Semmes has provided legislative services and access to governmental decision makers for many years. Semmes' lobbyists monitor and advise clients on Maryland legislative and regulatory activities throughout the year. They also provide lobbying services in local jurisdictions including Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County and Baltimore County.

Combining more than 60 years of lobbying and legislative experience, the current Semmes lobbying team is comprised of American Joe Miedusiewski, a former Maryland State Senator, and Franklin Goldstein. This group created the first full-service lobbying practice in a major Maryland law firm, and is a unique and strong presence in the state legislature.

Building and maintaining relationships with government decision makers is a key component of the Semmes lobbying philosophy. Prior to running for Governor in 1994, American Joe Miedusiewski served in the House of Delegates and State Senate for twenty years and has substantial relationships with key legislators. Franklin Goldstein, a premier lobbyist in the state for many years, served in the Attorney General's Office as Chief of the Civil Division prior to beginning his lobbying practice in 1968.

The Firm's lobbyists work year round to advocate the interests of their clients and, during the 90-day session of the Maryland General Assembly, they reside in the State Capitol, Annapolis, Maryland. There, they are an integral part of the legislative process. In Annapolis, they draft and arrange for the introduction of legislation to serve clients' needs, testify at legislative hearings, and meet with elected officials and their staff members as part of a full-time lobbying effort. We also assist businesses considering relocating to Maryland in navigating the sometimes daunting seas of governmental requirements. Semmes' lobbyists use ethical and effective techniques to deliver clients' messages to the members of the General Assembly and the Administration.

Semmes' lobbyists assist clients in crafting strategy and action plans to shape public policy, including assisting with grassroots organization and providing political training for clients' employees. Mr. Miedusiewski also conducts state government lobbying seminars around the country in an effort to assist associations, organizations and businesses in achieving their legislative goals and to enhance clients' skills and resources in the area of government affairs.

Affiliation

The Semmes Lobbying and Government Relations Practice added to its complement, in 2006, an association with the law offices of Lisa Harris Jones, LLC. Mrs. Jones concentrates her practice in lobbying and government relations, corporate and real estate law. She has represented both publicly held and private enterprises, encompassing both smaller and larger business entities. Mrs. Jones is counsel to the Maryland Minority Contractors Association, Inc. (MMCA), and is closely involved in legislative issues affecting minority businesses.

Mrs. Jones represents a wide range of business interests before the Maryland General Assembly and Baltimore’s City Council, Liquor Board, Board of Estimates, Planning Commission and Zoning Board. She represented MMCA during the 2001 session of the Maryland General Assembly and was able, among other things, to assist in the passage of legislation that increased the procurement goals under the State of Maryland’s minority business enterprise program from 14 percent to 25 percent. She also represented MMCA and the Baltimore Hispanic Business Group with respect to Council Bill 00-211/Minority and Small Business Opportunity, which passed in the fall of 2000. In 2003, she contributed to Lieutenant Governor Michael S. Steele’s Task Force on Minority Business Enterprise Reform and is currently a member of the City of Baltimore’s MBE/WBE Certification Appeals Board.

For more information about Lisa Harris Jones, LLC, please visit www.mdlobbyist.com.