The University of Mississippi. 1981 J.D., Law

The University of Mississippi. 1978
 B.B.A., Major field of study in Management with an area of emphasis in Accounting

Suzanne Sharpe (Wise) provided the legislative strategy for the 2018 passage of a new Mississippi construction venue statute recently signed into law by Governor Bryant.  Suzanne also successfully guided to passage Mississippi’s new comprehensive set of construction lien laws signed into law by Governor Bryant in 2014, and an amendment of the law in 2015. Suzanne provides legislative consulting and strategy to Sharpe & Wise as Sharpe Solutions, LLC.

Suzanne Sharpe previously had provided the legislative strategy for successful passage of three other Sharpe & Wise drafted construction bills passed by the Mississippi Legislature between 2010 and 2013.

EXPERIENCE:

Consulting for Governor’s Office, Division of Medicaid
 Consulting for various Technology Companies
 Hearing Officer for the Division of Medicaid

1990 to 2006 — in the IHL system

• Served as Assistant Commissioner for Governmental Relations and Legal Affairs
• Served as Chief of Staff (1996 – 2005)
• Served as liaison for the Board Office to the various Mississippi Congressional delegations. Travel to Washington, D.C. on a monthly basis.
• Researched special projects in regard to Student Financial Aid, Privatization, Optional Retirement, the Administrative Procedures Act, and other topics. Presented the logic and reasoning behind proposed legislation before various special interest groups.
• Involved in the Ayers settlement negotiations.
• Assisted in the preparation of the lawsuit in regard to USM’s proposed Gulf Coast expansion on both the Chancery Court level and the Supreme Court level.
• Drafted the legislation for the Optional Retirement Incentive Program.
• Drafted the legislation for the Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Tuition (MPACT) Program.
• Wrote the State Operated Prepaid Tuition Program Advisability and Feasibility Study that was mandated by House Bill 190 of the 1995 session of the Mississippi Legislature.
• Drafted the rules and regulations for the first year of operation of the Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG) and the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG).
• Supervised the privatization of the Mississippi Guarantee Student Loan Agency (MGSLA).
• Updated, reformatted, and revised Board policies.
• Wrote the initial opinion acquiring lump sum authority for the Board office.
• Drafted the Board Ethics Policy.
• Assisted in the drafting of the legislation for the Mississippi University Research Authority.
• Assisted in Ethics issues.
• Assisted in the drafting of the rules and regulations and contracts for State Student Financial Aid Programs which provided for Aservice@ to the State as an alternative to repayment of loans.
• Assisted in the day-to-day administration of the Commissioner’s office.

• As a Special Assistant Attorney General, represented the IHL Board on student financial aid collections and all bond issues related to the MGSLA. Also represented the Board on contract negotiations for the MGSLA. Also wrote opinions and conducted litigation in the areas of federal civil rights laws, including 42 USC 1983 claims, EEOC charges and other areas.
• From 1983 to 1985, Associate with a litigation firm and tried cases in the areas of Workers’ Compensation, labor and employment, asbestos, sexual discrimination / harassment as well as other areas. Duties also included a substantial motion practice in federal court.
• From 1981 to 1983, served as the sole staff attorney assigned to research and write opinions for eight administrative judges.