Dentons has expanded its public policy, litigation and investigations capabilities with the additions of Ben Jarrard in Atlanta and Isabelle De Smedt in Brussels.
Jarrard has joined Dentons US as a senior policy director in the firm’s Regulatory, Public Policy and Government Affairs practice.
He most recently served as chief of staff to Georgia Senate Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte.
Jarrard brings more than a decade of experience across government, public policy, economic development and strategic communications.
During his time with the Georgia Senate, he advised leadership on legislative priorities, stakeholder engagement and communications strategy.
He also helped advance the policy agenda of the Senate Majority Caucus.
Jarrard previously served as chief of staff to former Georgia Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch and managed the congressional campaign of former Senate Majority Leader Mike Dugan.
Before working in the Georgia Senate, Jarrard was executive director of government relations and economic development at the University of North Georgia.
In that role, he served as the university’s chief government affairs strategist and helped secure more than $80 million in state investment for capital projects and workforce development initiatives.
Earlier in his career, Jarrard served in the administration of former Georgia Governor Nathan Deal.
His responsibilities included working as a policy advisor overseeing transportation, economic development and natural resources matters.
At Dentons, Jarrard will work with the firm’s Regulatory, Public Policy and Government Affairs team and its Georgia-based professionals.
The group includes Sam Olens, Thurbert Baker, Stephen Lawson, Megan Mercer, Falak Sabbak and Walker Boothe.
Jarrard’s addition is expected to strengthen Dentons’ ability to help clients engage with policymakers, track legislative and regulatory developments and advance business objectives in Georgia and other markets.
Dentons has also added Isabelle De Smedt as a partner in its Brussels office.
De Smedt joined the firm on July 13, 2026, strengthening its Litigation and Dispute Resolution and Compliance and Investigations practices in Belgium.
She has nearly two decades of experience advising multinational companies on white-collar defense, international investigations, sanctions and export controls.
De Smedt has been a member of the Brussels Bar since 2008.
She began her legal career in corporate law and mergers and acquisitions before transitioning into regulatory compliance and investigations.
Her transactional background continues to inform her work involving compliance due diligence and the assessment of regulatory risks connected with corporate transactions.
De Smedt leads cross-border internal investigations and risk assessments and advises companies on anti-corruption frameworks, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Bribery Act.
She also helps clients address European Union and international sanctions requirements and export control issues.
Her experience includes extensive work with companies in the life sciences and healthcare sectors across the United States, Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.
De Smedt was previously a partner at K&L Gates.
Her addition supports Dentons’ broader effort to expand its white-collar, regulatory compliance and investigations capabilities across Europe.
Dentons said her experience will also create connections between the firm’s litigation, compliance and transactional practices.
The firm’s global Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice includes more than 1,300 lawyers worldwide, including 10 lawyers in Belgium.
Dentons also added partner Joris De Vos in 2025 to lead its Litigation practice in Brussels.
Together, the appointments of Jarrard and De Smedt expand Dentons’ ability to advise clients on government affairs, legislative strategy, investigations, sanctions, anti-corruption matters and regulatory risk across multiple jurisdictions.
KEY QUOTES:
“Ben is widely recognized as a trusted advisor, strategic thinker and effective communicator whose experience spans every level of Georgia government and public policy. From the Governor’s Office to Senate leadership and higher education, he has built a reputation for helping shape policy, advance strategic priorities and bring together diverse stakeholders to achieve results. Ben’s experience at the intersection of government, policy and economic development will further strengthen our public policy platform and help clients navigate an increasingly complex legislative and regulatory environment.”
Eric Tanenblatt, Global Chair of Dentons’ Public Policy and Regulation Practice
“Investigations and regulatory compliance do not stop at national borders. Whether the issues involve corruption, sanctions, export controls or other regulatory risks, clients require coordinated advice across multiple jurisdictions. Dentons’ exceptional global reach and seamless collaboration across offices worldwide were key factors in my decision to join the firm. I look forward to working with colleagues across the globe to help clients navigate increasingly complex cross-border investigations and regulatory challenges.”
Isabelle De Smedt, Partner at Dentons
“Isabelle’s arrival will reinforce our Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice in Belgium as well as our pan-European white collar, compliance and investigations capabilities. Her deep expertise in anti-corruption, sanctions and cross-border investigations will enhance our ability to support clients in navigating increasingly complex regulatory environments.”
Edward Borovikov, Belgium Co-Managing Partner at Dentons
“Her arrival is part of our successful ongoing strategy to grow our Brussels office and strengthen capabilities in key practice areas. In addition to strengthening our Litigation and Compliance and Investigations teams, her background in M&A will create natural synergies with our transactional practices.”
Tom Geudens, Belgium Co-Managing Partner at Dentons
