Dana E. Simpson

Dana Simpson leads the Regulatory team at Smith Anderson and regularly represents clients before the North Carolina General Assembly and with State agencies.

For over two decades, Dana has served as a trusted advisor to North Carolina businesses, healthcare providers, trade associations and nonprofits. His experience includes assisting clients with legislative and regulatory advocacy, strategic issues management, economic development projects, State ethics laws and campaign finance compliance. During this time, Dana has been consistently rated one of the most influential lobbyists in North Carolina by both the nonpartisan N.C. Center for Public Policy Research and The North State Journal.

Prior to representing clients in the North Carolina public policy process, Dana was part of it himself. Dana began his career working as Special Assistant for Communications and Policy to the Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives.  Dana also served as a member of the North Carolina Rules Review Commission, a role that involved the review and approval of proposed rules from executive branch agencies, boards and commissions.

Recognition

• "North Carolina’s Top Lobbyists," North State Journal (2020-2024)
• Named Number One "Most Influential" Lobbyist in North Carolina, N.C. Center for Public Policy Research
• The Best Lawyers in America®
  • Government Relations Practice (2009-2026)
  • Administrative/Regulatory Law (2022-2026)
• Business North Carolina Legal Elite
• North Carolina Law Review
• Order of the Coif
• Phi Beta Kappa
• Recipient of the Triangle Business Journal's 2012 "40 Under 40" Leadership Award
• Recipient of the Governor's School Foundation's 2017 Jim Hart Award 

Education

• University of North Carolina, J.D., with high honors, 2000
• University of North Carolina, B.A., with highest distinction, 1996

Bar & Court Admissions

• Counsel and Past Chair, Board of Directors, University of North Carolina General Alumni Association
• Vice-Chair, Board of Trustees, St. David’s School
• Past Chair, Board of Directors, University of North Carolina School of Government Foundation (2015-2022)
• Board of Directors, NeighborHealth Center (2020-2025)
• Past Chair, Board of Directors, Alliance Medical Ministry (2007-2016)
• Board of Directors, University of North Carolina School of Law Alumni Association (2016-2018)
• American Health Lawyers Association
• Wake County Bar Association