Tracy Lawless, government affairs counselor in the Pittsburgh and Harrisburg offices of K&L Gates, has been appointed to the Transition Advisory Committee for Health and Human Services assembled by Pennsylvania Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Austin Davis. 

Lawless will serve the health care section of the Committee for Health and Human Services, one of seven transition advisory committees created to advise the incoming administration on key issues across the Commonwealth. This committee—comprised of Pennsylvania doctors, nurses, other medical and health care professionals, public health advocates, and educators—will provide guidance to support statewide access to affordable and equitable medical care, including bolstering resources for substance abuse treatment, elder care services, and child welfare systems. 

“I’m honored to be selected and to serve on the Shapiro-Davis Transition Advisory Committee for Health and Human Services,” Lawless said. “I’m looking forward to using my years of policy experience in the Medicaid managed care, long term care, pharmaceutical, and opioid treatment provider industries to make meaningful and impactful contributions that assist the new administration in accomplishing their policy goals in the health care sector throughout the Commonwealth.”

Lawless served on the Health Policy Committee for the Biden-Harris 2020 transition. Within the Pennsylvania community, she holds several leadership and board positions, including her roles on the boards of women-centered Democratic organization Emerge Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh’s Downtown Community Development Corporation, in addition to supporting the United Way of Allegheny County’s Women’s Leadership Council. 

In 2021, Lawless was named to the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics’ “Top Lobbyist” list, distinguishing industry leaders who achieved legislative, innovative, community, and charitable successes throughout the year. Individuals recognized on this list are nominated by clients, congressional staff, colleagues, or members of Congress.