0-5 years

Sara Elizabeth Burnham brings a thorough knowledge of government as well as an extensive network of contacts to The Bloom Group thanks to relationships forged and maintained over decades of living and working in Montgomery and her family's deep roots in the capital city. She also has longstanding relationships from her time working on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.

Her years of experience working in real estate give her a broad perspective on the area's business climate and a track record of success listening to, advocating for and representing the best interests of a diverse range of clients.

Key Experience
Staff Assistant for Senator Jeff Sessions
Staff Assistant at The Dutko Group
Staff Assistant for the U.S. Senate Republican Cloakroom
Active REALTOR with Bell and Corwin, Inc.

Key Areas of Expertise
Proven networking abilities
Strong work ethic

Professional & Community Affiliations
Alabama Dance Theatre Development Committee Member
Past YMCA Britton Board of Directors Member
Family Promise Center Volunteer

Education
BA in Political Science (Minors in Public Relations and English), The University of Alabama

6-10 years

RWL is the go-to firm when businesses and individuals have a complex legal problem, with a team of attorneys that thrive on pursuing the most challenging cases on behalf of its clients. Our attorneys have represented scores of clients, including: major-league sports franchises; name-brand companies such as Google, Uber, Facebook and FedEx; whistleblowers in false claims cases; and millions of consumers in national class action suits.

With offices located in Baltimore, the state capital of Annapolis and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Rifkin Weiner Livingston LLC (RWL) provides an important link to Maryland's principal business, commercial and government centers.

John C. "JR" Reith is the Chief Operating Officer at Rifkin Weiner Livingston LLC. He also a Registered Lobbyist in the firm's extensive Government Relations and Lobbying practice. He served as Finance Director for all three of former Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.'s gubernatorial campaigns and was co-chairman of his campaign committees. Mr. Reith served on the Inaugural Committee for Governor Larry Hogan, and has been active in the National Republican Party since 1996. In 2016, Mr. Reith served as the co-chairman for the Inaugural Committee for Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh. He currently sits on the board of directors for The Canton Group, ThinkBig Networks, and on the alumni board for the Boys' Latin School of Maryland. Previously, Mr. Reith served as an advisor for Compass Marketing, Inc. and as an advisor for Brown Advisory in Baltimore. He is also a former board member of the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House and the GBMC Philanthropy Committee board of directors.

6-10 years

The Daily Record's 40 Under 40 VIP List (2021)

Maryland Rising Star - Legislative & Governmental Affairs (2021)

Maryland Rising Star - Legislative & Governmental Affairs (2020)

Maryland Matters List of "Winners" from the Legislative Session (2019)

Maryland State Baseball Coaches Association CRCBL Executive of the Year (2018)

RWL is the go-to firm for businesses and individuals with complex matters in need of resolution. With a team of attorneys that thrive on pursuing the most challenging cases, lobbying matters and procurements on behalf of its clients, our attorneys have represented scores of clients, including: major-league sports franchises; name-brand companies such as Google, Uber, Facebook and FedEx; whistleblowers in false claims cases; and millions of consumers in national class action suits.

With offices located in Baltimore, the state capital of Annapolis and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Rifkin Weiner Livingston LLC (RWL) provides an important link to Maryland's principal business, commercial and government centers.

Bradley Rifkin co-chairs RWL's Government Relations and Lobbying practice.

Bradley effectively advocates for a diverse group of clients with complicated and nuanced issues before the Maryland General Assembly, local county jurisdictions and state agencies. Mr. Rifkin works closely with clients to develop strategic plans to meet long-term and short-term goals and he helps execute those plans through effective stakeholder networking, preparation of supplemental documentation, oral testimony on behalf of the client and high stakes negotiation. In his practice, he has a history of delivering impactful results for clients in a fast-paced environment.

Bradley has successfully represented clients with a wide array of statutory, regulatory, funding and procurement interests in the areas of alcoholic beverage manufacturing, casino-gaming, franchise law, innovative technology, insurance, medical cannabis, non-profit organizations, satellite radio, telecommunications, and transportation.

Prior to joining the firm Bradley attended Brown University where he majored in Political Science and graduated in 2009 (with honors from that Department). He then attended the University of Maryland School of Law and graduated in 2013.

Since 2013, Bradley has served as President of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League in his spare time.

20+ years

As the founding principal of The Bloom Group, Hal Bloom brings our clients more than 25 years of experience in politics, with an in-depth understanding of the legislative process as well as the inner workings of state agencies. His leadership and the qualified team he's assembled ensure that clients always get professional services that yield real results. A seasoned and respected veteran in his field, Hal was chosen as one of the top lobbyists by The Montgomery Advertiser (1999).

Key Areas of Expertise
Insider knowledge of the legislative process
Political coalition building
Public and governmental finance
Strategizing for and managing political campaigns

Key Professional Experience
Key legislative strategist, executive assistant and chief of staff to a two-term Speaker of the House
Senior governmental affairs officer, public finance officer and investment banker supervisor for major statewide bank
Investment banker for top Southeast investment firm

Key Issue Areas
Environmental, particularly solid waste disposal and clean water
Municipal bond issues
Government funding
Banking, investments and finance
Commercial leasing
Industrial relations and labor
Prevailing wage
State budget and taxation - business and municipal
Federal grants

Professional & Community Affiliations/Honors
Member, Alabama Alliance of Business and Industry
Legislative Liaison, League of Municipalities Committee on State and Federal Legislation
Chairman of Advisory Board, Baptist Medical Center-East
Former Board Member, Alabama Industry and Manufacturers Association
Former Board Member, Alabama-Guatemala Partners of the Americas
Consultant, State Tax Reform Study Commission
Who's Who in the South and Southwest
Who's Who in Executives and Professionals
Strathmore's Who's Who
Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International
Past President, Montgomery Rotary Club
Member, President's Cabinet, The University of Alabama
Member, Board of Visitors, The University of Alabama Honors College
Chairman, Board of Directors, The University of West Alabama Foundation
Alumni Achievement Award, University of West Alabama
Member, The Society of the Golden Key, University of West Alabama
Member, Board of Trustees, University of West Alabama

Education
B.S., Business and Commerce, University of West Alabama
Registered Representative, NASD/New York Stock Exchange
Graduate, Chamber of Commerce Executive Institute, University of Georgia

20+ years

Former staff counsel to Maryland Senate Budget and Taxation Committee handling matters related to state & local taxes, retirement, and agency budgets

Experienced lobbyist on health care delivery systems, health insurance, and health occupations, including managed care, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, dental plans, and pharmaceuticals

Team leader on multi-firm effort to preserve the Preakness Stakes in Maryland and to enact a statutory framework for a nearly $400 million capital redevelopment effort for Maryland's racetracks

Counsel for automotive industries including new automobile dealers and rental car agencies

Lead lobbyist on legislation to authorize transportation network companies

Experienced gaming lobbyist representing lottery, casino, racetrack, and sports wagering interests

Procurement counsel assisting entities on RFPs, bids and other offers of goods, services, and construction to state & local governments

Counsels clients on state and local ethics laws, gift laws, campaign contribution compliance, election laws, and lobbying rules

Fiscal Analyst, Department of Fiscal Services (1988)
Committee Staff, Maryland Senate Budget & Taxation Committee (1989 - 1990)

Michael V. Johansen is the Administrative Partner at Rifkin Weiner Livingston LLC and the Chair of the firm's Administrative Law and Regulatory Compliance practice. Mike has nearly 30 years of experience in lobbying and legal matters before the General Assembly, executive agencies, and local/municipal governments in the state of Maryland. As a registered lobbyist, he has represented clients in the areas of healthcare, healthcare financing, health reform, health certificate of need (CON), casino gaming, lottery, horse racing, transportation, motor vehicles, rental cars, insurance, state and local taxes, franchises, business regulation, IT - information technology, environmental regulation, procurement, state contracting, bid protests, and acquisition of public funds for private programs and projects. Mike also advises clients on state and local ethics laws, gift laws, campaign contribution compliance, election laws and lobbying rules.

Prior to joining the firm, Mike was legislative staff to the Maryland General Assembly, the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee, and the Department of Fiscal Services. He is a member of the board of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Maryland Chapter and a board member of the Indian Creek School.

6-10 years

Track Record of Success
Ms. Jones consistently delivers results for clients passing legislation and seeking funding in each of the three budgets. Through her work during the last seven legislative sessions, Ms. Jones has served in both lead and supporting roles to pass and defeat legislation. Outlined below are just a few of her public policy achievements from the last two biennia:

* Passed legislation to authorize the extension of wastewater services beyond the urban growth boundary for partnerships between cities and tribes.
* Passed legislation to require repeat speeding offenders to participate in a program to stop dangerous, habitual speeding.
* Passed legislation to authorize transit agencies to produce, use and sell to the public green electrolytic hydrogen.
* Amended legislation to hold bus operators harmless for firearms enforcement on buses.
* Successfully amended legislation considered harmful to health care clients.
* Passed legislation to strengthen the workforce and education pipeline for certified registered nurse anesthetists.
* Passed legislation to strengthen communication between public employers and the Paid Family & Medical Leave program.
* Developed multiple coalitions comprised of public, private, non-profit and individual advocates to support state legislation.

Below are her most recent budgetary achievements over 2024 and 2025 legislative sessions, where she served as the lead lobbyist:
* $2 million in capital budget funding for a health sciences building at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU, 2025 session).
* $400,000 in capital budget funding for La Center's downtown expansion (La Center, 2025 session).
* $500,000 in capital budget funding for transit-oriented, workforce housing in Lynden, WA (Whatcom Transportation Authority, 2025 session).
* $1.3 million in transportation budget funding for transit signal prioritization (Pierce Transit, 2024 session).
* $1 million in transportation budget funding for the Pacific Highway Shared Use Path (City of La Center, 2024 session).
* $250,000 in capital budget funding for community center upgrades (City of La Center, 2024 session).

Hanna has established relationships with legislative leadership, key policy staff within Governor Ferguson's office, and committee chairs across the Washington State Legislature. She has established relationships with legislative leadership, key policy staff within Governor Ferguson's office, and committee chairs across the Washington State Legislature. She also regularly interacts with - and maintains strong working relationships with - staff at the Department of Revenue, Health Care Authority, Department of Health, Department of Ecology, Department of Transportation, and the Washington State Transportation Commission.

Hanna Jones has nearly a decade of experience as a state lobbyist, representing clients to the Washington State Legislature, Governor's Office and executive agencies. She is registered as a lobbyist with the PDC. Ms. Jones represents clients with a wide range of issues, including water, local government, health care, higher education, technology and budget appropriations. This background means she has relationships with many legislators and with both partisan and non-partisan staff. Throughout her tenure at the firm, Ms. Jones has represented numerous public, private and non-profit clients, including associations. This means that she is adept at meeting client needs regardless of the organizational structure and is accustomed to providing varying levels of service depending on the needs of the client.

Ms. Jones has demonstrated a successful track record in assisting firm clients with development and execution of legislative strategy at each step in the process, including, but not limited to stakeholder outreach, policy research, legislative agenda development, and execution of legislative strategy during each session. Evidence of Ms. Jones' diligent approach to lobbying is exemplified through successfully securing millions in legislative budget appropriations for her clients, and in executing creative public policy solutions to achieve client objectives.

Ms. Jones holds a master's degree in public administration from Seattle University, a bachelor's degree in political science from Gonzaga University, and resides in Seattle with her husband.

6-10 years

Professional & Community Affiliations/Honors
Legislator of the Year, American Cancer Society
State Volunteer of the Year, American Cancer Society
Recipient of the prestigious Wes Nowlin Award, American Cancer Society highest award is given to a volunteer in the state of Alabama
Public Servant of the Year, Alabama Kidney Association
Member, Manufacture Alabama Governmental Affairs Committee

20+ years