Washington, D.C. and Atlanta – March 2026 – Troutman Strategies (Strategies) and Troutman Pepper Locke’s Regulatory Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement (RISE) team announced the addition of three professionals who deepen the firm’s federal, state, and regulatory capabilities: Jason A. Smith with the RISE team in Washington, D.C. and New York, Audra Hill as state affairs coordinator in Georgia, and Brian Mann as a government affairs specialist on the federal team in Washington, D.C.

“These hires reflect our continued investment in top talent at both the state and federal levels,” said Lindsay Austin, principal and head of the Washington, D.C. Strategies office. “Jason, Audra, and Brian bring a rare combination of government, political, and private-sector experience that will further enhance the practical, solutions-oriented advice we provide to clients across the country.”

RISE and Government Investigations: Jason Smith Joins From Senior US Senate Roles

Jason A. Smith is joining Troutman Pepper Locke’s RISE practice team in Washington, D.C. and New York, where he advises companies and organizations facing regulatory investigations and enforcement matters. A former commercial litigator, Smith brings a practical understanding of how regulators and enforcement agencies think about cases and where there is room to shape outcomes before matters escalate.

Smith has served in senior staff roles for prominent U.S. senators, most recently in the office of U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), where he negotiated directly with White House leadership and oversaw legal and oversight strategy across a wide portfolio that includes consumer protection, privacy, technology, health care, and government ethics. Smith will also support Strategies, helping bridge legal exposure and political reality, advising companies and trade associations on federal and state government relations, legislative strategy, and regulatory advocacy. He is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey and holds a law degree from Seton Hall Law School and a bachelor’s degree in modern European history from Brown University.

Georgia State Affairs: Audra Hill Joins as State Affairs Coordinator

Audra Hill has joined the Georgia team as state affairs coordinator, bringing more than two decades of experience supporting executives and high-level public officials across government, advocacy, and corporate sectors. Most recently, she served as director of executive operations for Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, overseeing the governor’s complex schedule, cross-departmental coordination, and day-to-day operations. Hill spent 14 years on Capitol Hill in the U.S. Senate offices of Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Chris Coons (D-DE) and has held key roles in the private sector with Korn Ferry and the American Gaming Association, where she supported C-suite and industry leadership. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia and resides in Atlanta.

Federal Affairs: Brian Mann Strengthens Strategies’ D.C. Presence

Brian Mann has joined Strategies’ Washington, D.C. office as a government affairs specialist, where he supports the federal team on legislative and regulatory matters. In this role, he assists clients in navigating Congress and the executive branch by monitoring policy developments, conducting research and analysis on priority issues, and supporting advocacy and engagement strategies with key policymakers. Mann comes to Strategies from the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. He graduated magna cum laude from West Virginia University and lives in Washington D.C.