Ms. Laxalt formed The Laxalt Corporation in 1984 and has represented prominent clients whose business interests include international trade, labor law, intellectual property law, oil and gas, federal taxes, tort reform, regulation of tobacco and other important issues that come before the legislative and executive branches of government. In her role as a government relations consultant, Ms. Laxalt offers clients strategic advice on how to navigate the sometimes treacherous waters of the national government. She was associated with the United Shareholders Association (USA), founded by businessman T. Boone Pickens 1986, which advocated for greater corporate accountability through increased shareholder activism. Indeed, USA addressed issues relating to corporate responsibility that were otherwise or largely ignored until the recent corporate scandals erupted. Again, in association with Mr. Pickens, Ms. Laxalt helped to shine a bright light on the uneven playing field, which existed between the U.S. and Japanese during the tumultuous years of Japanese acquisitions of American properties. Prior to founding her government relations firm, Ms. Laxalt had a long and distinguished career in government, serving in several key positions in both the executive and legislative branches. Immediately prior to entering the private sector, she served in the Reagan Administration as the Director of Legislation at the Agency for International Development (AID). AID manages a wide variety of U.S. foreign economic and humanitarian assistance programs in approximately 100 countries. Ms. Laxalt also served as the senior legislative liaison officer for the Department of State's Under Secretary for Military and Security Assistance. The Laxalt Corporation does not represent any foreign clients. Ms. Laxalt has extensive experience in the legislative branch as well, having served in key positions in the offices of Senator Ted Stevens, now President Pro Tempore and chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator John Warner, now chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Jake Garn, former Chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, and Sen. James Buckley of New York. Ms. Laxalt was actively involved in the presidential campaigns of former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush I and George Bush II. She maintains a high level of activity with election and re-election campaigns for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and Gubernatorial races throughout the country. Michelle D. Laxalt was born the fourth of six children of Jackalyn and Paul Laxalt. She resides in Alexandria, Virginia with her three children, Adam, Victoria and Tessa.