Jeffrey R. Krilla
Principal
Jeff Krilla is co-chair of SNR Denton's Africa Committee and a
member of the firm’s Public Law and Policy Strategies practice.
Jeff has extensive foreign policy experience and has spent most of
his career working around the globe on trade, development and human
rights.
As a former senior State Department official who has led US
delegations on five continents, Jeff’s significant international
experience offers clients practical solutions to a wide range of
international business challenges.
Prior to joining SNR Denton, Jeff served as Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Jeff led
the Department’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts and
created the Department’s first-ever Office of International Labor
Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility. Jeff also co-chaired
the Secretary's Global Internet Freedom Taskforce, working with
technology companies and a coalition of nongovernmental
organizations to press governments around the world on internet
freedom of speech issues.
Jeff worked with the various extractive industries on codes of
conduct with regard to transparency and security as well as human
rights and sourcing issues. He represented the State Department
during free trade agreements to ensure the inclusion of labor
provisions that address worker safety and the right of assembly.
Jeff also led the department's efforts to address supply chain
issues in the electronics industry and apparel industry.
Before his appointment as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State,
Jeff served as regional director for Africa for the International
Republican Institute (IRI), chaired by Sen. John McCain, where he
oversaw and coordinated programs and election observations in
numerous African countries. In 2002, Jeff worked closely with
now-Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to coordinate IRI's
conference in Burkina Faso of Liberian opposition parties, civil
society, news media and representatives of rebel factions to
discuss Liberia's democratic future.
Previously, Jeff served as majority counsel for the US House of
Representatives Commerce Committee, Chief of Staff for Congressman
Mike Pappas (NJ) and legislative assistant House to Ways and Means
Committee Chairman Bill Thomas.
Jeff was recognized as a 2011 "Legal Rebel" by the American Bar
Association’s ABA Journal, an honor given to those who are
"remaking their corner of the profession" and "finding new ways to
practice law, represent their clients, adjudicate cases and train
the next generation of lawyers."
Jeff has appeared as an expert on international affairs on
numerous television and radio shows, including CNN, Voice of
America, and ABC World News Tonight.
Jeff is a Member of the Atlantic Council as well as the Board of
Refugees International, for whom he recently led a mission to Kenya
to support Somali refugees resident in that country. Jeff also
founded Fill Their Shelves, an organization that provided
underprivileged southern African children with educational
books.
Jeff is an Officer in the US Navy Reserves.
Organizations
- Member, The Atlantic Council
- Board Member, Refugees International
Publications
- "Democracy in Africa: Women Need Not Apply?," SAIS
Review, 2004
- "Small Footprint, Giant Step in Liberia," United Press
International, 2004
- "Engaging Emerging Markets: Navigating African Opportunity,"
American Foreign Policy Interests, July 2010
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