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.

Matthew has been an advocate for over five years as a registered lobbyist in Maryland at RWL Law and has represented a variety of clients, including trade associations, businesses, non-profits and other entities on tax issues, business regulatory matters, capital budget requests and a variety of other matters. Additional experience includes managing numerous Maryland State and Local political campaigns including time at the Maryland Senate and House Democratic Caucuses and serving as a Senate staffer for the Maryland Senate Majority Leader for several years.

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.

0-5 years

John Harkins' career awards and recognitions include: "The American Legion Department of Connecticut Certificate Award as the 2009 Legislator of the Year", the 2008 Bridgeport Regional Business Council AT&T "Regional Elected Official Award", the 2004 Walter Wright "Community Spirit Award". He was State Chairman and a former Board Member of the American Legislative Exchange Council. He received the Legislator of the Year Award from ALEC in 2006. He was also the First National Chairman of the American City and County Exchange and received the "Innovative Leadership Award" from ACCE in 2016.

I have served over twenty-two years in elected office on the state and local level. I have been able to develop a vast network on both the state and local level on both sides of the aisle after serving 13 years in the statehouse and 8 years as a mayor. I have also remained active in business and with regional chambers of commerce.

John Harkins was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and has been a resident of Connecticut for over 50 years. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from The University of Tulsa in
Oklahoma in 1986. He received his SRA designation from the Appraisal Institute in 1991.

He was the owner of Harkins Appraisal Service, Inc. for over thirty years. Living in Stratford, John Harkins has served his hometown in public office since his election to the Town Council (9th District) in 1995. As Councilman, he was Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee. He also served as Chairman of the Roosevelt Forest Commission.

In 1996 he was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 120th District, comprising central Stratford, beginning his first of seven consecutive terms in the General Assembly in 1997. As a State Representative, his past leadership appointments include serving as the Deputy Minority Leader at Large, House Republican Caucus Chairman, Assistant Minority Leader, and Ranking Member to the Transportation Committee, Select Committee on Aging, and Veterans Affairs Committee.

Serving two four-year terms as Mayor since 2009, Mayor Harkins led Stratford with a steady hand. By focusing on economic development, the town has grown significantly. After decades of inaction, positive progress has been made on Sikorsky Airport and Main Street flooding, the sale and redevelopment of the Army Engine Plant, redevelopment of the Stratford Avenue corridor, Clean up of the Raymark Super Fund Site, and successfully accomplished getting the construction of a full interchange at Exit 33 off of I-95 which has begun in 2020.

A lifelong resident of Stratford, John Harkins has long been active in town affairs and civic groups: (Past President) Stratford Rotary Club, Bridgeport Regional Business Council, SaveStratford.org, and the Raymark Advisory Committee. He also served as co-chairman of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council's Regional Legislative Caucus both as a State Representative and as Mayor, and was past Chairman of the MetroCog. He has recently become a member of the Board of Trustees for The Milford Bank.

He has owned and operated Harkins Real Estate Services and Molter Government Affairs providing clients with lobbying and business development. He is presently affiliated with Rome, Smith, & Lutz Government Relations and is registered as a lobbyist in the State of Connecticut.

6-10 years

I served on the staff of Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman as a senior advisor in 2018 and assisted in her end of term transition out of public office.

Prior to joining Rome Smith & Lutz, Joseph attended Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; majoring in Government and minoring in French. After college, Joseph pursued a law degree at Quinnipiac University School of Law. While attending law school, he worked as a legal intern with Rome Smith & Lutz during the 2013 legislative session. After graduating from law school and passing the Connecticut bar examination in 2014, Joseph joined RSL full-time and has worked with the team for five years except for taking a leave of absence in 2018 to serve in the office of Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman as a Senior Advisor.

Oil & Gas Legislative and Regulatory Policy: Representing several natural gas producers operating within the Marcellus Shale on legislative and regulatory policy matters pending within the PA General Assembly and numerous regulatory agencies with oversight for Marcellus Shale activities.

Competitive Industrial Electric Rates: Assisted large manufacturing clients in enacting legislation permitting large industrial customers to negotiate competitive rates with incumbent electric utilities, paving the way for significant, historic capital investments by those customers
.
Economic Development Incentives: Secured tens of millions of economic incentives for clients seeking to make large capital investment and significantly increase jobs in the Commonwealth, including grants and low interest loans, transportation assistance, rail capital and community development funds.

Business Tax Reform: Successfully led a large coalition of manufacturers and high/bio tech companies to secure dramatic statutory changes in Pennsylvania's Corporate Net Income Tax structure that had penalized companies for increased capital and employee investment in the Commonwealth.

Tax Free Zones: Successfully assisted large manufacturing client with the enactment of legislation creating several state and local tax free zones throughout Pennsylvania to facilitate business expansion and relocation.

Civil Justice Reform: Successfully represented several clients in passing legislation repealing the doctrine of joint & several liability in Pennsylvania.

Procurement Bid Protests: Managed several, successful bid protests on behalf of clients that wanted to pursue a protest without jeopardizing agency relationships.

Health Care: In separate matters, successfully represented several hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry in reversing or mitigating proposed agency recommendations that would have caused significant harm to those clients.

Mr. Gleason joined K&L Gates in 2002. Prior to joining K&L Gates, Mr. Gleason served in Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker's Cabinet as Secretary for Legislative Affairs. In that capacity, he advised the Governor, the Governor's senior staff and fellow cabinet secretaries on legislative, regulatory and policy matters affecting all agencies under the governor's jurisdiction. On his departure from state government, Governor Schweiker had this to say about Mr. Gleason:

"Pete Gleason has been a vital advisor to me, and a trusted liaison with the General Assembly. He helped my Administration win passage of many historic pieces of legislation, including reforms to Pennsylvania's Medical Malpractice and Joint and Several Liability laws, not to mention the 2002-03 Budget – one of the most difficult budgets in Commonwealth history."

From 1997 to 2001, Mr. Gleason had served as deputy secretary for legislative affairs with the office of the governor in Pennsylvania. He worked with former Governor Tom Ridge until his appointment as director of Homeland Security.

During his tenure with the office of the governor, as the Governor's liaison to Pennsylvania General Assembly legislative leaders and committee chairs, Mr. Gleason played an integral role in the enactment of the following legislative initiatives:
The 2002-03 General Fund Budget (in the wake of a structural deficit in excess of $1.4 billion dollars).
All legislative tax policy matters; including several significant amendments to the Public Utility Realty Tax Act (PURTA), changes to the Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT), the phase-out of the Capitol Stock and Franchise Tax (CSFT) and changes to the state Sales Tax.
The creation and expansion of Keystone Opportunity Zones (KOZ), Enhancement Zones (KOEZ) and Improvement Zones (KOIZ).
Historic reforms to Pennsylvania's Medical Malpractice and Joint and Several Liability laws.
The enactment of the Commonwealth's Procurement Code.
Natural Gas Deregulation.
The Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
Land Use Reform ("Growing Smarter").
The Environmental Stewardship Act ("Growing Greener").
The Uniform Construction Code.
Workers' Compensation Reform.

Mr. Gleason's past positions also include director of legislative affairs at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, special projects director to the Republican Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and special assistant to former United States Senator John Heinz.
In 2008, the Pennsylvania Report named Mr. Gleason as one of Pennsylvania's "Top 100 Most Influential People," in a list comprised of the 100 people most likely to have an impact on government and politics in Pennsylvania in 2008. In a 2004 poll conducted with state legislators, staff, lobbyists and other state policy stakeholders, he was named as "Most Effective Lobbyist" in Pennsylvania. Mr. Gleason was recently honored by the Pennsylvania Law Weekly and the Legal Intelligencer as one of forty lawyers under forty "On the Fast Track" for his work at K&L Gates and in the office of the governor.

11-15 years

Chris served for 5 years in the administration of former Governor Dannel P. Malloy, most recently in senior staff as the Governor's Director of Policy and Government Affairs. During that time, he has established deep relationships with state agency decision makers. Over the last 20 years, Chris has worked on numerous campaigns for statewide, state legislative, and municipal elections.

Chris re-joined Rome Smith & Lutz after serving five years in the administration of Governor Dannel P. Malloy, most recently as Director of Policy and Government Affairs; the Governor's chief lobbyist. In his position within the administration, Chris oversaw all policy development and implementation of executive branch policies and legislative priorities. In both of his roles previously with Rome Smith & Lutz and with the Governor's Office, Chris has developed strong relationships with hundreds of private sector leaders in the state and the region, legislators and staff on both sides of the aisle, state agency commissioners & senior staff, and municipal officials in his 18 years working in different capacities at the State Capitol.

STEPHEN M. DEFRANK is a senior advisor in Buchanan's state government relations group. He joins Buchanan after spending 23 years of his career in Pennsylvania state government. His most recent position was chief of staff for Senator Lisa M. Boscola.

Steve brings process and policy expertise to our Pennsylvania Government Relations Practice, having worked in state government for more than 20 years. He has served in several roles in his over two decades with the Senate of Pennsylvania, including chief of staff, committee executive director, and policy director. Steve called on his strengths differently in each of those roles: as a chief of staff for Sen. Lisa Boscola, he used his organizational skills and ability to multitask to advance the senator's legislative agenda in Harrisburg and manage constituent outreach and communications in her district office. As Executive Director for the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee, Steve grasped new concepts quickly and effectively, and developed an area of expertise in issues affecting the energy and utility sectors. As Policy Director, he worked as a jack of all trades to advance a caucus-wide agenda that included initiatives related to legalized gaming, community and economic development, workforce development, education initiatives and government reform.

20+ years

Volunteer Firefighter - City of Milford
Fire Commissioner City of Milford
Emergency Medical Technician (Chamberlain Ambulance)
Harbor Management Commission
Board Member - Milford Mental Health
Historic District Commission
Vice Chairman Milford's 350th Celebration Committee
Vice Chairman Founders Walk Committee
Chairman Downtown River-High Street Committee
Commissioner - Judicial Selection

Pete is a former state representative from Milford's 119th district. During his time in the legislature, he was known for building consensus around issues and his passion for constituent causes. Serving as co-chair of the Conservation and Development sub-committee of the Appropriations Committee, Vice Chair of the Commerce Committee, and as a member of the Environment and Transportation Committees.

Pete joined the firm after four years leading the Connecticut Pari-Mutuel Association, becoming the President of the firm in 2006. Pete has served on numerous boards and commissions and was Campaign Chair of State Comptroller Nancy Wyman's 2002 campaign. He currently serves as a Governors Appointee on the Connecticut Judicial Selection Commission. Additionally, he is engaged with several charities that support children and their families battling cancer

20+ years

Results-oriented Professional Lobbyist with a proven track record for ethical standards, enhancing clients standing, consistent record of positive outcomes for client -- whether the mission is to pass or defeat legislation. Successful at year-round representation and first-rate communication with elected officials. Demonstrated ability to build and lead lobbying teams or work alone. Critical thinker and strategies designed to put the best information before elected officials in the best possible package

20+ years

Kathie began her career in government relations and policy more than 20 years ago. Combining a background in political activism and experience with the private sector allowed her to bring a unique skill set to clients looking for assistance with their governmental needs.

Throughout her time with Rome Smith & Lutz, Kathie has represented a diverse range of clients, managing their goals, planning their strategy and offering advice on implementation.

From impacting environmental policy, working for tax relief for innovation companies and helping to pass first in the nation patient protections Kathie offers broad experience and skill to all clients. She remains active in local, state and national politics.

6-10 years

The Daily Record's Top 100 Women 2021
The Daily's Record's 2017 VIP List (Very Important Professional)
2017 Maryland Rising Star - Legislative & Governmental Affairs
2016 Maryland Rising Star - Legislative & Governmental Affairs
2015 Maryland Rising Star - Legislative & Governmental Affairs
2014 Maryland Rising Star

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.