ATTORNEY PROFILES:
JOSEPH A. SCHWARTZ, III
Mr. Schwartz has been selected by his peers for recognition as one of The Best Lawyers in America® within the area of Government Relations Law and Insurance Law. Best Lawyers® named him as the 2012 Baltimore Lawyer of the Year in Government Relations Practice. The publication "Corporate Counsel" lists him as one of America's top lawyers.
His legislative reputation is long standing. A 2008 article in The Gazette asked: "Who Holds the Keys to Maryland's Kingdom?" In the lobbyist category, Jay Schwartz was singled out. At the completion of the 2003 General Assembly Session, the Daily Record (4/11/03) headlined a front page story on Mr. Schwartz as follows: "Schwartz leaves G.A. Session With A Slew of Wins." The Gazette (4/11/03) said: "This lobbyist helped to kill slots and higher alcohol taxes on behalf of the Maryland State Licensed Beverage Association. He negotiated a deal on the board overseeing physician quality and helped, in his way, to stick a knife in the CareFirst deal. There isn’t a sandwich named after him at Harry Browne’s for nothing."
Jay Schwartz grew up in the Washington, D.C. area and attended the University of Notre Dame where he received his Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees. In 1973, he received his law degree from the University of Virginia; while at the UVA Law School, he was a winner of the William Minor Lile Moot Court Competition. Upon graduation, he began practicing law at a large multi-specialty law firm in Baltimore. Mr. Schwartz opened his own law firm in 1978 and has over 35 years of experience before the Maryland General Assembly and the regulatory agencies of the State of Maryland. He has a reputation as a forceful, fair and effective advocate.
PAM KASEMEYER
Pam Kasemeyer has represented a variety of interests before the Maryland General Assembly and regulatory agencies for more than 25 years.
An acknowledged authority on Maryland's environmental and health care laws, her clients include dominant trade organizations and corporate interests in the solid waste, energy and health care sectors.
She is regarded by her colleagues as a substantive and tenacious advocate who represents her clients with integrity and honesty. Legislators and regulators know they can rely on the truth and accuracy of Ms. Kasemeyer's representation.
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 School of Law 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 Manager for a national solid waste management company. In 1996, she joined forces with Jay Schwartz, forming Schwartz & Metz, P.A., a predecessor to the current firm.
Her leadership in the environmental policy arena includes service as Co-Chair of the Environment Committee of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce for a number of years. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of that Committee. In 1996, she was appointed to the Governor’s Solid Waste Task Force and has served on several advisory committees of the Maryland Department of the Environment. She regularly provides legal counsel to her environmental clients on permitting and enforcement actions.
In addition to her background in environmental issues, Ms. Kasemeyer has extensive experience in the health care industry. Known for her tireless advocacy on public health issues, in 2008, Ms. Kasemeyer was named "Child Advocate of the Year" by the Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Her legal practice includes representation of health professionals on licensure and disciplinary matters and the review of health professional’s employment contracts and participating provider agreements.
J. STEVEN WISE
Steve Wise became the firm's newest partner in January of 2008, after working as an Associate Attorney with the firm for six years. That same year, he was recognized by The Gazette newspaper as one of the Top 25 Lobbyists in Annapolis and was one of the youngest lobbyists to receive that recognition.
In 2009, Mr. Wise was once again singled out by The Gazette as one of the "Rising Stars" of the State House lobbying corp. The Gazette attributed his success to his workmanlike personality and his ability to deal with members of both political parties.
In the words of Senate President Mike Miller: "No matter if you agree with him or disagree with him, he doesn't steer anybody wrong." Mr. Wise views the key to his success as simply being honest with people. "If you're just honest with people and they can trust your word, that to me is the key. Once you lose that, you never get it back."
Mr. Wise lobbies for clients in the alcoholic beverage, insurance, gaming, health care and environmental businesses. His legal practice includes administrative law, insurance, contracts and general litigation.
Steve Wise was raised on Maryland's Eastern Shore in Denton, and joined the firm in 2002 after serving as Law Clerk to the Honorable Thomas Waxter, Jr., of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. While in law school, Mr. Wise was the Director of Corporate and Government Affairs for Crown Central Petroleum Corporation in Baltimore, where he represented the company on state and federal legislative and regulatory matters.
Mr. Wise 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. He is admitted to the Maryland State Bar as well as the U.S. District Court for Maryland.
STAFF PROFILES:
LORNA DELLA
A graduate of the University of South Florida, Ms. Della has substantial experience in the legal field – in both a secretarial and paralegal capacity. Her extensive legal background complements the firm’s signature teamwork approach towards producing a superior work product. She provides legal and legislative support to Schwartz, Metz & Wise.
DEE ORR
Dee joined the team during the 2009 Legislative Session after being "coaxed" out of retirement. Many of you may already know Dee because she was involved with the Legislature for more than 30 years and, for many of those years, served as the Journal Clerk in the House of Delegates. For those of you who have yet to meet Dee, you will find her to be the consummate professional with an upbeat personality and the ability to solve virtually any problem.
JEANNE MCKELDIN
Jeanne McKeldin came to Schwartz, Metz & Wise in 1997 with an extensive understanding of the legislative process gleaned through prior experience within the Maryland General Assembly. A Maryland native, Jeanne McKeldin joined Schwartz, Metz & Wise after working with the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, where she assisted the Chamber’s lobbyists for five years.