20+ years

Designated by peers as one of the most effective lobbyists in North Carolina

Recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine

Recognized in Best Lawyers in America in the area of government
relations practice, and as Lawyer of the Year in government relations practice in Raleigh

Selected by the American Registry as the top 1% of America's Most Honored Lawyers for 2020

To be provided upon specific request

Former North Carolina State Senator Alexander "Sandy" Sands is the leader of the firm's Public Policy and Governmental Affairs Group in Raleigh. He is a Registered Lobbyist. He represents businesses and individuals who have matters before both the legislative and executive branches of government in North Carolina. He's proven himself to be quite effective. When the North Carolina Center for Public Policy surveyed members of the General Assembly and lobbyists in 2009, researchers found Sands to be the 3rd most influential lobbyist in the Tarheel state.

Sandy has used his many years as a litigator in state and federal trial and appellate courts to develop his advocacy skills, which he now uses effectively for his clients in his lobbying and administrative law practice. He served as a North Carolina State Senator from 1986 until 1994. During that service he rose to the position of Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate.

FRANK D. BOSTON, III has more than 22 years experience representing individuals and small and large companies in the Maryland legislature and in courts throughout the state. He received his law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he was a recipient of the James May Scholarship, the Chief Justice of the law school's honor court, a member of the Moot Court Board, teacher's assistant, and an American Jurisprudence awardee.

Prior to launching his own firm, Mr. Boston served as a law clerk with Whiteford, Taylor, and Preston and with the Felony Trial Division of Baltimore's Office of the Public Defender, and he worked in public affairs and government relations in both Annapolis and Baltimore.

Mr. Boston earned his undergraduate B.S. degree from Bucknell University, where he was not only a four-year varsity letterman in lacrosse and junior varsity basketball, but also a member of the Dean's List and the student his classmates elected to deliver their Senior Commencement Speech. Frank also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.

Before becoming an attorney, Mr. Boston worked for several years as a retail bond trader on Wall Street. During those years, Mr. Boston honed his analytical and quantitative skills as he assembled complex information in a position that demanded that he think and react quickly — all under pressure and with poise. Today those skills serve him well in both the courtroom and the Legislature.

An active member of the community, Mr. Boston has served on the Boards of Directors of The Dyslexia Tutoring Program and the Children's Chorus of Maryland and Learning, Inc. He is a former member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of The Park School, his alma mater, and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Baltimore's public radio station, WYPR. He is also a board member of the Baltimore Animal Rescue Shelter (BARCS).

DAVID A. SMITH is a partner in the Princeton Public Affairs Group, is a veteran of the public affairs arena and has successfully managed public affairs campaigns impacting auto insurance, life insurance, tort reform and environmental legislative initiatives. Mr. Smith received national acclaim when he was honored with a ""Pollie Award"" by the American Association of Political Consultants and named to their United States ""Public Affairs Team of the Year." Mr. Smith was also named one of the most influential players in New Jersey's Healthcare arena by the Annual HealthSense Listing. Since 2005, Mr. Smith has been a Commissioner on the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission (nominated by the Governor for two separate four year terms and confirmed by the NJ Senate) and currently serves as an Officer on the Commission (Secretary). Mr. Smith serves on the National Board of Directors of the Public Affairs Council, and was one of the few contract lobbyists in the Country to be appointed to a National Task Force charged with creating ethical standard for lobbyists throughout the United States. Mr. Smith is a founder and member of the Board of Directors of ProtectingAmerica.org, an advocacy organization Co-chaired by James Lee Witt, former Cabinet member under President Clinton and Admiral James Loy, Deputy Director of Homeland Security under President Bush. Mr. Smith also serves as an Officer (1st Vice President) of the New Jersey Hall of Fame Foundation Board of Directors and also serves on the Executive Committee (Secretary) of The Advocacy Group (TAG). Finally, Mr. Smith serves on the Board of Directors as an officer (Treasurer) of the State Capitol Insurance Company RRG, the first professional liability company for lobbyists headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mr. Smith has appeared on television and radio stations representing clients' interests, authored dozens of articles on politics/policy issues in New Jersey and is a frequent guest speaker/lecturer at national and state conferences, legislative hearings, meetings and seminars. He has been a consultant to statewide and legislative political campaigns and is a member of the Executive Finance Committee of the Assembly Democratic Leadership Committee as well as the New Jersey State Democratic Committee. Prior to joining the firm in 1995, Mr. Smith served as Director of Policy and Planning for the New Jersey General Assembly Democratic Office. In that capacity, Mr. Smith supervised the partisan staff of all Assembly Committees and Task Forces while serving as senior staff aide to the insurance and commerce legislative committees. He was a Director with the New Jersey Dental Association from 1985 to 1990 and served on several national and state health care and insurance advisory committees.

Mr. Smith was awarded a Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS) Degree from the Richard D. Irwin Graduate School of The American College. He is a Graduate Fellow of the Public Affairs Institute, a three year educational program of the Public Affairs Council located in Washington, DC. Mr. Smith also graduated with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Political Science from Gettysburg College.

Ross Barnhardt's years of experience allow him to offer clients a superior understanding of State Government and help them navigate legislative and executive agency solutions to their particular goals. After graduating from North Carolina State University with a degree in political science, Ross spent several years working in the North Carolina Senate. Working for a Senior Appropriations Chairman, Ross has assisted businesses both big and small to secure State funding and desired legislative outcomes. Ross was a lead staffer in Senate leadership for the State Budget process, regulatory reform, economic development, tort reform, and agriculture policy.

Ross has helped clients meet their goals through lobbying for legislative action at the General Assembly, building legislative strategies and coalitions, and interacting with executive agencies. He has the skills and relationships to present his clients, their needs, and their messaging in front of the correct decision makers. Ross has represented clients involved in the areas of economic development, healthcare, technology, engineering, transportation, education, public safety, finance, local government, entertainment, agriculture, food and beverage, and broad industry associations.

When Ross is not at the legislature, he enjoys saltwater fishing, weight lifting, and home improvement projects.

Mr. Slovin has received numerous professional honors and recognitions including recognition as one of the "Best Lawyers in Hawaii" by Honolulu Magazine in the area of government relations. He has also been listed in Hawaii Super Lawyers and has been recognized by Chambers USA for his work in government relations and land use issues. Mr. Slovin has also received the Martindale-Hubbell AV rating. In 2011, Mr. Slovin was honored by the Hawaii State Bar Association with the Ki'e Ki'e award for his pro bono work.

Gary M. Slovin joined the firm as counsel in August 2012. Prior to joining Ashford & Wriston, Mr. Slovin was a partner and former managing partner with one of Hawaii's largest law firms. He is currently admitted to practice law in Hawaii and Pennsylvania

Land Use Matters: Successfully coordinated development efforts for a large retail chain located on the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui and Kauai; represented a developer in Hawaii in a contested case before the Honolulu Zoning Board of Appeals that resulted in a store being allowed to operate in the Bougainville Industrial district; represented a leeward side landowner in major litigation before the Hawaii State Commission on Water Resource Management regarding allocation of water that has historically flowed through the Waiahole Ditch System

Lobbying: Has successfully represented numerous business interests before the Hawaii State Legislature. Examples include passage of a licensing statute for the Hawaii Dietetic Association, general excise tax reform on behalf of the Direct Sellers Association, a workplace exemption on behalf of Covanta Energy Corporation, an excise tax exemption on behalf of McDonald's Corporation and franchise legislation on behalf of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers

Governmental Relations: Established legislative, governmental and public relations strategy for the operators of the H-Power Facility, the waste-to-energy facility in Honolulu that disposes of nearly all of Oahu's solid waste and converts it to electrical energy

Ms. Ito has been the recipient of numerous professional recognitions. In 2008, she was a recipient of the Pacific Business News Forty under 40 award. In 2011, Ms. Ito received the Stars of Hope award from the Hata Foundation and the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii. She also received in 2011 the Hawaii Justice Foundation Spirit of Pro Bono Award, as well as the Hawaii State Bar Association's Ki'e ki'e award, for her pro bono work with the Hawaii Access to Justice Commission and the Hawaii Consortium of Legal Service Providers to obtain much needed additional funding for indigent legal services in Hawaii.

11-15 years

1st Vice President, Maryland Government Relations Association

Former General Counsel, Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation

Former General Counsel, Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce

Pounds is an accomplished attorney and lobbyist with sixteen years of legal experience and served as General Counsel for government, quasi-government entities, boards & commissions, and businesses. After seven years in Prince George's as a senior campaign and transition staff member, an associate county attorney, and then General Counsel to the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation, Pounds served six years as a partner and senior counsel in two prominent Maryland law firms. He represents clients in municipal and cannabis law, alcoholic beverage licensing; land use and zoning; business transactions, and government relations. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech, and received his Juris Doctor, with honors, at the University of Baltimore School of Law. Pounds is active in his community and serves on several boards, including the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce and the Maryland Government Relations Association. He lives in Bowie with his wife and two children.