Venable LLP is pleased to announce that Charles R. Conner, III has joined the firm in the State and Local Government Practice in the Towson office. Mr. Conner previously served as the director of government affairs for Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski.
In his new role, Mr. Conner will represent his clients’ interests before the executive and legislative branches of Maryland government, and before county and municipal governments and agencies in the state.
During his time with Baltimore County, Mr. Conner formulated and pursued the administration’s annual legislative agenda and served as the chief proxy for the county executive on all legislative matters at the local, state, and federal levels. He also represented the county executive before the state government, the county council, and the county’s state and federal delegations.
He previously served as the deputy state director for U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, where he gained valuable insight as the senator’s principal advisor regarding the government, businesses, and communities of the Greater Baltimore area. As the chief of staff for Maryland Delegate and then Democratic Caucus Chairman Luke Clippinger, Mr. Conner collaborated with Delegate Clippinger to implement legislation and policy initiatives, and represented him in interactions with constituents, advocates, lobbyists, and the press. He also acted as the director of community outreach and later the executive director of the Maryland Democratic Party. His responsibilities included managing the election year team in 2016, conducting media outreach, and building partnerships with various stakeholders, such as faith, civil rights, and other affiliated organizations.
Robert A. Hoffman, partner-in-charge of Venable’s Towson office, said, “Chuck has amassed significant experience in the public sector. His in-depth familiarity with the legislative process and the relationships he’s forged with many of the state’s and county’s key figures will be of immense value to our clients. We are thrilled to welcome him to the firm.”
John R. Stierhoff, partner in Venable’s Annapolis office, said “We are proud and excited to have Chuck become a part of our team. Chuck has earned the trust and respect of state legislators and local officials, and he will be an important advocate for our clients.”
Commenting on his move to Venable, Mr. Conner said, “Venable has a long-standing presence in Maryland and is known for providing exceptional counsel, making it the ideal fit for my practice. I look forward to joining the team as I take on this new role.”
Mr. Conner received his J.D. from Charleston School of Law in 2013, his M.Div. from Duke University, The Divinity School in 2008, and his B.A. from Davidson College in 2005.
Venable LLP is an American Lawyer Global 100 law firm headquartered in Washington, DC that serves as primary counsel to a worldwide clientele of large and mid-sized organizations, nonprofits, high-net-worth entrepreneurs, and other individuals. With more than 850 professionals across the country, including in California, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Virginia, and Washington, DC, the firm strategically advances its clients’ objectives in the United States and around the globe. Venable advises clients on a broad range of business and regulatory law, legislative affairs, complex litigation, and the full range of intellectual property disciplines. For more information, please visit https://www.venable.com/.
