Petrillo is a partner at Petrillo Klein & Boxer LLP in New York and will likely take the lead in negotiations with prosecutors should Cohen opt for a deal. Cohen has not been charged with a crime, but is being investigated for potential criminal dealings regarding a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Petrillo led the criminal division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York in 2008 and 2009, among other positions.