Atlanta, GA – Former general counsel of the Atlanta Regional Commission Brittany Zwald has joined Parker Poe's Atlanta office. With more than a decade of experience advising regional governments and navigating complex intergovernmental dynamics, Brittany will help clients achieve their goals in state government relations, land use and zoning, eminent domain, education, and government contracts and procurement.
Prior to joining Parker Poe, Brittany was the first general counsel of the Atlanta Regional Commission, where she built and led the agency’s legal department and centralized procurement team. In that role, she embedded compliance and governance into executive strategy for a $105 million annual budget and partnered closely with government affairs staff to review legislation and assess impacts on an 11-county region. She also advised on intergovernmental agreements and oversaw high-profile initiatives involving zoning, governance, and regional litigation risks. Additionally, she directed implementation of the commission's first automated e-procurement and contract management system, strengthening transparency and efficiency across departments.
"We are thrilled that Brittany is joining our team," said Bruce Thompson, who leads the firm's Government & Public Policy Group. "Her knowledge and experience in state and local government, infrastructure, and economic development will be of great value to our clients. Brittany will help us grow our government and public policy practice through the State of Georgia and the Southeast."
"Brittany brings deep knowledge in all levels of local, state, and federal government procurement and contracting with respect to land use, transportation management, and public-private partnerships," said Atlanta Office Development Partner Ellen Smith. "I'm excited to see how her government and public policy practice complements the many ways we serve clients across industries."
"I'm delighted to join Parker Poe and continue doing what I love most: helping public agencies navigate contracts, procurement, and complex federal and state grant requirements so important projects actually get built," Brittany said. "After more than a decade in public-sector advising, transitioning into firm-based private practice feels like the right next step, and I couldn't be more excited to collaborate with colleagues who share a practical, client-first mindset. I’m looking forward to serving governments and communities across the region and helping turn big plans into real-world results."
Brittany's title at Parker Poe will be counsel. Her background includes extensive experience with federal and state funding compliance, procurement standards, and policy development, as well as complementary expertise in land use and environmental law. Her work has spanned advising boards and executives on fiduciary duties, negotiating agreements, and supporting regional projects such as electrification plans and federal grant applications. She brings a unique perspective from her early roles in community development and environmental accountability, which informs her counsel on zoning, entitlements, and regulatory compliance.
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Businesses and local governments turn to Parker Poe to structure transactions, navigate regulations, and resolve disputes. Founded in 1884, the Southeast business law firm today has approximately 300 attorneys across offices in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Washington, DC.
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