By Jamie Martin
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins congratulated Tyler Clarkson on his confirmation as General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Clarkson’s confirmation comes after an accomplished career in agriculture law, regulatory reform, and legal policy.
Clarkson previously served as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Ginkgo Bioworks, a company at the forefront of genetic engineering. This role allowed him to contribute to innovations in agriculture while ensuring regulatory compliance—a key aspect of USDA’s work.
Clarkson has held several important roles within USDA, including Deputy General Counsel, Principal Deputy General Counsel, and Acting General Counsel. His experience with USDA’s legal and regulatory processes has equipped him to effectively guide the department’s legal framework. Additionally, Clarkson served as a Counselor to the Administrator at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), focusing on regulatory enforcement reform.
His legal expertise is not limited to U.S. agricultural law. Clarkson also worked as an associate at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, where he specialized in cross-border legal matters. This international experience further enhances his ability to manage complex legal issues that impact agriculture both domestically and globally.
Clarkson attended both college and law school at the University of Virginia, where he developed his passion for legal policy and agriculture. His education and experience make him a well-suited leader for USDA’s legal team.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National