Andrea Cascarilla is a Government Policy Advisor in Dykema’s Lansing office.  She has a well-earned reputation as an effective policy and appropriations professional and is highly respected in Capitol circles.  With more than 30 years of legislative and lobbying experience in Michigan, Andrea has worked in nearly every policy and budget area but specializes in early childhood, K-12 and higher education, healthcare, local government, economic development, procurement, professional licensing, transportation, environment, water and clean energy matters.

Prior to joining Dykema, Andrea was the Senior Legislative Director at Acuitas LLC where she lobbied for several years.  In this role, Andrea was responsible for managing various clients and played a significant role in several successful appropriations efforts, from healthcare and education to infrastructure and economic development. She was recognized by state legislators for her work on PA 96 of 2019—a law that ensures Michigan’s licensed professional counselors can continue to provide treatment to hundreds of thousands of residents in need.

During her tenure in the Michigan legislature, Andrea served as the Chief of Staff for Senator Hoon-Yung Hopgood and for Senator and Representative Ray Basham as well as the Legislative Director for Representative Greg Pitoniak.   She has extensive experience in legislative analysis and drafting.  In the Michigan Senate, Andrea played a direct role in the passage of three of Gongwer News Service’s top ten most significant laws enacted that decade, including Michigan’s workplace smoking ban.

Named in the Crain’s Detroit Business “50 Names to Know in Lobbying”, Andrea’s highly successful advocacy efforts have also been recognized by the American Mental Health Counselors Association with its 2020 President’s Award and with the Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association’s 2019 Advocacy Award.

Andrea earned her bachelor’s degree in Economics with an emphasis in public finance from Michigan State University.  Re-elected to the Delta Township Board of Trustees in 2020, Andrea has also been appointed to the Eaton County Land Bank Authority Board and serves as the Vice-President of the Cristo Rey Community Center Board. 

Education
Michigan State University, B.A.