Nico Pento

Nico Pento calls upon his diverse background in government affairs, traditional private practice, and highly regulated industries to align Bianchi & Brandt’s Government Affairs division with the firm’s business and litigation services. He is a communications specialist with a proven record of deftly navigating the political sphere and finding common ground between disputing parties. 

Nico came to Bianchi & Brandt after serving as Director of Government Affairs and VP of External Affairs for multistate cannabis operator Terrapin Care Station, where he represented the Colorado-based company’s interests in local and state rule-making and enforcement, liaised with investors, guided the communications department, and directed expansion into four additional adult-use state markets. Prior to his work at TCS, Nico served as Policy Director for the Republican Caucus in the Colorado House of Representatives, where he honed his skills at negotiating bipartisan agreements to enable the passage of key legislation surrounding transportation funding, sports betting, and the cannabis market. His understanding of the unique demands of highly regulated industries is informed by his previous work in the gaming and hospitality sector for Jones Walker, one of the largest law firms in the nation. 

The first member of his family to earn a college and advanced degree, Nico holds a J.D. from Florida State University. He is originally from Florida and now calls Scottsdale home, where he enjoys mountain biking, camping, and other outdoor pursuits.

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