Hon. Alexander P. "Sandy" Sands, III

The Hon. Alexander “Sandy” Sands is a partner and member of the firm’s Government Relations practice in Raleigh. Mr. Sands was first elected to the North Carolina Senate in 1986 where he served with distinction through 1994, rising to the position of Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate. In 1994 Senator Sands was rated as the fourth most effective member of the North Carolina Senate. During his tenure, he developed an excellent working relationship with the other members of the North Carolina General Assembly, where he was highly respected by his colleagues.

The Hon. Alexander “Sandy” Sands is a partner and member of the firm’s Government Relations practice in Raleigh. Mr. Sands was first elected to the North Carolina Senate in 1986 where he served with distinction through 1994, rising to the position of Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate. In 1994 Senator Sands was rated as the fourth most effective member of the North Carolina Senate. During his tenure, he developed an excellent working relationship with the other members of the North Carolina General Assembly, where he was highly respected by his colleagues.

He served on many legislative committees, including both Appropriations and Finance. He also chaired the Committees on Local Government and Regional Affairs and Judiciary. He was appointed as an initial member of the North Carolina Health Care Commission, where he served through December 1994.

Mr. Sands was voted to the N.C. Center for Public Policy Research list of “The 50 Most Influential Lobbyists” and for the past ten years has been ranked in the top ten and is currently ranked third. He has also been named to Best Lawyers in America listing since 2007. By combining legal expertise with litigation and legislative experience, he has been able to assist many clients with legislative and regulatory solutions to their problems where judicial approaches alone were insufficient.

Mr. Sands also regularly works with the North Carolina Governor’s office, Department of Commerce, Department of Revenue and the legislature to procure economic incentive packages for clients. Projects he has worked on include the relocation of global headquarters, establishment and expansion of major manufacturing facilities and establishment of large distribution centers and hubs.

Mr. Sands received his undergraduate degree from Duke University. He received his law degree, with honors, from the University of North Carolina where he served on the Board of Editors of the North Carolina Law Review.