Paulette M. Pagán

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Paulette M. Pagán

AboutPaulette M. Pagán

As a tenacious criminal defense attorney, Paulette has represented clients facing a myriad of charges, from violent offenses to highly complex white-collar crimes. Her deep understanding of criminal law and her relentless pursuit of justice form the bedrock of her ability to secure the best outcomes for her clients. Paulette takes great pride in establishing effective lines of communication with her clients, recognizing the personal toll and stress associated with facing criminal charges.

Her unparalleled expertise and experience make her a true force to be reckoned with, having successfully tried numerous jury trials and securing favorable outcomes for her clients. She has fearlessly defended clients facing charges such as murder, conspiracy, fraud, sex crimes, and gun-related charges, among others. She had represented a vast range of individuals, from CEOs charged with fraud to alleged leaders of international drug trafficking organizations.

An example of her fearlessness came when her client was facing life imprisonment on multiple charges, and through her zealous and passionate representation, her client was found not guilty on all charges. In addition, Paulette is no stranger to navigating the complexities of white-collar criminal jury trials both in local and federal courts. In one particularly complex trial, she meticulously reviewed over 3.5 million documents and expertly tackled the intricate web of government contracting regulation.

Experience & Background

Before establishing herself in Washington, D.C., Paulette dedicated four years of her career to serving the indigent community of St. Louis County, Missouri, as a Public Defender. Handling over one hundred and fifty felony cases concurrently, Paulette’s expertise and commitment were instrumental in achieving the highest number of dismissed felony cases within a single year in her last year of serving. Her exemplary work earned her the opportunity to guest lecture at the University of Missouri St. Louis on the topic of Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity. Paulette’s influence extends to her role as a guest trial advocacy Judge for both local undergraduate and law schools.

Paulette’s academic achievements are equally remarkable. She obtained her J.D. from Suffolk University Law School, becoming the first member of her family to attend law school. As the executive editor of the Journal Health and Biomedical Law, Paulette published a groundbreaking student note entitled “Reliance on Indiana Pharmacy Board’s Synthetic Drug Statute Creates Constitutionally Void Criminal Statute – Tiplick v. State of Indiana on Administrative & Constitutional Law.” While in law school, she served as a law clerk for Suffolk County district court and superior court judges, contributing to the development of cutting-edge criminal case opinions

Paulette is of Puerto Rican descent. Her seamless ability to work with clients in both Spanish and English, exemplifies her dedication to fostering meaningful connections with clients from diverse backgrounds. Her involvement in numerous bar associations, including the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Women’s White Collar Defense Association, the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia, and the Hispanic Bar Association of the District of Columbia, further demonstrate her commitment to the legal community and her clients.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Paulette holds a profound core belief in giving back, which drives her philanthropic endeavors. She serves on the Board of Directors for My Little Patient, Inc., a nonprofit providing exceptional medical care to underdeveloped communities worldwide.  This role has led her to volunteer in areas like rural Kenya and more.