Government Relations and Lobbying

Overview

A Team Approach to Government Relations and Lobbying

RWL’s Legislative and Government Relations practice integrates experienced legal analysis with a sophisticated understanding of the administrative, legislative and procurement processes, providing clients with meaningful opportunities for success. Recognized for our substantive “team approach,” ability to develop creative solutions, and deep expertise with Maryland state, county, and local governments, RWL is well positioned to assist clients with government relations and lobbying efforts in Annapolis and throughout Maryland.

Members of the Government Relations practice are seasoned legislative and executive branch lobbyists representing numerous local, national and international businesses and non-profits before Maryland’s state, county and local/municipal governments. Past government experience includes: Chief of Staff to Prince George’s County Executive; counsel to Maryland Senate Budget and Taxation Committee; member of Governor’s lobbying team; lobbyist for major local government; People’s Zoning Counsel for local government; and legislative fiscal staff.

RWL also is a contributing author for the Maryland chapter of the Thomson Reuters legal lobbying handbook, entitled Lobbying, PACs and Campaign Finance: 50 State Handbook (Thomson West ed. 2021).

Comprehensive Lobbying and Legislative Solutions

RWL’s government relations work includes direct lobbying, monitoring legislative activities and advising clients of the status of pending and anticipated measures, analyzing the impact of legislative proposals on client interests, drafting legislation and testimony, preparing witnesses for hearings, testifying on behalf of clients before legislative committees, representing clients in investigations, developing and coordinating coalitions of organizations, and organizing grassroots support.

Areas of Expertise

RWL’s areas of expertise include:

New and Emerging Industries
Business Development
Technology and E-commerce
Communications
Public-Private Partnerships
Health Care and Human Services
Natural Resources
Board of Public Works
Higher Education
Energy Industry
Real Estate
Tax Policy
Procurement
Alcohol
Cannabis Industry
Government Contracts
Transportation
Gaming
Election Law

Click here to see a representative list of RWL’s Government Relations and Lobbying current and former clients named in public ethics filings or public proceedings allowing for the use of their names.

Contact us at 410.269.5066, ochinemere@rwllaw.com or mbohle@rwllaw.com to learn more about RWL’s Government Relations and Lobbying practice.

Achievements

The RWL government relations and litigation teams spearheaded a yearlong legislative and legal effort to keep the Preakness Stakes, the Second Jewel of the Triple Crown, in Baltimore City, redevelop the Pimlico and Laurel racetracks, and help advance the long-standing interests of the Park Heights Community.
RWL successfully advocated for legislation for our client to qualify for benefits of the federal Inflation Reduction Act – including funding which is essential to the development and continued growth of their Maryland offshore wind projects. RWL also helped facilitate passage of the Maryland Offshore Energy Act of 2013 (HB 226).
On behalf of Maryland’s craft beer manufacturers, RWL launched a multi-year effort culminating in the modernization of the State’s alcoholic beverage laws, including statutory reform of Maryland’s beer franchise laws for the first time since 1974 and created a new hybrid category of alcohol regulation for mead, a honey-based alcoholic drink.
RWL advanced legislation that designated Maryland Rye Whiskey as the Maryland State Spirit. While symbolic, this legislation will help to put Maryland on the map for its Rye Whiskey production, as well as rye agricultural production – thus supporting Maryland manufacturing and agriculture sectors.
During the 2023 session budget process, RWL assisted several clients (including non-profit pro bono clients) to collectively receive more than 25 itemized appropriations in the State’s operating and capital budgets to support capital projects, operating support, one-time uses, and more.
On behalf of a corporate real estate owner of manufactured housing communities, RWL worked with non-profit advocates, legislators, and other stakeholders to successfully craft nuanced legislation that protects the interests of both tenants and landowners while dissuading bad actors from entering the Maryland real estate market.
RWL successfully led a legislative effort with a national association to enact a first-in-the nation regulatory framework of a critical part of the pharmaceutical drug supply and payment chain during the shortened 2020 legislative session. The legislation passed in Maryland now serves as model legislation throughout the Country.
RWL led the effort to gain necessary legislative and administrative approvals for Dominion’s LNG export facility at Cove Point in Lusby, Maryland, which to date is the State’s largest capital project.
RWL successfully represented Columbia Gas in obtaining federal and state regulatory approvals to build a 21-mile pipeline through the Baltimore metro region, working with a host of elected leaders, neighborhood associations, and regulatory agencies.
RWL shepherded Uber’s legislative bid to expand its ride sharing business to Maryland.
RWL was instrumental in passing legislation that reduced closing costs for Maryland home buyers.
Lobbyist for the successful effort to have the Washington Redskins, the third most valuable NFL franchise, move to Landover, Maryland.
The RWL government relations team also served in leadership roles advancing legislation to:
- Modify Maryland corporate tax provisions related to foreign owned REITs.
- Expand access to electronic health records for use in improving delivery and quality of health care for seniors.
- Establish a process for Maryland’s casinos to renew gaming licenses upon the expiration of initial 15-year terms.
- Establish a new regulatory framework for the regulation, sale and taxation of adult use cannabis effective July 1, 2023.
- Modify health care claims payment practices to recognize federal coordination of benefits policies for Medicaid payors and providers.
- Create liquor license special criteria for new economic development projects in Baltimore City.