Our Team
Sandy Sands
sandy@apsandslaw.com
(919) 921-8123
Former North Carolina State Senator Alexander P. “Sandy” Sands is the Founder of Sands Law. He has focused the majority of his time for the past 25 years on representing clients in the arena of Public Policy and Government Relations, including as a Registered Lobbyist. He has honed his skills as an advocate through a career as a litigator, having tried over a hundred cases to verdict. He served as an attorney for taxpayers resulting in the largest recovery in tax refund cases. Throughout the years, Sandy has proven himself to be quite effective as an advocate for his clients.
Sandy served four terms in the Senate, serving on the Appropriations and Finance Committees, as well as chairing the Committee of Rules and Operations of the Senate, Judiciary Committee, and Local Government Committee. He was responsible for many pieces of enacted legislation, including introducing pre-trial mediation to the State.
Sandy is well respected by his peers. The North Carolina Center for Public Policy, based on surveys of legislators, lobbyists, and members of the press found him to be one of the most effective Members of the Senate, then one of the most effective Lobbyists in North Carolina, after he began that career. Sandy has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America in the field of Government Relations since 2007, and was named by them as Lawyer of the Year in Raleigh in the field of Government Relations for 2021. He is peer rated by Martindale-Hubble AV for the Highest Level of Professional Excellence. In 2020, he was awarded America’s Most Honored Lawyers by the American Registry. He was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
He graduated from Duke University with an A.B. in Political Science, and received a J.D., with Honors, from the University of North Carolina School of Law, where he served on the North Carolina Law Review.
Ross Barnhardt
ross@apsandslaw.com
(919) 921-8123
Ross Barnhardt’s years of experience allow him to offer clients a superior understanding of State Government and help them navigate legislative and executive agency solutions to their particular goals. After graduating from North Carolina State University with a degree in political science, Ross spent several years working in the North Carolina Senate. Working for a Senior Appropriations Chairman, Ross has assisted businesses both big and small to secure State funding and desired legislative outcomes. Ross was a lead staffer in Senate leadership for the State Budget process, regulatory reform, economic development, tort reform, and agriculture policy.
Ross has helped clients meet their goals through lobbying for legislative action at the General Assembly, building legislative strategies and coalitions, and interacting with executive agencies. He has the skills and relationships to present his clients, their needs, and their messaging in front of the correct decision makers. Ross has represented clients involved in the areas of economic development, healthcare, technology, engineering, transportation, education, public safety, finance, local government, entertainment, agriculture, food and beverage, and broad industry associations.
When Ross is not at the legislature, he enjoys saltwater fishing, weight lifting, and home improvement projects.
(Not a licensed attorney)