15-20 years

Danna L. Kauffman, Esq. joined the firm in 2013 and became a partner in 2017. Throughout her career Danna has worked in various levels of State government and in the private sector. She has established a reputation as a problem solver and consensus builder who can handle complicated issues in a trusted and professional manner.

Beginning in 1997, Danna served as Counsel to the then House Environmental Matters Committee, working on complex health care issues, and then spent three years as a senior legislative advisor to Governor Glendening, where she worked on a wide range of issues in the areas of health, environment, civil rights and homeland security. Immediately prior to joining the Firm, Danna served as the Senior Vice President of Public Policy for LifeSpan Network, the leading senior care provider association in Maryland.

Raised in Howard County, Maryland, Danna holds an undergraduate degree in Economics from Towson University, where she graduated cum laude. In 1996, she graduated with honors from the University of Maryland School of Law, where she was an editor on the Maryland Law Review. Prior to entering State government service, Danna began her career as a litigation attorney at Smith, Somerville and Case, P.A. Danna resides in Annapolis with her husband and two children.

WILLIAM J. MALITSKY began his government affairs career by working directly for two Democratic Speakers of the House of Representatives, learning the intricacies of the legislative process from inside this key leadership office. Following service on behalf of the Speaker, Mr. Malitsky entered the private sector and served as the Director of Government Relations for the Connecticut State Dental Society, one of Connecticut's largest health related associations, and thereafter became associated with a large Hartford lobbying group. During his extensive career as a lobbyist Mr. Malitsky established a strong reputation for being able to accomplish the legislative and administrative goals of his clients. Mr. Malitsky believes in a bipartisan, leave no stone unturned approach to advocacy in Hartford.

Mr. Malitsky has a wealth of experience within state government and brings these talents to the team at FOCUS Government Affairs. During his five years on the staff of the Speaker, Mr. Malitsky developed strong ties to both parties and learned how to navigate the legislative process in order to achieve the goals of adopting legislation. Mr. Malitsky served on the staff of Speaker Richard. J Balducci during the fiscal crisis of the early 90's providing him with a keen understanding of how government can best operate in challenging times.

Mr. Malitsky brings his drive for success and commitment to excellence to the forefront of any challenge. He has a great deal of experience and expertise in crisis management for the clients he represents. Mr. Malitsky has worked on a variety of complex issues such as: insurance, health care, environmental and tax issues, as well as, energy, pharmaceutical, business, education and construction and development issues. Knowledge of the people involved in decision making is a vital role in any lobbying activity. Mr. Malitsky is uniquely able to combine his knowledge of the people involved in State Government with his understanding of the legislative process and provide his clients with a seamless approach to achieving results. Mr. Malitsky is a frequent speaker before client groups, providing them insight into the lawmaking process and best preparing them to advocate for their positions.

15-20 years

Steve Wise joined the Firm in 2002 and became a partner in 2008. Early in his career with the Firm he was recognized by the The Gazette as one of the "Rising Stars" of the State House lobbying corps, and he has consistently ranked among the top earning lobbyists in Annapolis since that time.

Steve represents a diverse group of clients before the General Assembly and State agencies, including trade associations and companies in the alcoholic beverage, insurance, gaming, health care, telecommunications and environmental industries.

Mr. Wise's legal practice focuses on administrative law and regulatory matters. He has appeared before the Liquor Boards in 16 of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions and before the Office of the Comptroller, representing alcoholic beverage licensees on licensing and enforcement matters. Steve also represents health care professionals in licensing and disciplinary proceedings before the Board of Physicians, insurance producers and premium finance companies before the Insurance Administration, and has represented maritime-related industries before the Department of Natural Resources. Steve has appeared in many of the State's Circuit Courts, and litigated cases both before the Court of Special Appeals and Court of Appeals.

Steve received his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 1991 and his Masters degree in Public Administration in 1994, both from Florida State University. He graduated cum laude from the University Of Baltimore School Of Law in 2001, and he is admitted to the Maryland State Bar as well as the U.S. District Court for Maryland. Mr. Wise was born and raised on Maryland's Eastern Shore in Denton, and now resides in Annapolis with his wife Amy and twin sons.

JAMES S. PAOLINO, ESQ. began his career working in municipal government before working for several years at the state level with both the Executive Branch and the Connecticut General Assembly. Attorney Paolino has worked as the Director of State Lobbying for the Connecticut Hospital Association, one of Connecticut's largest healthcare provider associations. As Director of State Lobbying, Attorney Paolino gained extensive experience in handling complex issues including Medicaid reimbursement, workforce and employment legislation, tax issues, patient safety programs, as well as a wide variety of other issues related to healthcare, technology, the environment, and business.

Attorney Paolino brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to the FOCUS Government Affairs team. Having worked at the municipal and state levels as well as the private sector, Attorney Paolino adds a deep level of understanding of government and the legislative process as well as commitment to achieving positive results for his clients. This background gives Attorney Paolino a wide range of personal contacts and relationships in both government and the private sector, which are then utilized to provide positive results for clients. Attorney Paolino combines his background and personal contacts with his legal skills to provide a comprehensive bipartisan approach to challenging issues for his clients.

Attorney Paolino is very active in his community where he currently serves as Chairman of his town's Sewer and Water Commission. He also serves as the Chief Financial Officer and on the Board of Directors of his local branch of the Lion's Club International. Attorney Paolino is also an adjunct professor, teaching Western Civilization, World Civilizations and U.S. History.

20+ years

Pamela Metz Kasemeyer, the Firm's managing partner, has represented a variety of interests before the Maryland General Assembly and regulatory agencies for more than 30 years. An acknowledged authority on Maryland's environmental and health care laws, she includes amongst her clients dominant trade organizations and corporate interests in the solid waste, energy, transportation, and health care sectors.

Ms. Kasemeyer's background in environmental and health care policy is reflected in her law practice which includes legal counsel to her environmental clients on permitting and enforcement actions and representation of health professionals on licensure and disciplinary matters as well as contractual and practice management concerns.

Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ms. Kasemeyer is a 1980 graduate of Duke University with a B.A. in Public Policy Studies. She received a Masters degree in Health Services Administration from George Washington University in 1984. Before her graduation from the University of Maryland Law School in 1993, she was President of Professional Practice Consultants, a health care management consulting firm; served as the first Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Health Maintenance Organizations, and was the regional Corporate Development Director for a national solid waste management company. In 1996, she joined Jay Schwartz, forming Schwartz and Metz, P.A., a predecessor to the current firm.