Michael Best, a Milwaukee-headquartered full-service law firm, has launched a Washington, DC consulting practice with the addition of two former federal drug policy leaders – James Carroll and Uttam Dhillon.
Michael Best earlier this year acquired the boutique consulting firm that Carroll and Dhillon co-founded in 2021. That firm, DC Consulting LLC, delivered services in government affairs, regulatory advice, marketing strategy, and public relations services focusing on healthcare, pharmaceuticals, drug policy, and law enforcement – and now forms the core of Michael Best’s new consulting arm.
Carroll and Dhillon are now principals at Michael Best Consulting as well as partners in the law firm’s new regulatory defense, compliance, and white collar practice group.
The pair of federal officials bring extensive US government experience in drug policy, prevention of illicit drug use, law enforcement, and homeland security.
From 2018 to 2021, Carroll served as director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), overseeing a budget of $35 billion and coordinating and monitoring the activities of 16 federal government budgets and funding. Prior to serving in the role of US “Drug Czar,” Carroll was deputy chief of staff and general counsel for the White House Office of Management and Budget.
Carroll also previously spent a decade at Ford Motor Company, where he was Washington counsel and global director of compliance. He holds a JD from George Mason University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia.
Dhillon in 2020 was named director of Interpol Washington, serving a US representative for the world’s largest police organization. Between 2018 and 2020, he served as acting administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), leading enforcement, intelligence, and administrative activities while managing a budget of $3.2 billion.
Dhillon previously served as deputy White House counsel, deputy assistant to the president, and director of the Office of Counternarcotics Enforcement at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He has a JD from the University of California, Berkeley, a master’s degree in psychology from UC San Diego, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, Sacramento.
“Jim and Uttam add to Michael Best’s rapidly growing presence in our nation’s capital and across the country,” said David Crass, managing partner of Michael Best’s Washington, DC office. “Our clients put a premium on service, experience, and trust — traits unmatched in Jim and Uttam. Their deep knowledge of government and strong relationships with state, local, and federal officials as well as leading private sector initiatives will allow Michael Best Consulting to provide our clients with unparalleled insights and opportunities in an increasingly complex policy landscape.”
Dillon added, “The time is right to launch Michael Best Consulting in Washington, DC – and I’m humbled that Jim and I are leading the way. We are both eager to apply our government relationships, experience, and policy acumen to help Michael Best’s clients achieve their goals.”