Georgia Trend named notable Public Policy team members Thurbert Baker, Sharon Gay, Sam Olens and Eric Tanenblatt to its premiere edition of “Georgia 500: The State’s Most Influential Leaders” ranking. The new recognition honors Georgia’s most powerful leaders.

Baker co-leads Dentons' US State Attorney General practice and serves on the US and Global Boards and as Global Vice Chair. Baker previously served as attorney general for the State of Georgia for 13 years under three different governors. He served in Governor Zell Miller’s Administration as the House Floor Leader, sponsoring several pieces of significant legislation, including the HOPE Scholarship, awarded to Georgia residents who attend college in the state and have demonstrated academic achievement.

A pioneer in the use of tax allocation district financing to support community redevelopment in Georgia, Gay was recognized for her legal, civic and charitable work to promote and facilitate economic development, community revitalization and affordable and mixed income housing. Gay has played an instrumental role in key redevelopment projects including Ponce City Market, Atlantic Station and the revitalization of the Centennial Olympic Park district of Downtown Atlanta, among others. Gay is a former managing partner of Dentons’ Atlanta office, and she previously served as deputy chief of staff and executive counsel to the Mayor of Atlanta. Gay is also a former Atlanta mayoral candidate and serves as co-chair of Mayor Andre Dickens’ transition committee.

Twice elected attorney general for Georgia, Olens was recognized for his work throughout the state to strengthen the penalties for and protect the victims of sex trafficking, guide a comprehensive revision of Georgia’s sunshine laws and lead efforts to stem the epidemic of prescription drug abuse. Olens has served in a number of leadership roles, including chair of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, chair of the Atlanta Regional Commission board and vice-chair of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District.

Tanenblatt serves as Dentons’ Global Chair of Public Policy and Regulation as well as on Firm’s US Board. With three decades of experience at the very highest levels of federal and state governments, Tanenblatt has served in the administrations of three US presidents, as senior advisor to late US Senator Paul Coverdell (R-GA) and as chief of staff to Governor Sonny Perdue (R-GA). Tanenblatt has been an influential leader, strategist and agent of change for significant policy impacting Georgia and is a prominent and longtime advocate for civic engagement