finch, Aimee P. Ghosh, Matthew Oresman, Andrew Caplan, Michael R. Rizzo, Graham G. Wisner, John Scalia, Nancy Fischer, Mercedes K. Tunstall, 11/10/2016
    • PHH v. CFPB, Part I: President of Consumer Finance No More, Authors: Christine A. Scheuneman (Unpublished), Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Craig J. Saperstein, Andrew Caplan, Michael J. Halloran, Mercedes K. Tunstall, 10/19/2016
    • Following a Regulatory Trend, CFTC Inches Towards Cybersecurity Testing Requirements, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Brian E. Finch, Andrew Caplan, 11/23/2015
    • Senate Passes Cybersecurity Information Sharing Bill Long Sought by Industry, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Craig J. Saperstein, Brian E. Finch, Christopher K. Leuchten, 11/10/2015
    • Unusual Bipartisanship Makes New Free Trade Agreements More Likely, Authors: Stephan E. Becker, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, 04/29/2015
    • S. Sanctions Legislation Targets Russia While EU and U.S. Expand Crimea Sanctions, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Stephan E. Becker, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Stephanie J. Rohrer, Nancy A. Fischer, 12/22/2014
    • Elizabeth Moeller Discusses Crisis Strategy Planning in Government Investigations, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, 04/18/2014
    • Pillsbury Partner Elizabeth Moeller on a New Wave of Investment in Water Policy, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, 04/15/2014
    • Pillsbury Publishes Go-To 2012 Election Guide, Authors: Frederick K. Lowell (Unpublished), The Honorable Gregory H. Laughlin, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Emily B. Erlingsson, Craig J. Saperstein, Kathryn E. Donovan, Anita Epstein, Anita D. Stearns Mayo, 11/02/2012
    • Recess Appointment of Cordray Enabled CFPB Action, but Will It Pass Legal Muster?, Authors: Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Craig J. Saperstein, Joseph T. Lynyak, III, Deborah S. Thoren-Peden, 02/09/2012

Education

  • J.D., University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law, 1996

    B.A., University of California, Berkeley, 1992
    with highest honors, Phi Beta Kappa

Admissions

  • District of Columbia

    California

Elizabeth's Insights

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