Robert Harmala

founder

rharmala@telegraphadvisors.com

For thirty years Mr. Harmala has represented clients before legislative and administrative bodies at the Federal, State and Local levels. Areas of representation include – Native American issues, Online Gaming, Tax, Financial Services, Intellectual Property, Advertising, Telecommunications, and Defense/Homeland Security. Mr. Harmala also has first hand experience with the laws of the European Union.

Mr. Harmala was a Partner at Jenner & Block, where he was the head of the Government Relations practice and counseled Native American tribes, international organizations, the cosmetics industry and defense contractors in their relationships with the US federal and California state governments.

Prior to Jenner & Block, Mr. Harmala was a partner at Kilpatrick Townsend and before that of Counsel to the law firm of Venable. Mr. Harmala utilized his extensive knowledge and network of contacts in lobbying the US Congress, the California Legislature and Attorney General’s Office, as well as the cities of Washington, DC, Los Angeles and Oakland, CA. Mr. Harmala has also represented foreign governments, including Taiwan, Turkmenistan, the Netherlands Antilles, Ukraine and India, before the United States Congress and the Executive Branch.

From 1995, when he left the House International Relations Committee as a Counsel, until joining Venable in 2001, Mr. Harmala maintained a successful solo lobbying practice splitting time between Washington, DC, Sacramento, Oakland, CA and the Hague, Netherlands.

• Founder, Telegraph Advisors · 2011 – Present
• Principal, Law Offices of Robert C. Harmala · Aug 2022 – Present
• Partner, Jenner & Block · Jul 2020 – Aug 2022
• Partner, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton · Jan 2008 – Jul 2020
  • Managed the Government Relations practice and had responsibility for both client service and business development. Managed the Government Relations practice and had responsibility for both client service and business development.
• Of Counsel, Venable, LLP · 2001 – 2007
• Attorney, Law Offices of Robert C. Harmala · 1995 – 2001
  • Practiced as a sole practitioner as both a lobbyist and attorney representing telecommunication companies, Native American Tribal Governments, defense contractors, individual plaintiffs in asbestos litigation and criminal appellants. Offices located in Washington, DC, Oakland, California and Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
• Counsel, US House of Representatives, Foreign Affairs Committee, International Operations Subcommittee · 1993 – 1995

John Sobel

principal

jsobel@telegraphadvisors.com

A seasoned political strategist, John offers lobbying and consulting services to clients in broad swaths of public policy, but focusing on issues such as foreign affairs, California politics, natural resource concerns, and Native American affairs. His extensive background in public service includes nearly eight years as the Chief of Staff to retired Representative Paul Cook (R-CA).

With a specialization in natural resources and California/local government issues, John has played a pivotal role in shaping policy and navigating the intricacies of government at both state and federal levels. His nearly two-decade career in public service has been dedicated to serving elected officials representing parts of San Bernardino County, where he honed his expertise in matters such as Native American policy, federal land challenges, water, and renewable energy.

John’s influence extended beyond domestic boundaries when he directed policy for the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and served as a liaison to various foreign governments during his tenure with Rep. Cook. His commitment to fostering international relationships was evidenced by his leadership in congressional staff delegations to foreign nations and engagement with members of foreign governments.

In his career, John has led successful legislative and administrative lobbying efforts related to key government agencies such as the Department of the Interior, Forest Service, Federal Aviation Administration, Council on Environmental Quality, and Office of Management and Budget, among others. He played a crucial role in negotiating a substantial 90,000-acre land agreement in Johnson Valley, CA, involving the US Marine Corps, Department of Defense, and multiple constituent groups. Additionally, he ensured the incorporation of San Bernardino County-area land and environmental priorities in the John Dingell Jr. Conservation Act.
Prior to working in Congress, John spent a decade working in the California State Assembly, where he guided a total of 33 bills to the governor’s desk. Throughout his career, John’s dedication to public service has left an indelible mark on the intersection of policy, government relations, and international affairs.

PaaWee Rivera

principal

privera@telegraphadvisors.com

PaaWee Rivera is a Principal at Telegraph Advisors, where he provides strategic counsel on government affairs, policy development, and political engagement. With over 15 years of experience at the highest levels of the federal government and national politics, PaaWee has built a reputation for navigating complex policy and political environments, forging trusted relationships across sectors, and advancing consequential priorities across federal, state, and Tribal governmental institutions. He brings a deep understanding of the people, relationships, and political dynamics that shape policy outcomes at every level of government.

PaaWee served multiple senior appointed roles at the White House under President Biden. As Senior Advisor and Director of Tribal Affairs in the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, he directed engagement with all federally recognized Tribal governments, Alaska Native Corporations, and Native policy organizations. He coordinated across White House offices and federal agencies on policy development and implementation, including more than $45 billion in federal investments for Tribal economic development, infrastructure, and climate resiliency — the largest federal investment in Indian Country in history. During the Administration’s first 100 days, he served as key staff responsible for administering $20 billion from the American Rescue Plan directly to Tribal governments, including coordinating the federal COVID-19 pandemic response in Indian Country.

PaaWee led the 2021 and 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summits, the President’s most significant forum with Tribal leaders. He helped drive the implementation of the Presidential Memorandum on Consultation, which established the federal government’s framework for consulting with Tribal nations on all policy matters affecting Indian Country. Prior to the White House, PaaWee held several senior staff positions for Senator Elizabeth Warren, including Western Political Director, and served in the office of Representative Ben Ray Lujan. He also held senior roles at the Democratic National Committee and served as a Government Relations Advisor at Kilpatrick Townsend, representing clients before Congress and the Administration.

He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Pojoaque.