O’Melveny Worldwide

Kevin Barstow brings over 15 years of experience in strategic advising and crisis management at the highest levels of government, including the White House, federal agencies, and both chambers of Congress. He advises multinational and domestic companies, boards of directors, officers, and investors on navigating high-stakes government and congressional investigations—particularly in the intensely scrutinized health care sector.

Kevin most recently served as Senior Counsel and Special Assistant to the President, where he led a team of attorneys in the White House Counsel’s Office responsible for congressional oversight and other investigations at the White House and across the Executive Branch. He directed responses to complex, high-profile congressional and inspectors general investigations, involving issues such as national security, foreign affairs, domestic policy, and ethics. He also counseled on an array of sensitive and significant matters, including litigation and legal strategy related to executive privilege, the Freedom of Information Act, and other confidentiality protections.

With prior senior roles in the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, U.S. Department of Commerce, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Kevin brings a 360-degree view of the investigative process. At HHS, he served as Senior Counsel to the Deputy Secretary, where he developed strategic responses to congressional and inspector general inquiries, advised on high-impact agency initiatives, and implemented cross-agency risk management strategies.

Over the course of his public service, Kevin managed hundreds of congressional oversight matters, prepared Cabinet and other senior officials for congressional hearings and testimony, and led teams through politically charged, high-stakes investigations. Known for his strategic foresight, discretion, and deep understanding of institutional processes, he helps clients navigate consequential investigations with clarity, confidence, and credibility.

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Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • Michigan

*Not yet admitted in the District of Columbia; supervised by principals of the firm


Education

  • The University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., 2006
  • Michigan State University, B.A., General Administration, 2003: with honors

Corporate & Government Experience

Government Experience

  • Special Assistant to the President and Senior Counsel, The White House
  • Senior Counsel to the Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • Chief Oversight Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Energy and Commerce
  • Chief Counsel, U.S. Senate, U.S. Senator Bob Casey and the Special Committee on Aging
  • Deputy Director for Oversight and Investigations, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • Associate Director for Oversight, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Investigative Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
  • Investigative Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Energy and Commerce