Ipyana Critton offers our clients a strong background in the field of appropriations and grant funding. Since joining the firm, Ms. Critton has been instrumental in:

• Successfully developing proposals for several of our cultural institution clients after matching their needs and capabilities with potential federal funding opportunities in the annual appropriations bills.
• Identifying federal, corporate and private foundation grant programs for our clients to pursue funding assistance.

Ms. Critton comes to the firm after working in both bodies of Congress and in New York politics. Ms. Critton has strong insight and understanding of the legislative process and procedures of both the United States Senate and House of Representatives. During her tenure on Capitol Hill, Ms. Critton regularly worked on:

• Non-Defense Appropriations Measures
• Authorization legislation related to the Department of Homeland Security’s distribution of federal funds for terrorism threat prevention
• Transportation and Labor Issues

Immediately prior to joining Johnson, Madigan, Peck, Boland & Stewart, Ms. Critton served as the Director of Appropriations for Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and member of Democratic Leadership. In this capacity, she handled all non-defense project requests for the State of New York. This translated into almost 1,000 earmark requests annually, ranging from transportation projects to healthcare facility upgrades to programming support at cultural and educational institutions. Ms. Critton also worked on homeland security issues, predominantly those related to New York State and City grant funding programs.

In addition to her appropriations and funding responsibilities, Ms. Critton advised Senator Schumer with legislative policy matters, including labor, veterans funding, immigration reform, bankruptcy overhaul, telecommunications and other Senate Judiciary Committee issues. Ms. Critton also assisted with the hearing for Attorney General Nomination of Senator John Ashcroft.

Ms. Critton also served in the United States House of Representatives for Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (D-NY), who was then the Chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. As Legislative Assistant, Ms. Critton was responsible for overseeing housing policy, Social Security and Medicare issues and appropriation matters. Representative Lowey is a member of the House Committee on Appropriations.

From 2002-2004, Ms. Critton was the Deputy Finance Director for Senator John R. Edwards’ (D-NC) political action committee, New American Optimists, as well as his Presidential campaign.