Michael D Smith

Mr. Smith brings more than a decade of experience in the development, implementation and management of campaign strategies in the fields of government relations and political affairs. Currently he advises a broad array of non-profit, corporate and tribal entities on a host of issues before the federal government including housing, health care, energy, transportation, technology, tax and trade matters. He has designed and implemented strategies to secure millions of dollars in federal appropriations for municipal, non-profit, tribal and corporate clients. Prior to joining Cornerstone Government Affairs, Mr. Smith spent three years as a partner in the Governmental Affairs section of a leading International law firm where he focused his lobbying efforts on legislative, executive agency and regulatory issues. Mr. Smith has extensive experience and remains heavily involved in Democratic politics at the local, state and federal levels. In 2004, DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe appointed Mr. Smith to the Credentials Committee of the Democratic National Convention. Previously, he served as the Midwest Political Director for the Gore 2000 and Gore-Lieberman 2000 campaigns. In this position, he coordinated the campaign’s efforts in 8 states, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois, in the battleground area of the Midwest. In 1996, Mr. Smith served as a liaison between the White House, campaign staff and local, state and federal officials as a member of the National Advance Staff for the Clinton-Gore re-election campaign. He continues to provide both substantive policy counsel and strategic political advice to a broad range of elected officials, candidates and staff at every level of government. Mr. Smith maintains a solid, nationwide network of Democratic officials and operatives and provides clients with unique perspectives on the effectiveness of strategic planning, legislative campaigns and political activity. Mr. Smith earned a law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1996, after graduating cum laude from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. in Government & International Relations in 1993.