Elizabeth L. Branch (“Lisa”)

Elizabeth L. Branch (“Lisa”) is a Partner in the Litigation Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP with experience in business and commercial litigation at the trial and appellate court levels in the both the state and federal court systems.

Her governmental affairs practice includes homeland security issues and regulatory advocacy, compliance and enforcement matters. Ms. Branch also represents clients before various state and federal agencies, in matters including investigations and adverse rulings.

Ms. Branch often speaks at conferences on regulatory and homeland security issues and is the co-author of “Managing the Regulatory State: The Experience of the Bush Administration,” 33 Fordham Urb. L.J. 953 (May 2006). She serves as the 2010-2011 Co-Chair of the Homeland Security and National Defense Committee of the Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice of the American Bar Association.

From 2004-2008, Ms. Branch served as a senior official in the George W. Bush Administration, first at the Department of Homeland Security and then at the Office of Management and Budget in the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. She worked extensively with federal regulations affecting many industries, including air, rail, trucking, shipping, chemical, food, pharmaceutical, health care, education and agriculture. Ms. Branch assists clients with navigating the complex federal regulatory process as well as compliance issues.

From 1994-1996, Ms. Branch served as a judicial clerk to Judge J. Owen Forrester of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

A native of Georgia, Ms. Branch graduated, cum laude, with a B.A. in English in 1990 from Davidson College. In 1994, she received her J.D. with distinction from Emory University School of Law. Ms. Branch was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1994.

Speaking Engagements

“Homeland Security 2011: Regulatory and Legislative Developments,” Sixth Annual Homeland Security Law Institute, American Bar Association, Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice, Washington, D.C., March 2-3, 2011, Program Vice Chair and Moderator.

“Protecting Your Company: Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Restricted Party Screening, and the SAFETY Act,” Quarterly Meeting of the Financial Executives International’s Committee on Corporate Reporting, September 23, 2010, Dallas, TX, Speaker.

“Regulatory Developments for 2010,” Fifth Annual Homeland Security Law Institute, American Bar Association, Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice, Washington, D.C., March 3-4, 2010, Program Vice Chair and Moderator.

“Chemical Facility Legislation: Past, Present & Future,” General Counsels’ Resource Committee, American Forest & Paper Association, Washington, D.C., September 3, 2009, Speaker.

“Regulatory Developments for 2009,” Fourth Annual Homeland Security Law Institute, American Bar Association, Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice, Washington, D.C., February 26, 2009, Program Vice Chair and Moderator.

2008 Consortium MBA Seminar for Strategic Leadership on Business and the Public Policy Process, The Washington Campus, Washington, D.C., “Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs: Implementing Federal Regulation,” March 13, 2008, Guest Lecturer.

“Regulatory Developments for 2008,” Third Annual Homeland Security Law Institute, American Bar Association, Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice, Washington, D.C., January 17, 2008, Moderator.

Regulatory Clinic, George Mason University School of Law, Washington, D.C., “Introduction to Regulatory Analysis in the Public Interest,” January 22, 2008, Guest Lecturer.

Perspectives on Regulation Seminar, George Mason University School of Law, Washington, D.C., “The Mission and Function of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,” October 23, 2007, Guest Lecturer.

“Regulatory Developments for 2007,” Second Annual Homeland Security Law Institute, American Bar Association, Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice, Washington, D.C., January 18, 2007, Moderator.

“Looking Back, Moving Forward: The Future of the Regulatory State,” Fordham Urban Law Journal Symposium on The Contemporary Regulatory State, New York, New York, February 23, 2006, Panelist.

“Homeland Security 101: Regulations,” First Annual Homeland Security Law Institute, American Bar Association, Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice, Washington, D.C., January 20, 2006, Panelist.