Why It Matters

Santiago Alvarez’s hiring of Corcoran Partners marks his first entry into federal lobbying, a strategic shift in pursuing a presidential pardon for his 2007 firearms conviction.

Pardon lobbying has become increasingly commercialized, with firms commanding substantial fees as the Trump administration demonstrates receptiveness to clemency appeals backed by political allies. Alvarez’s team includes Carlos Ernesto San Jose, who recently lobbied for another client’s pardon, providing direct experience navigating this complex terrain. The politicized environment—where members actively campaign for or against specific pardons—makes professional lobbying advocacy increasingly central to clemency outcomes.

By the Numbers

Santiago Alvarez retained Corcoran Partners on June 30, 2025. The firm manages 48 clients with over $2.3 million in reported lobbying expenditures. Alvarez’s lobbying team consists of Esteban L. Bovo Jr. and Carlos Ernesto San Jose. San Jose’s most relevant experience includes recent lobbying for Juno Empire Inc. on "issues related to the pardon of Jorge Ferrer" for $60,000 in October 2025.

The Agenda

Santiago Alvarez is lobbying exclusively for a presidential pardon to clear his 2007 federal conviction on conspiracy charges involving illegal firearms. The engagement focuses solely on securing executive clemency under Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice.

Broader Context

Congressional activity surrounding executive clemency has intensified dramatically. The Pardon Transparency and Accountability Act (S.256) would mandate public explanations for pardons and require Justice Impact Statements. Recent presidential actions demonstrate receptiveness to clemency appeals backed by political advocacy—notably President Trump’s commutation of former Rep. George Santos’s sentence and the October 2025 pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao after extensive professional lobbying.

This polarized environment creates both opportunity and risk, as the administration shows willingness to grant controversial relief for politically-backed cases while congressional Democrats grow increasingly critical of clemency decisions.

Between The Lines

Congress actively engages with presidential clemency as both a legislative and political issue. Beyond S.256, H.J.Res.108 aims to prevent presidential self-pardons. Democrats like Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) have criticized recent pardons as threats to rule of law, while Republicans including Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) actively advocate for clemency in specific cases.

Competitive Landscape

Alvarez operates within a growing pardon-lobbying market. Organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and Brennan Center for Justice consistently lobby on clemency as part of criminal justice reform. Other individual pardon seekers have hired lobbyists, including Greg Evan Lindberg and Joseph Schwartz, demonstrating a clear market of high-net-worth individuals utilizing professional advocates.

The Bottom Line

Alvarez’s engagement with Corcoran Partners reflects the commercialization of pardon advocacy in a polarized political environment where congressional oversight efforts intensify while the administration shows receptiveness to professionally-backed clemency appeals.

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