Miriam Dant
Miriam Smulevitz Dant is a government affairs professional recognized for her experience and insider’s knowledge of both the public and private sectors.
The Indianapolis Business Journal and Indiana Lawyer named Miriam among the “Influential Women in Indianapolis.” The IBJ also recognized her in its annual listing of the “Forty Under 40” who have demonstrated leadership, initiative and dedication in pursuing their careers before reaching the age of 40.
Nationally, she is listed in the 2007 and 2008 editions of the Best Lawyers in America in the area of Government Relations Law (one of only nine Indiana lawyers to be named, and the only woman lawyer).
Miriam served as former Governor Evan Bayh’s policy advisor for environmental and energy issues from 1993 to 1997, with responsibility for environmental, natural resources, energy and utility legislation, policies and administrative rules. Prior to that position, Miriam was Indiana Securities Commissioner (the youngest securities commissioner in the country at that time), Counsel to the Indiana Secretary of State, and a litigator at the law firm of Baker & Daniels.
Miriam practiced in the government affairs group at Baker & Daniels from 1997 to 2006, becoming a partner in 1998. She represented clients in front of the Indiana legislature and all areas of state and municipal government on issues including environmental regulation and policy, utilities and energy, taxes, transportation, economic development, general business issues and government procurement.
Miriam also has been active in her community and in professional organizations. She currently or recently serves on the boards of the Indianapolis Private Industry Council; Second Helpings, Inc.; Indiana Council for Economic Education; Bureau of Jewish Education; and the Jewish Community Center of Indianapolis. She is on the executive committee of the Indiana Chapter of the National Brownfield Association and chairs the Policy & Legislative Committee. She is a member of the Governmental Affairs Society of Indiana and serves on the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns’ executive, legislative and environmental committees. The late Governor Frank O’Bannon appointed Miriam to the Office of Environmental Adjudication Nominating Commission.
She formed Dant Advocacy, Inc., in 2006, where she provides high-quality government affairs services to private and public sector clients interested in shaping public policy through state legislative, regulatory and policy initiatives.
Services include legislative and executive branch lobbying, government procurement, and regulatory representation.