Joseph H. Lanier is a partner in Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough's Raleigh office, where he is a member of the Firm's government relations team. Mr. Lanier has broad, substantive public and private sector experience in numerous high profile policy matters, including communications, energy, financial services, appropriations, agriculture, and international trade issues. During the course of his legal career, he has represented a wide range of private, municipal, association, and nonprofit clients. 

During his public sector career, he served as legal counsel to then-U.S. Senate Assistant Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), where his legislative duties included responsibility for communications, financial services, transportation and judiciary issues. He also counseled Sen. McConnell on ethics compliance and legal matters related to the senator's official duties.  Mr. Lanier also served as legislative director and legislative counsel for former U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms (R-NC), where he assumed responsibility for all areas of domestic policy, with a particular focus on financial services, international trade and agriculture.

He earned his Juris Doctor in 1996 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1992 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.