Chamber Welcomes Lawrence A. Richardson, Jr., Esq. as VP of Gov’t Affairs

(Annapolis, Md. – September 6, 2016) – The Maryland Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome Lawrence A. Richardson, Jr., Esq. as its vice president of government affairs. Richardson will begin his role with the Chamber on October 3, 2016.  Richardson currently serves as a claim attorney/jurisdictional specialist for State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company.

Richardson brings over two decades of experience as a government affairs representative for State Farm Insurance to the Maryland Chamber.  A registered In-House Lobbyist (registered in Maryland, Baltimore City, and Washington, DC), Richardson was accountable for multiple facets of activities relating to legislative, general business, and public relations issues before the Maryland General Assembly, the Council of the District of Columbia, the Baltimore City Council, their respective Executive branches of government, and all relevant regulatory entities.

Prior to his position with State Farm, Richardson worked as a staff attorney with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maryland for 10 years, five of those years as Counsel for the Office of Government Affairs.  There he provided research and legal analysis of legislation before the Maryland General Assembly; prepared and drafted legislation and amendments; presented testimony before House and Senate committees; engaged in direct interaction with members of the Maryland General Assembly, their staffs and counsel; and served in an overall support capacity to the Vice-President of Government Affairs.

With 30+ years of experience working with government in Maryland, Baltimore and DC, Richardson brings his well-earned reputation as a respected lobbyist to the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. He will use all of that experience advocating on behalf of the Maryland business community to grow jobs and reduce regulations, always working hard to make Maryland more competitive.

After attending Towson State University, Richardson graduated cum laude from the University of Baltimore with a B.A. in Political Science (Government and Public Administration).  Richardson went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law.