Introduction

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.

Recommendations

  • "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
  • Achievements

    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

    Clients

    1) Access Holdings Management Company, LLC

    2) Alterwood Health, Inc.

    3) Ashley, Inc.

    4) Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Center (BARCS)

    5) Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

    6) Berkshire Hathaway Energy GT&S, LLC

    7) Brewers Association of Maryland

    8) Brown Advisory

    9) BSC America

    10) Cable Telecommunications Association of Maryland, Delaware and D.C., Inc.

    11) Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation

    12) Canton Group, The

    13) Carahsoft Technology Corporation

    14) Catalis LLC

    15) CBAC Gaming, LLC (Horseshoe Casino)

    16) CGI Technologies and Solutions Inc.

    17) Chesapeake Shakespeare Company

    18) Children's National Health System

    19) Colonial Pipeline Company

    20) Coppin State University Development Foundation

    21) Corebridge Financial Group

    22) Curio Wellness

    23) DentaQuest

    24) Education Affiliates/Fortis College

    25) Enterprise RAC Company of Baltimore, LLC

    26) Envirotest Systems Holdings Corp.

    27) Fair Hill Condominium Association

    28) Fair Hill Foundation, Inc.

    29) FedEx Corporation

    30) Food & Friends, Inc.

    31) Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park

    32) Gaudenzia, Inc.

    33) Google LLC and its Affiliates

    34) GT Independence

    35) H&R Block Management LLC

    36) HEVI

    37) Humanim, Inc.

    38) JMI Management LP

    39) Land Preservation Trust

    40) Leda Health

    41) Light & Wonder

    42) Maryland Academy of Pediatric Dentists

    43) Maryland Association of Realtors

    44) Maryland Automobile Dealers Association

    45) Maryland Care Inc. dba Maryland Physicians Care

    46) Maryland Distillers Guild

    47) Maryland Jockey Club (Pimlico, Laurel and Rosecroft Racetracks)

    48) Maryland Partnership for Prevention, Inc.

    49) Maryland Tech Council

    50) Maryland Wineries Association

    51) Maximus

    52) Medallia, Inc.

    53) Modern Living Solutions

    54) Mount Vernon Place Conservancy

    55) MTX Group, Inc.

    56) NaphCare Inc.

    57) NAREIT, formerly National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts

    58) Pepco Holdings, Inc.

    59) PGA of America

    60) Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA)

    61) Premium Cigar Retailers Association of Maryland

    62) Prologis, Inc.

    63) Real Time Medical Systems

    64) Reed Group

    65) Rifkin Weiner Livingston LLC

    66) Ripken Baseball

    67) Scientific Games, LLC

    68) Sheppard Pratt Health Systems

    69) Skyline Technology Solutions

    70) Spotless Brands

    71) Story of Maryland, LLC

    72) ThinkBig Networks LLC

    73) Tufton Professional Baseball LLC

    74) TVI, Inc./Savers

    75) UPMC Western Maryland

    76) URW Airports, LLC

    77) Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA)

    78) Waste Management, Inc.

    79) XCALIBER INTERNATIONAL LTD., LLC

    Number of Years as a Lobbyist

    20+ years

    Relationships

    Fiscal Analyst, Department of Fiscal Services (1988)
    Committee Staff, Maryland Senate Budget & Taxation Committee (1989 - 1990)

    Biography

    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.

    Last Updated: April 18, 2024