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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.

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.

    • 717-234-9909

    • NOVAK STRATEGIC ADVISORS500 NORTH SECOND STREET, 9th FLHARRISBURGPA17101

    Novak Strategic Advisors offers comprehensive, strategic government affairs and grassroots solutions to real world business needs.Based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the firm's representation ranges from Fortune 500 companies to charitable organizations and small businesses. On their behalf, NSA has effectively secured procurement contracts, achieved legislative victories, educated leaders about clients' issues, and developed relationships with government entities.For NSA clients, success is directly related to unique, strategic government affairs and grassroots approaches that rely on consensus building, good relationships and creating cohesive coalitions. Firm professionals take the time to develop creative, direct approaches to navigating government. Their aim is to be responsive to their clients and proactive on the issues by bringing every asset to the table. As a result, their work has led to legislation and state regulatory changes in the areas of gaming, the environment, taxes and state regulated alcohol sales. At Novak Strategic Advisors, the number one goal is results.

    15-20 years

    Recognized by the Central Penn Business Journal, Forty Under 40

    Recognized by Susquehanna Style, Women in Leadership

    Pennsylvania Association for Government Relations
    Women in Pennsylvania Government Relations
    Anne B. Anstine Excellence in Public Service Series, Class of 2008
    Past Chair, Board of Directors, American Red Cross, Central PA Chapter
    Leadership Harrisburg Area Executive Program, Class of 2016
    Founder and Former Co-Chair, Dickinson College Alumni Association for Central Pennsylvania
    Board member, Keystone Human Services Partnership Board
    Board member, D.R.E.A.M. Partnership,
    Associate Board member, Members 1st FCU

    Angela Leopold is a Senior Partner of Novak Strategic Advisors. A savvy businesswoman and an accomplished community leader, Angela knows people and gets results. At NSA, Angela directs top to bottom grassroots campaigns, earned and social media strategies, and coalition building activities. For the past 15 years, she has worked on state and national issues such as healthcare, taxation, and energy. Angela co-leads the Issue Advocacy division at Novak and oversees several of Novak’s government affairs clients as well.

    Early in her career as a political fundraiser, Angela developed creative, direct approaches to navigating grassroots campaigns that included issue-based forums, consensus building, and reputation management. Today, she utilizes this experience and continues to cultivate her well-established relationships and strong, broad-based coalition networks. Angela has successfully managed several local races drawing on her impressive organizational skills and ability to mobilize grassroots armies at the local level. From circulating petitions to building relationships with local business and community leaders, Angela leveraged her connections in creative ways, which ultimately led her candidates to victory in these local elections.

    Angela is the past board chair of the Central PA Chapter of the American Red Cross, and in 2016 graduated from the Leadership Harrisburg Area Executive program. When Angela is not pulling it all together at work, she is pulling together ways to support nonprofits, including the Midwest Food Bank, D.R.E.A.M. Partnership, and Keystone Human Services (Partnership Board). In 2021, Angela was recognized as a 40 Under 40 Leader by the Central Penn Business Journal as well as Women in Business 2021 issue in Susquehanna Style.

    Angela is a graduate of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Angela lives in Mechanicsburg with her husband, Joe, and son, Mark.

    Matthew is a lobbyist who has a history of result-oriented success. He has obtained client successes through lobbying the Maryland legislature, executive branch, and agencies along with grassroots activities and engagement.

    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.

    Camille is an attorney and Co-Chair of RWL's Government Relations Division. She is an effective advocate for a diverse group of clients with complicated and nuanced issues before legislative and procurement decision makers. Work closely with clients to develop strategy and implement both short- and long-term goals.

    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.

    Clients:
    Clients:
    • 412-452-8072

    • 12500 Willowbrook RoadCumberlandMD21502

    HEATHER HALLMAN

    (Pennsylvania)
    • 877-838-0269

    • U.S. Steel Tower600 Grant Street, 55th FloorPittsburghPA15219

    Clients:
    • 410-269-5066

    • 225 Duke of Gloucester StreetAnnapolisMD21401

    Clients:
    Clients:
    Clients:
    • 412-864-6283

    • 600 Grant StreetU.S. Steel Tower, Floor 60PittsburghPA15219

    WILLIAM RIES

    (Pennsylvania)
    • 412-454-8708

    • UPMC Health Plan600 Grant Street, Suite 5513PittsburghPA15219

    Clients:
    Clients:
    Clients: