Brandon Smith is the managing partner of Holtzman Vogel’s Nashville office and co-chair of the firm’s State Attorneys General Practice, where he advises clients on high-stakes litigation, government investigations, political and regulatory strategy, board governance, and crisis management. Known for navigating complex legal and political challenges, Brandon brings a rare combination of executive leadership, litigation strategy, and policy expertise to matters with significant legal, corporate, and reputational risk.

Over the course of his career, Brandon has served at the highest levels of state government and conservative legal advocacy, helping shape high-profile litigation, public policy initiatives, and multistate strategic efforts across the country. He has advised elected officials, corporate leaders, advocacy organizations, and boards on matters involving constitutional law, regulatory enforcement, public affairs, crisis management, and institutional risk.

Prior to joining the firm, Brandon served as Chief of Staff and Assistant Solicitor General for the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office, where he led complex litigation and coordinated national multistate initiatives. Earlier in his career, Brandon served as Executive Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs for Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin and as Policy Director to Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, where he helped advance major legislative, regulatory, and budget initiatives. Brandon has also held leadership roles within the broader conservative legal movement, including service with the Federalist Society and as an adjunct professor at American University.

His career has positioned him as a trusted advisor in consequential matters where legal, political, regulatory, and reputational considerations intersect.

Clerkship/Government Experience
  • Office of the Tennessee Attorney General, Chief of Staff and Assistant Solicitor General & Director of Policy and Federalism
  • Office of Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin - Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Executive Director for Office of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs
  • Office of Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, Policy Director
  • Shawnee County, Kansas District Attorney’s Office - Law Clerk
  • Board Chair, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Tennessee State Advisory Committee (2025-Present)
  • Tennessee Bar Association (2019-Present)
  • Blackstone Legal Fellowship (2009-Present)
  • Christian Legal Society Member (2008-Present)
  • Federalist Society Member, Executive Committee Member-Federalism Practice Group (2008-Present)
  • Tennessee Bar Association Leadership Law (Emerging Leaders Program) (2021-2022)
  • The United States-Spain Council Young Leaders Program (2020-2022)
  • Nashville Bar Association, Nashville Bar Journal Executive Committee Member (2020-2021)
  • Atlantic Initiative, United States-Germany Transatlantic Fellowship (2017-2019)
  • Christian Legal Aid of the District of Columbia: Clinic Director, Fundraising Chair, Member of the Board of Directors (2012-2015)

Related Practice Areas
  • The George Washington University Law School, LL.M., National Security and U.S. Foreign Relations Law
  • University of Kansas School of Law, J.D.
  • Abilene Christian University, B.A., with honors, Political Science
  • Kansas Bar
  • Tennessee Bar
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
  • U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and Sixth Circuits
Brandon Smith, Holtzman Vogel