Pablo E. Carrillo

Before arriving at the firm, Pablo served as Chief of Staff to US Senator John McCain, Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee and former US presidential candidate. In that capacity, he was responsible for the development and implementation of the Senator’s legislative and congressional oversight strategy.

Pablo also served as Minority General Counsel of the Senate Armed Services Committee, where he advised the Ranking Member and other Republican Senators on the defense authorization bill and the Minority’s O&I activities, particularly on defense acquisition and contracting policy and management issues. In that capacity, he was the lead Republican staff member in developing the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009, a major piece of bipartisan legislation on how the Pentagon procures major weapon systems, and helped reform the national security space launch program to open it to commercial new entrants.

As the firm’s lead on congressional O&I, Pablo helps clients forecast and navigate intersecting legal, regulatory, policy and reputational risks presented by high-profile, often politically charged, congressional O&I. As to the tradecraft of O&I, Pablo brings his extensive experience with such investigations to the needs of the firm’s clients, having led a major investigation of a multibillion-dollar deal whereby the Air Force would procure aerial refueling tankers, which uncovered evidence that led to the imprisonment of a top Air Force acquisition executive and a corporate office of a major defense contractor, and an investigation into allegations regarding DC lobbyist Jack Abramoff, which uncovered evidence that led to 20 guilty pleas and convictions, including those of a member of Congress and a top Administration official.

In his policy practice, Pablo advises and advocates the interests of clients on matters relating to defense and national security before federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, the Department of the Treasury and the Export-Import Bank of the US; advises venture-backed emerging technology startup companies, particularly in the AI/ML, space technology and cybersecurity subsectors, and other commercial companies with doing business with the federal government; and frequently lectures on related policy issues. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pablo helped lead a tiger team at the firm that helped clients navigate small business relief programs under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES Act).