Picture of Sheila C. McDonald Esquire

Sheila C. McDonald, Esquire

Attorney
smcdonald@omng.com
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Main: 301.572.7900
 Fax: 301.572.6655

7850 Walker Dr #310
Greenbelt, Maryland 20770

Sheila McDonald, an attorney with the Firm’s Government Relations practice, utilizes her vast experience in State government, especially with the Board of Public Works and in procurement and capital budget matters, to assist our Firm clients.

For more than two decades, McDonald had an insider’s view into the State Capitol where she was the longest-tenured Executive Secretary serving the Board of Public Works, an institution unique in this country. She sat with the Governor, Comptroller, and Treasurer every two weeks for 25 years. Interacting with four governors, four comptrollers, and three treasurers over that span, McDonald prepared and defended the record for them as they made decisions affecting all facets of Maryland life.

McDonald became the Board Secretary after her appointment as its first independent General Counsel. Previously, she had served as an assistant attorney general for the Maryland Attorney General; practiced law at a Washington, DC law firm and in-house at a Maryland manufacturer; and clerked for a District of Columbia Court of Appeals judge.

McDonald graduated from Johns Hopkins University (1979) and from the Catholic University Law School (1982). Her nonprofit work includes serving on the Board of Directors of The Board of Child Care, and previously, The Balanced Mind Foundation, a children’s mental health advocate, for eight years (three years as Board President). She is a Leadership Maryland (2003) alumna. McDonald grew up in Washington, DC, lived for many years in Baltimore City, and currently resides with her husband in Annapolis.

Education

J.D., Catholic University Law School, 1982
Admitted to the Court of Appeals of Maryland

B.A., Johns Hopkins University, 1979
International Studies

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice Maryland, 1989
District of Columbia, 1982 -currently inactive
United States Supreme Court
U.S. Courts of Appeal (D.C., 4th, Federal)
U.S. District Courts (D.C., Maryland)
Professional Memberships and Civic Activities
  • Board of Directors, The Board of Child Care (Member, 2022-present)
  • Board of Directors, The Balanced Mind Foundation (Member, 2003-2012; Vice-President 2004-2006; President 2006-2009)
  • Leadership Maryland (Member Class of 2003)
  • Adjunct Professor, Villa Julie College (1992)
Professional Qualifications
  • Executive experience in State Government matter concerning procurement, legislation, economic development, finance, environment, real estate, and other regulatory matters.
  • Seasoned legal professional practicing law in Maryland for over 30 years. Proven commitment to the community through volunteer efforts including a variety of citizen boards and commissions, and charitable organizations.
  • Leadership Maryland Class of 2003
Work Experience

  • Attorney; O’Malley, Miles, Nylen & Gilmore, P.A. (2022~current)

    Develop best strategy and tactics for the Firm's Government Relations Practice Area clients to achieve legislative and administrative objectives, including business and economic development, capital grants and bond bills, government procurement, and other opportunities on the State and local levels.

  • Executive Secretary; Maryland Board of Public Works (1999 to 2019)

    Chief Administrative Officer to Board comprising Governor, Comptroller, and Treasurer with extensive jurisdiction over State transactions. Manage staff and $6 million budget dedicated to supporting and implementing the Board's decision-making. Interact with State and local officials and public, requiring confidentiality. Interact with General Assembly: legislative initiatives, budget requests, program audits. Prepare Board grant agreements, authorize disbursements, monitor compliance. Chair, State Procurement Advisory Council. Supervise State Procurement Advisor and State Wetlands Administrator.

  • General Counsel; Maryland Board of Public Works (1995 to 1999)

    Appointed to provide independent legal advice to Board of Public Works. Due to the breadth of the Board’s jurisdiction in State government matters, advice concerned a wide-range of legal issues. Advice areas: procurement; legislation; economic development; finance; use of State funds; environment; real estate; administrative law; regulatory process.

  • Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General, Maryland Department of Economic & Employment Development (1989 to 1995)

    Procurement: Advice and litigation as to soliciting, drafting, negotiating, enforcing government contracts. Member, Attorney General’s Procurement Advisory Group. Employment: Advice and litigation regarding equal opportunity matters; disability law; merit system issues; unemployment benefits; personnel disputes. Administrative/Regulatory: Drafted legislation, regulations; handled responsive government issues: freedom of information, open meetings, regulatory process, State funds use. Litigation: Argued employment, tort, and contract claims in federal and State trial and appellate courts and administrative tribunals. Intellectual Property: Software licensing, advertising, copyright issues, trademark applications. Author: 79 Op. Att’y Gen’l (No. 94-060).

  • Associate General Counsel, Rockland Industries, Inc. (1988 to 1989)

    Duties with international textile manufacturer included civil litigation; environmental and regulatory compliance; personnel practices; corporate, loan, real estate transactions.

  • Associate, Foley and Lardner, Washington, D.C. (1983 to 1988)

    Corporate litigation; trade regulation; intellectual property; franchising; administrative law; contracts.

  • Law Clerk to:

    • Judge John M. Ferren, District of Columbia Court of Appeals (1982-83)
    • International Association of Machinists, Washington, D.C. (1981-82)
    • Chairman John H. Fanning, National Labor Relations Board (1980-81)