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I currently represent 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. Additionally, I advise clients on state and local ethics laws, election laws and lobbying rules.

I previously served as the former staff counsel to the Maryland Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and the Department of Fiscal Services.

My clients range from the CBAC Gaming (Horseshoe Casino Baltimore), Education Affiliates/Fortis College, Enterprise/Alamo/National Rental Cars, Maryland Physicians Care MCO, and Washington Area New Auto Dealers Association.

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)

  • RWL's government relations group consistently ranks among Maryland's top lobbyists for good reason. Their team approach, in-depth understanding of their clients' interests, relationships at all levels of government and superb strategies are second to none. - Joseph De Francis, Former President and CEO, Maryland Jockey Club
  • 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.

    Tim Schellberg is the Founder and President of Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs, an internationally known governmental affairs and government business market development firm. In addition to serving as the firm's managing partner, Tim maintains an active governmental affairs and market development practice, and provides strategic direction to the firm's four primary divisions: International, Multi-State, Federal, and Washington State. Under Tim's leadership, the firm has had impressive growth and success.

    Tim is recognized nationally and internationally for his work to create and grow new markets by collaborating with business and government to implement dynamic public policy and technology based solutions. Tim has used over 25 years of professional experience, worldwide contacts and knowledge of global government institutions to actively lead legislative based projects in over 30 countries and within the United States.

    Lobbying since 1977, Bill Pewitt has developed key relationships throughout his career with not only legislators and staff but also those in the lobby whose subject matter expertise is often critical to the success of his client's endeavors. Whether through technical policy proficiency or knowing how to find the best advocates of a client's particular interests within the government, Bill has the familiarity with the legislative process that can best facilitate a client's needs.

    AT BILL PEWITT & ASSOCIATES WE SPEAK THE LANGUAGE OF BOTH THE CLIENT AND THE LEGISLATURE. WE ARE THE INTERPRETERS WHO BRING UNDERSTANDING TO BOTH SIDES AND TRANSLATE OPPORTUNITY INTO ACTION AND SUCCESS.

    STRATEGY
    Our firm knows state and local government in Texas. We have dealt with lawmakers and executives for 35 years guiding our clients through the governmental process to achieve their goals. Paramount is selecting the best path to success for our clients, whether that is choosing strategic alignments with other players or bringing other resources to bear. We determine clear goals and put together the winning team of resources to reach that goal.

    ADVOCACY
    We have worked with dozens of clients both as lead lobbyist or as part of a team. We can lead, follow or get out of the way. Our firm has adapted to meet whatever circumstances the situation calls for. Monitoring the legislative process and connecting with the correct decision makers makes the difference.

    PROCUREMENT
    We have over 30 years experience with technology procurement in the state of Texas, beginning in 1984 with the creation of the Texas Computer Industry Council, the first statewide trade association for the nascent technology industry. Together we bring experience and mature relationships with high level officials, along with growing relationships with state agency division directors and managers who are more hands-on in day to day operations. From these multiple layers of our relationships we develop opportunities for our clients.

    20+ years

    Diana Carlen is a Vice President at Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs (GTH-GA), the state's largest comprehensive governmental affairs firm. GTH-GA is information-driven and non-partisan. Diana represents a broad group of clients before the state legislature, state agencies, and the executive branch.

    6-10 years

    Diana Carlen leads the firm's business and utility practice and has over 20 years of legal and legislative experience. Prior to joining Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs, Diana served as Leadership Counsel to the Senate Republican Caucus. In that role, she also served as the caucus attorney for the following policy issues: energy, natural resources, agriculture, land use, telecommunications and water issues. Prior to working for the Senate, Diana practiced law for several years focusing on land use and environmental issues and also served as a Law Clerk to Chief Justice Gerry Alexander of the Washington State Supreme Court. Diana represents several of the firm's business clients, public utilities, and port clients.

    Josh has over two decades of experience in government relations representing both public and private entities in the legislative and executive branches of Washington State government. Josh is a Vice President at Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs (GTH-GA), the state's largest comprehensive governmental affairs firm. GTH-GA is information-driven and non-partisan.

    20+ years

    Nonpartisan staff for House members during development and passage of Washington's Forests & Fish law.

    Josh has relationships with key legislators, statewide elected officials, agency staff and locally elected officials across the state.

    Prior to joining the GTH-GA team, Josh spent nearly 10 years advocating for counties, serving as the Legislative Relations and Policy Director and General Counsel for the Washington State Association of Counties. Josh started working in Olympia in 1998 as nonpartisan counsel to the House of Representatives and served as Legislative Director for the Department of Fish and Wildlife. As Environmental Policy Director for the Washington Forest Protection Association he represented private forest landowners in the state's environmental regulatory system. He also assisted in Governor Locke's water reform efforts. Josh is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, graduate of Central Washington University and the Vermont Law School, and is a fourth generation Washingtonian. He lives in Olympia with his wife Karen.

    Bradley is an attorney and Co-Chair of RWL's Government Relations Division. He has advocated successfully for a diverse group of clients with complicated and nuanced issues before legislative, regulatory and procurement decision makers. 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.

    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.

  • Brad Rifkin's adept strategy was further bolstered by the firm's team-oriented approach. RWL, a staple in Annapolis' political circle and across the state of Maryland, has helped achieve high profile legislative changes for well over a decade by successfully navigating an intensely difficult environment. - Kevin Atticks, Executive Director - Brewers Association of Maryland, Maryland Wineries Association & Maryland Distillers Guild
  • RWL's government relations group consistently ranks among Maryland's top lobbyists for good reason. Their team approach, in-depth understanding of their clients' interests, relationships at all levels of government and superb strategies are second to none. - Joseph De Francis, Former President and CEO, Maryland Jockey Club
  • 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.

    Chief Operating Office and Registered Lobbyist, J.R. is an experienced business development and government affairs professional with an expertise in bringing people together in Maryland to create business opportunities and to solve political problems.

    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.

    Clients:
    • 410-269-5066

    • 225 Duke of Gloucester StreetAnnapolisMD21401

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    • 410-269-5066

    • 225 Duke of Gloucester StreetAnnapolisMD21401

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    PALMER MCNEAL

    (Ohio)
    • 614-221-0011

    • 5169 Springfield CourtWestervilleOH43081

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