Mauricio J Tamargo

Mr. Tamargo is a founding partner of PobleteTamargo LLP -  a Washington, DC based national security law and public policy practice firm. The firm offers a wide-range of services in unique practice areas, with a concentration in providing regulatory and international litigation counsel. 

With over 25 years of government affairs and public policy experience, Tamargo has advised and counseled winning strategies for individual clients, law firms, corporations, trade associations and government agencies on matters involving international law, congressional affairs, export controls and trade issues. Tamargo was named among the “100 Most Influential Hispanics” by Hispanic Business Magazine and he also has held National Security Clearance (Top Secret). 

Tamargo previously served as Chairman of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States at the Department of Justice (“FCSC”) and held several senior congressional positions.

During his employment by Congress, Tamargo was Staff Director and Legal Counsel to three House Committee on International Relations Subcommittees; the International Operations and Human Rights, the International Economic Policy and Trade, and the Africa Subcommittees, while also serving as Chief of Staff and General Counsel to Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. 

Important legislative accomplishments include assisting in drafting and participating in the bi-cameral conference for the Helms-Burton Act or the Cuban Liberty and Solidarity Act of 1997, (“Libertad”).

While Chairman of the FCSC, Tamargo was re-nominated by the President as Chairman and confirmed by the U.S. Senate three times (under both Democratic and Republican Senate majorities) serving more than eight years. 

At the FCSC Tamargo administered and implemented three claims programs, the Albania Claims Program, the Second Cuba Claims Program and the Libya Claims Program, adjudicating hundreds of property and personal injury claims which resulted in over $400 million in compensation for U.S. citizens. He also modernized much of the claims process and digitized past claims programs. During his FCSC years he also served as Chairman of the Guam War Claims Review Commission and as an Advisor to the U.S Commission on Assistance to A Free Cuba.

Tamargo is a recognized authority in international law with particular expertise in international claims law and claims against foreign sovereigns. He testified before House Natural Resources, House Armed Services and Senate Judiciary Committees regarding claims and other legislative issues.

Tamargo is a Cuba-born Spanish speaker who earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Miami and a Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Florida and the District of Columbia Bars and is also a member of the US Court of Federal Claims, Supreme Court of the United States, American Bar Association, Cuban American Bar Association and District of Columbia Hispanic Bar Association.