Lucien Smith Named One of the 50 Most Influential People in Mississippi by the Magnolia Tribune

Balch & Bingham is pleased to announce that Lucien Smith, partner in the firm’s Jackson office and member of the Government Relations Practice, has been named to the Mississippi Top 50 list by the Magnolia Tribune. This is Lucien’s second year on the list, which recognizes people who are judged to be the most influential leaders in the state.

The Mississippi Top 50 list is bipartisan and includes elected and appointed officials, economic development professionals, business leaders, media members and government affairs professionals.  

A former chief of staff and senior advisor to two Mississippi Governors, Lucien assists clients in achieving legislative and executive policy goals, overcoming regulatory obstacles, and partnering with government, for clients in a broad range of industries.  

Mississippi Top 50’s announcement stated, “He routinely appears before state regulatory agencies and is widely considered one of the more effective, if most subtle, operators at the Mississippi Legislature, where he is seldom seen but routinely felt on behalf of his clients.”

As part of Lucien’s work for Governor Phil Bryant, he oversaw the development and passage of the 2013 education reform legislation that instituted Mississippi’s third grade reading gate.  

Additionally, Lucien served as Chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party until 2020. As Chairman, he broke party fundraising records, reduced party spending on non-campaign operations, and built a successful get-out-the vote operation.

Lucien was previously named a Top 50 under 40 by the Mississippi Business Journal.