Dave Stewart is a senior advisor* in the firm's Governmental Affairs and Economic Development practice groups. He joined Bradley more than a decade ago to expand the firm’s state governmental affairs practice. He represents clients before the executive and legislative branches of government in Alabama and has consistently been named one of Alabama’s “most powerful and influential political leaders” by Yellowhammer Multimedia.

Dave helps his clients — which range from small businesses based in Alabama to Fortune 500 companies — navigate Alabama state and local government. He maintains strong working relationships with public officials throughout the state and has deep experiential knowledge of government processes. Dave represents numerous clients on matters related to appropriations, banking, construction, economic development, healthcare, real estate, procurement, taxation, technology, and transportation, among others.

Before joining Bradley, Dave was chief of staff to former Alabama Gov. Bob Riley (2003-2011). As chief of staff for over four years, Dave was the governor’s top advisor who was also responsible for the general management of the governor’s staff and cabinet. Prior to being named chief of staff in 2006, he served as senior advisor to the governor where he was responsible for the development and implementation of the governor’s policy initiatives as well as legislative affairs. Dave joined the Riley administration as policy director in 2003.

As a senior official in the Riley administration for eight years, Dave worked closely with the governor, the Alabama Department of Commerce, and local economic developers to lead the state through one of the most successful economic development periods in the state’s history. During that period, Alabama was named “State of the Year” for industrial recruitment five times in six years by Southern Business and Development magazine, and the Alabama Development Office (now the Department of Commerce) was twice ranked as the best in the United States for superior economic development efforts. He played a key role in landing a number of mega projects and major expansions during his time in office. Dave has also been instrumental in the passage and implementation of most of Alabama’s primary economic development incentive programs.

Prior to returning to politics in 2002, Dave worked as director of business development for an e-commerce company in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was responsible for business development strategy and implementation. He moved to Atlanta from Denver, Colorado, where he helped launch an internet startup targeting the building materials industry. He also lived in Houston, Texas, where he worked in energy banking. Before business school, Dave worked in Washington, D.C. for two members of Congress.

Dave graduated from the University of Alabama where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Business of Administration.

*Dave Stewart is not an attorney 

Education

• University of Alabama, M.B.A., 1999
• University of Alabama, B.S., 1995