Ben joined Smith Garson in 2022 as Senior Counsel. He began his career as a Law and Policy Fellow in Rep. Terri Sewell’s (D-AL) office. After leaving the Hill, Ben was a Legislative Assistant for Charter Communications, where he was responsible for overseeing the company’s state and local lobbying compliance across the country. Immediately prior to joining Smith Garson, Ben ran his own consulting firm and was a senior lobbyist at a boutique lobbying firm in DC.
Named a “Top Lobbyist” in 2024 by the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics, Ben is a respected federal strategist with significant experience in government advocacy. He serves both for-profit, non-profit, and municipal government clients across the country, specializing in transportation & infrastructure, international trade, and appropriations. Drawing on his deep understanding of federal funding mechanisms – including programs at the Department of Transportation, Department of Homeland Security, and Environmental Protection Agency – and his strong relationships in Congress and federal agencies, he effectively advances his clients’ interests across diverse policy areas. With extensive experience drafting and advocating for legislative text, Ben works with congressional offices to advance client priorities through carefully crafted legislation. He has successfully shepherded numerous bills from initial concept to final passage, combining precise legal writing with strategic engagement of key stakeholders.
Ben works closely with clients to develop and implement both short- and long-term policy strategies, providing experienced guidance through the complex appropriations process. Throughout his career, he has helped clients secure nearly $100 million in federal funding through competitive grants, loans, and Congressionally Directed Spending (earmarks). His recent successes include obtaining a $2.5 million earmark for a municipal client’s roadway improvement project in Southern California. Beyond his client advocacy work, Ben oversees the firm’s lobbying compliance program.
Ben is an Alabama native and holds a Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law and a B.A. in Political Science from Birmingham-Southern College. He is a member of both the Alabama Bar and the District of Columbia Bar.
