Caitlin A. Kovalkoski | People

Caitlin joins Arnold & Porter with nearly two decades of government affairs experience. She most recently served in the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) as the Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs for the International Trade Administration and led engagement with elected officials and staff on trade-related matters. She was also a Legislative Specialist in the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs in the Office of the Secretary where she advanced the Department’s legislative agenda, most notably with the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act.

Before joining Commerce, Caitlin served as a Legislative Assistant to Congresswoman Judy Chu where she managed the Congresswoman’s tax and trade efforts as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, in addition to managing financial services, housing, and transportation issues. In this capacity, Caitlin focused on a variety of tax and trade issues, including temporary tax provisions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and strong intellectual property right protections for the American creative economy in free trade agreements.

Prior to public service, Caitlin spent a decade as a government relations professional for three community development financial institutions where she advocated to Congress and federal agencies in support of public policies and federal funding to finance affordable housing and other assets for low-income communities, such as early education centers and public charter schools. Caitlin also spent three years at the American Bankers Association Community Engagement Foundation managing issues related to affordable housing, community development, and vulnerable consumer populations. While at the ABA Foundation, Caitlin established Safe Banking for Seniors, a consumer education campaign aimed at protecting older Americans and their financial caregivers from scams and financial exploitation.

Caitlin was born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania and resides in Washington, D.C. She holds a M.P.P. from George Mason University and a B.S. in Mathematics from Dickinson College. In her free time, Caitlin enjoys cheering for the Washington Spirit, going to brunch and theater with friends, and taking her rescue dog on walks in the National Arboretum.

Focus Areas

Perspectives

May 14, 2025

Treasury Announces Development of Fast-Track Pilot Program to Streamline Foreign Investments From Allies and Partners

Enforcement Edge: Shining Light on Government Enforcement

Credentials

Education

M.P.P., Urban Planning, George Mason University, 2011
B.S., Mathematics, Policy Studies, Dickinson College, 2006

Admissions

*Not admitted to the practice of law

Government & Military Service

Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce (Nov 2022-Jan 2025)
Legislative Specialist, Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce (Feb 2022-Nov 2022)
Legislative Assistant, Office of Congresswoman Judy Chu, U.S. House of Representatives (Oct 2019-Feb 2022)

Activities

Treasurer for the Washington, D.C./Suburban Maryland Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta