John Bel Edwards Elected to Fishman Haygood Board of Directors

Fishman Haygood is pleased to announce that Partner John Bel Edwards was elected by the partnership to the firm’s Board of Directors on March 12, 2026. He joins Board Chairman Jim Swanson, Maureen Gershanik, Charles Landry, and Lori Mince — who also serves as the firm’s General Counsel — on the five-person board.

John Bel served as Louisiana’s 56th Governor from 2016 to 2024, guiding the state through historic natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a sweeping policy agenda that included Medicaid expansion, coastal restoration, criminal justice reform, and an all-of-the-above energy strategy that embraced both traditional and renewable sources. Before entering public life, he was a practicing attorney in Amite, Louisiana, and served eight years in the Louisiana House of Representatives. He remains active in national and regional energy policy through his service on the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Energy Advisory Council and the GNO Energy Alliance.

“John Bel’s experience in leadership and governance are exactly the qualities this board calls for,” said Board Chairman Jim Swanson. “He brings a rare combination of legal depth, policy knowledge, and executive judgment that will help us steward the decisions, investments, and direction that define the firm’s future. We’re proud to have him at the table.”

John Bel’s election to the board comes at a meaningful moment. As Fishman Haygood approaches its 30th anniversary, the firm remains focused on strengthening the collective and ensuring its best work still lies ahead.