Husch Blackwell Strategies (HBS) welcomes Lisa K. Smith as a Principal with its Maryland government relations team in Annapolis, MD. With over fifteen years of legislative and budget victories, Lisa has earned widespread respect as a skilled problem solver and relationship builder. She joins HBS following her position as Director of Legislative Affairs and Assistant General Counsel for the Maryland Public Service Commission, which regulates gas, electric, telephone, water, and sewage disposal companies, and for-hire transportation.

HBS Chairman Andy Blunt said, “Lisa’s grasp of complex issues on the state, federal, and local levels is impressive, and it is no surprise she is the person people turn to get things done. Her level of expertise and success is what our clients have come to expect in all our ten offices across the country. We look forward to having her on the team.”

Lisa earlier served as Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs for the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City and as Director of Legislation for the Maryland Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention, where she was detailed to the Governor’s Office of Legal Counsel. She was not only instrumental to budget matters, but she successfully advocated for countless legislative and regulatory efforts relating to priorities including regulation on firearms, criminal justice, behavioral health, social services, housing, among others.

HBS Maryland Managing Principal Sarah Peters added, “Lisa’s skill set is not only diverse but unmatched in Annapolis. Her multidisciplinary expertise and relationships, will bring exceptional knowledge and guidance to the vast interests of our clients.”

Lisa is a licensed attorney in New York and Maryland with courtroom prosecution experience. She holds a gubernatorial appointment to the Maryland State Board of Victim Services and is fluent in Spanish and French.

HBS is a trusted national brand for federal and state lobbying. With one of the largest networks of state lobbyists in the country, the firm has capital offices in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin, and a prominent federal practice in Washington, DC.