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Overview
Obie Chinemere is Co-Chair of RWL’s Government Relations Division, where he leads the firm’s strategic advocacy efforts across Maryland’s public policy landscape. Drawing on experience in local, state, and federal government, he has helped secure and manage capital and operating budgets for transformative infrastructure and economic development projects, and has advanced legislative change in Annapolis and local jurisdictions.
His portfolio includes successfully lobbying on behalf of the Warner Street Entertainment Corridor in Baltimore City, helping unlock multimillion-dollar investments, and improving pedestrian safety. He also advises technology clients on pursuing SLED opportunities across Maryland and has assisted businesses in navigating procurement and payment delays and clearing permit backlogs by working directly with government agencies to resolve complex, stalled issues. Obie has supported the growth of the offshore wind industry by helping secure federal tax incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act and has assisted clients in obtaining federal Community Project Funding and Congressionally Directed Spending (previously referred to as “earmarks”). His work routinely bridges public and private interests, facilitating collaboration among city agencies, developers, business leaders, and state policymakers to advance shared economic and community development goals.
Before joining RWL, Obie served as Regional Director for U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, overseeing outreach and engagement across Baltimore City and surrounding counties and serving as a key liaison to government, community, and civic stakeholders. He also previously worked as a community liaison for Baltimore City Councilman Eric Costello, supporting legislative priorities and coordinating with city and state agencies on budget, public safety, and neighborhood issues in Downtown and Central West Baltimore. His political and policy experience also includes managing and directing multiple high-profile campaigns, such as Cory McCray for State Senate and a leadership role on the Ben Jealous for Governor campaign, as well as advising on multiple campaigns on all levels. In his early career, he gained valuable experience leading operations for a public safety technology contractor, managing multimillion-dollar contracts, and as an intern at the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program.
He was named a 2019 Ulman Foundation Gamechanger and the inaugural Maryland Government Relations Association Rising Star award winner in 2025. Obie holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, serves on the board of Baltimore’s Elmer A. Henderson: A Johns Hopkins Partnership School as Governance Chair, and sits on Senator Chris Van Hollen’s Service Academy Nominations Board.
*Obie Chinemere is a Non-lawyer/Consultant