RALEIGH (Aug. 2, 2012) –  Four Nelson Mullins Government Relations attorneys are among the most influential lobbyists in North Carolina, according to the rankings released by the N.C. Center for Public Policy Research.  

The rankings, released bi-annually by the Center, are based on results from the 2011-12 survey of all NC legislators, registered lobbyists and capital news media. At the time surveyed, there were 798 lobbyists registered with the N.C. Secretary of State. Nelson Mullins is the only firm with four attorneys ranked in the top 40.

Partner Joe Lanier (ranked 15^th) began lobbying in North Carolina in 2009 after spending more than a decade in Washington, D.C. both in the private and public sectors. In addition to representing clients before U.S. Congress, Mr. Lanier previously served as legal counsel to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), then-Assistant Majority Leader, as well as legislative director and chief legislative counsel to former U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms (R-NC). Mr. Lanier represents clients before the N.C. General Assembly including Fortune 500 companies, healthcare companies, nonprofit organizations, and associations.

Former N.C. Sen. Zeb Alley (ranked 24^th) has a storied career in N.C. state government and more than 25 years of lobbying experience in the state. Mr. Alley in previous years earned the first place ranking eight consecutive times. After his tenure in the Senate, Mr. Alley served as legislative council for Gov. Jim Hunt and has served on community boards and commissions including the N.C. Courts Commission (commissioner), State Capitol Foundation Board of Directors (chairman), UNC Chapel Hill Board of Visitors, and the N.C. Board of Alcohol Beverage Control. Mr. Alley is a U.S. Army veteran and purple heart recipient.

With more than 25 years of experience representing clients before the N.C. General Assembly, partner George Teague (ranked 34^th) has institutional knowledge of N.C. government. He has been recognized in the ranking since 2009. Mr. Teague's experience includes insurance and regulatory matters, mortgage banking, and general business policy. Mr. Teague serves as chairman on the UNC Wilmington Board of Trustees, is a member of the Wake Education Partnership Board of Trustees, the N.C. Safe Kids Advisory Board, and is a former president of the Friends of the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences.

Partner Chip Killian (ranked 38^th) focuses on lobbying and government relations as well as in the commercial real property area and in local government representation. He has lobbied for clients for more than 20 years, representing business and industry sectors before the N.C. General Assembly. Mr. Killian has served as the Haywood County attorney for more than 40 years and additionally has held leadership positions, including chairman, of the N.C. Bar Association Real Property Section. He is certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a Specialist in Real Property Law, Residential, Business, Commercial and Industrial Transactions.

Established in 1897, Nelson Mullins has more than 430 attorneys and government relations professionals with offices in Atlanta, Boston, Nashville, Tallahassee, West Virginia, Washington, D.C., and throughout the Carolinas. For more information on the Firm, go to www.nelsonmullins.com, or call 803.255.9794.

Any result a lawyer or a law firm may achieve on behalf of one client in one matter does not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients. Please contact a lawyer to discuss possible representation of you and your particular matter.