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MoForward 2022: Need-To-Know Developments in Government Contracts and Business

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Please join us for our annual MoForward event, which will be presented this year as a series of 9 live webinars. Each webinar will run for 45 minutes to one hour, with additional time afterwards for audience questions. To register, click on the RSVP

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Please join us for our annual MoForward event, which will be presented this year as a series of 9 live webinars. Each webinar will run for 45 minutes to one hour, with additional time afterwards for audience questions. To register, click on the RSVP button, then click on the program titles to register. Our program this year will offer practical, real-world insights into key developments and issues confronting businesses in today’s environment. MoForward is a collaboration between our deep government contracts bench and our colleagues who have led the government’s and industry’s most significant enforcement and response teams. The comprehensive agenda will cover topics that are at the forefront of the government contracting industry. We will hold two webinars per day for three days and three webinars on one of the days (Monday) in recognition of the ever-important subject of data rights. These daily sessions are grouped by similar theme. Register for one session or for the entire series.<h4>Session Details:</h4>Day 1, Monday, October 18: Government Contracts Cybersecurity, Transactions, and Data Rights<ul><li>1:00 p.m.: The Evolving Cybersecurity & Supply Chain Risks – From CMMC and FedRAMP to ICTS and Domestic Preferences Speakers: Charles L. Capito, Tina Reynolds, and Sandeep Nandivida</li><li>2:30 p.m.: M&A and Due Diligence – Structure, CFIUS, DCSA, and Export Issues Speakers: Damien Specht and James Brower</li><li>3:30 p.m.: Data Rights – DOD’s Continuing Mission To Take Yours Speakers: Jay DeVecchio and Locke Bell</li></ul>Day 2, Tuesday, October 19: Regulatory Compliance Issues & Risks<ul><li>1:00 p.m.: Labor Ascending – Aggressive OFCCP Enforcement; Get Ready For Pay Equity, New Executive Orders and Regulatory Changes, and Prohibitions on Non-Competes Speakers: Andrew Turnbull and Sydney Cooper</li><li>2:30 p.m.: Labor Also Ascending at The Antitrust Division and FTC – Criminal prosecutions of “no poach” and wage rate agreements, with red flags flying for non-solicitation clauses Speakers: Lisa Phelan and Rob Manoso</li></ul>Day 3, Wednesday, October 20: Competition Issues from Bid Protests to Small Businesses<ul><li>1:00 p.m.: Bid Protests – Latest Developments From Enlightening Decisions to Enhanced Debriefings Speakers: Kevin Mullen and James Tucker</li><li>2:30 p.m.: Small Businesses Are Your Business – Competition Heats Up For SBIR & STTR Contracts; Embracing OTAs Speakers: Caitlin Crujido and Alissandra Young</li></ul>Day 4, Thursday, October 21: Investigations and Truth In Negotiations<ul><li>1:00 p.m: From Legal Theories to the Nuts and Bolts of CID Responses – A Practical Approach to Fraud Investigations Speakers: Alex Ward and Rachael Plymale</li><li>2:30 p.m.: TINA Never Gets Old – What Your Millennials and Generation Z Need to Know About This “Ancient” Law Speakers: Kathy Weinberg and Lyle Hedgecock</li></ul><hr>

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MoForward 2022: Need-To-Know Developments in Government Contracts and Business

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Sandeep Nandivada is a partner in the Litigation Department of Morrison Foerster’s Washington, D.C. office. Sandeep’s practice focuses on civil litigation, complex internal investigations, and government contracts compliance, including matters related to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. His clients note that he “stands out for his strategic thinking and mastery of complex problem-solving. Sandeep’s leadership inspires confidence, and his collaborative approach ensures that every project benefits from both strategic insight and meticulous attention to detail” (The Legal 500 US 2025).Sandeep’s civil litigation practice focuses on bid protests, contract claims, subcontract disputes, and False Claims Act matters. He has litigated numerous protests before the Government Accountability Office, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and the Small Business Administration Office of Hearings and Appeals across an array of subject matters—including some of the largest and most-high profile public procurements. Sandeep also has supported clients on significant claims, requests for equitable adjustments, and subcontract disputes involving a variety of performance or cost related issues.In addition, Sandeep has extensive experience conducting investigations with False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback Act, Procurement Integrity Act, and suspension and debarment implications. He has advised clients regarding procurement fraud, anti-corruption, procurement integrity, defective pricing, and cybersecurity, and has assisted clients with voluntary and mandatory disclosures under the FAR. Sandeep also was seconded to Northrop Grumman as Investigations Counsel.Sandeep also regularly advises clients on FAR and DFARS compliance issues, particularly issues related to cybersecurity, commercial item contracting, Buy American Act and Trade Agreements Act compliance, and organizational conflicts of interest. He also works with clients to evaluate and develop ethics and compliance programs.Sandeep is ranked as “Up and Coming” in Government Contracts by Chambers USA and was named a “Rising Star” in 2020 by Law360 and National Law Journal, as well as DCA Live in 2018. He also has been named a Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 and as “One to Watch” by Best Lawyers. He is active in the American Bar Association’s Public Contract Law Section, currently serving as vice-chair on both the Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Emerging Technology Committee and the Procurement Fraud and False Claims Committee. In 2026, Sandeep was named to Law360’s Aerospace & Defense editorial board.Sandeep graduated With Honors from the George Washington University Law School, where he was Editor-In-Chief of The George Washington Journal of Energy and Environmental Law, Vice President of Internal Competitions for the Moot Court Board, a legal writing fellow, and a member of the Alternative Disputes Resolution Board. He received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University with Distinction in all Subjects in History.Sandeep is admitted to practice in Virginia, the District of Columbia, and before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.<h4>Representative Experience</h4><h5>Litigation</h5><ul><li>Successfully protested award of $45B Department of Energy contract for nuclear waste cleanup at the Hanford site in Washington State on behalf of Hanford Tank Disposition Alliance, LLC.</li></ul><ul><li>Successfully protested award of $10B Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (“JEDI”) Contract on behalf of Amazon Web Services, Inc. </li><li>Successfully resolved notice of potential debarment for Department of Defense contractor without any administrative penalties or sanctions.</li><li>Successfully defended award of LOGCAP V contract and associated task orders to Vectrus Systems Corporation.</li><li>Successfully protested $87.4 million contract award based on agency’s failure to identify organizational conflicts of interest for the awardee.</li><li>Successfully defended award of IDIQ contract for Transformation Twenty-One Total Technology Next Generation procurement.</li><li>Successfully resolved False Claims Act and Procurement Integrity Act allegations, without litigation, on behalf of government contractor.</li><li>Represented large defense contractor in response to agency show cause letter and in certified claim against agency, and successfully negotiated favorable settlement.</li></ul><h5>Investigations</h5><ul><li>Conducted internal investigations for multiple clients concerning data breaches, including counseling such clients on remediation and reporting obligations.</li><li>Conducted internal investigation regarding major defense contractor’s accounting and business systems practices, including representing client’s interests with the Defense Contract Audit Agency and advising client executives regarding proposed changes and remedial actions.</li><li>Conducted internal investigation concerning allegations of fraudulent billing, including submission of mandatory and supplemental disclosures to agency inspectors general.</li><li>Conducted internal investigation for major defense contractor responding to subpoena from federal agency seeking commercial cost data, including successfully negotiating the scope of the subpoena.</li><li>Conducted internal investigation regarding major defense contractor’s compliance with export control laws and regulations.</li><li>Conducted internal investigation for major defense contractor regarding contract performance issues.</li><li>Conducted internal investigation for major defense contractor concerning Procurement Integrity Act compliance.</li><li>Conducted Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation for multinational corporation.</li></ul><h5>Compliance</h5><ul><li>Conducted multiple multi-national government contracts compliance review and associated risk assessment for a Global Fortune 500 company, including recommending process improvements and policy changes.</li><li>Conducted multinational compliance review regarding conflicts of interest and anti-kickback policies.</li><li>Counseled major government contractor regarding cybersecurity disclosure obligations.</li><li>Counseled clients regarding compliance with applicable Pay-to-Play, Lobbying, and Revolving Door restrictions.</li></ul>

Sandeep Nandivada

Partner

Tina Reynolds is chair of Morrison Foerster’s Government Contracts & Public Procurement practice. She represents a wide variety of government contractors including information technology, defense, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical companies, as well as research organizations and universities, with a focus on general contract counseling and compliance, intellectual property and cybersecurity matters, federal grant funding, and state and local government contracting matters.Tina routinely advises clients on:<ul><li>Contract negotiations and prime-subcontractor relationships</li><li>Sources of supply and country of origin requirements</li><li>Organizational conflicts of interest and other ethics considerations</li><li>Safeguarding of intellectual property and other proprietary interests</li><li>Licensing and data rights issues</li><li>Handling of classified materials and controlled unclassified information</li><li>Freedom of Information and Public Records Act requests</li></ul>She also conducts due diligence and other activities related to the acquisition of government contracting concerns, and drafts and negotiates teaming agreements, subcontracts, licensing agreements, and cooperative research and development agreements, Small Business Innovative Research (“SBIR”) and Small Business Technology Transfer Program (“STTR”) agreements, and other transaction authority (“OTA”) agreements.Tina’s litigation experience includes government contracts claims litigation in federal courts and before boards of contract appeals, bid protests before the Government Accountability Office and the Court of Federal Claims, and complex disputes in federal courts, including civil fraud and False Claims Act litigation, and reverse Freedom of Information Act litigation.Prior to joining Morrison Foerster, Tina worked at another large national firm and as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of the Navy, Office of the General Counsel, Navy Litigation Office.<h4>Recent Representative Experience</h4><ul><li>Negotiated the largest CHIPS Act federal funding agreement between a multinational semiconductor corporation and the U.S. Department of Commerce. </li><li>Negotiated a prime contract and major subcontracts related to the Department of Energy’s next generation supercomputer program, including extensive IP rights and associated patent rights waivers. </li><li>Negotiated a series of other transaction authority agreements with DARPA and associated subcontracts with more than a dozen research universities on behalf of a firm biotech client, including complex IP rights allocations and material transfer agreements. </li><li>Assisting clients with the FedRAMP authorization process and the development of license agreements for software products sold to federal, state, and local government agencies. </li><li>Providing cyber incident response counseling to some of the largest companies and organizations impacted by security incidents, many involving nation state threat actors. </li><li>Advising clients on Bayh-Dole reporting of inventions and IP strategies for contracts and grants. </li><li>Conducting due diligence for major government contract mergers and acquisitions, including, for example, Salesforce’s $8 billion acquisition of Informatica and Palo Alto Networks’ $25 billion acquisition of CyberArk. </li><li>Advising clients on litigation strategy for False Claims Act matters, including those being handled by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) cyber fraud initiative.</li></ul>

Tina Reynolds

Kevin is former Co-chair of Morrison Foerster’s Government Contracts & Public Procurement practice. Kevin has broad experience in numerous facets of government contracts matters including agency procurements, subcontracting, teaming and joint venture relationships, contract performance issues, intellectual property, compliance matters, due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, and procurement fraud matters. He represents clients in the preparation and litigation of contract adjustment claims and terminations for both government contracts and construction projects. Over the course of his 35-year career, Kevin has handled more than 300 bid protest cases, representing both protesters and contract awardees before the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, federal district courts, and state protest forums.Kevin is active in the Public Contract Law Section of the American Bar Association, where he has served as a Co-Chair of the Contract Claims and Disputes Resolution Committee and the Bid Protest Committee, and a Vice-Chair of the Acquisition Reform and Emerging Issues Committee, as well as a member of the Section’s Council and its Interim Membership Director. He also served on the Board of Governors of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar Association. Kevin is an adjunct professor of government contract law at the University of Virginia School of Law in Charlottesville, Virginia.Kevin has been recognized by Chambers & Partners USA and Legal 500 US as one of the leading lawyers nationwide in the area of Government Contracts and has been named a “Top Washington Lawyer” in Government Contracts Law by Washingtonian magazine. Since 2010, Chambers & Partners USA has placed Kevin on the short list of National Tier One Government Contracts lawyers and, since 2020, Chambers has included him in its Bid Protest Spotlight table. He was named to the BTI Consulting Group’s “Client Service All-Stars 2016” list, a registry of 354 of the legal profession’s client service elite.Kevin received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1988 and his B.A. from the University of Virginia in 1984. He is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and the state of Georgia, and before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Courts of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the Fourth Circuit, and the United States Court of Federal Claims.

Kevin Mullen

Senior Of Counsel

Damien is a partner in the firm’s Government Contracts & Public Procurement practice. Damien represents clients in all facets of government contracts transactions, as well as regulatory counseling, subcontract and teaming agreement negotiations, contract disputes, size protests, and protests. Damien has been recognized as a leading Government Contracts lawyer by various publications. Chambers USA explains that he “is a strong choice for advising government contractors on M&A transactions,” with sources saying that he has “excellent knowledge of government contracts M&A” and that “his biggest strength is that he is very commercial, thinking about both the legal and business side of things.” National Law Journal named him a Trailblazer and found that federal lawmakers turn to him when they “need expert advice about small-business policy.”Damien has played a significant role in more than 200 government contracts transactions, representing industry leaders, private-equity firms and entrepreneurs. He also regularly serves as lead counsel in high-stakes litigation, including pre- and post-award protests at the GAO, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and state tribunals, as well as in size protests and appeals.The co-editor of books on small business litigation and government contracts transactions, Damien was a founding member of the ABA Public Contract Law Section Mergers and Acquisitions Committee and serves in the leadership of the American Bar Association Small Business & Other Socioeconomic Programs Committee. Damien has testified about procurement issues before the United States House of Representatives.<h4>GAO PUBLISHED DECISIONS</h4><ul><li>Dawson Solutions, LLC, B-418587, B-418587.2, Jun. 19, 2020, 2020 CPD ¶ 216</li><li>LATA-Atkins Technical Services, LLC, B-418602,B-418602.4, Jun. 10, 2020, 2020 WL 3265159</li><li>Inquiries, Inc., B-418486, B-418486.2, B-418486.3, May 27, 2020, 2020 WL 3034820</li><li>BEAT, LLC, B-418235, B-418235.2, Jan.30, 2020, 2020 CPD ¶ 64</li><li>Battelle Memorial Institute, B-416263.5, Jan. 23, 2020, 2020 WL 508726</li><li>ASRC Federal Data Network Technologies, LLC, B-418028; B-418028.2, Dec. 26, 2019, 2019 WL 7370424</li><li>IPKeys Technologies, LLC, B-416873.2, B-416873.3, Apr. 5, 2019, 2019 CPD ¶138</li><li>ActioNet, Inc., B-416557.4, February 27, 2019, 2019 CPD ¶ 97</li><li>Advanced Software Systems, Inc., B-414892.2, B-414892.3, B-414892.4, B-414892.5, B-414892.6, Jan. 7, 2019, 2019 CPD ¶ 51</li><li>Chenega Healthcare Services, LLC, B-416158, Jun. 4, 2018, 2018 CPD ¶ 200</li><li>Federal Acquisition Services Alliant JV, LLC, B-415406.2, B-415406.3, April 11, 2018, 2018 CPD ¶ 139</li><li>VT Halter Marine, Inc., B-415510.2, B-415510.3, B-415510.4, Jan. 24, 2018, 2018 CPD ¶ 62</li><li>OBXtek, Inc., B-415258, Dec. 12, 2017, 2017 CPD ¶ 381</li><li>Katmai Health Services, LLC, B-413816.3, Jul. 12, 2017, 2017 CPD¶ 220</li><li>Verdi Consulting, Inc., B-414103.2, B-414103.3, B-414103.4, Apr. 26, 2017, 2017 CPD ¶ 136</li><li>Threat Management Group, LLC, B-413729, Dec. 21, 2016, 2017 CPD ¶ 9</li><li>Analytic Strategies LLC; Gemini Industries, Inc.; B-413758.2, B-413758.3, Nov. 28, 2016, 2016 CPD ¶ 340</li><li>Kollsman, Inc., B-413485, B-413485.2, B-413485.3, Nov. 8, 2016, 2016 CPD ¶ 326</li><li>The Boeing Company, B-412441, Feb. 16, 2016, 2016 CPD ¶ 269</li><li>Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., B-411359; B-411359.2, Jun. 16, 2015, 2015 CPD¶ 219</li><li>IAP World Services, Inc.; EMCOR Government Services, B-407917.2, B-407917.3, B-407917.4, B-407917.5, B-407917.6, B-407917.7, 2013 CPD ¶ 171</li><li>AT&T Government Solutions, Inc. , B-406926, B-406926.2, B-406926.3, B-406926.4, B-406926.5, B-406926.6, 2013 CPD ¶ 88</li><li>Weibel Equipment, Inc., B-406888, B-406888.2, 2012 CPD ¶ 279</li><li>O'Gara Training and Services, LLC, B-404901.2, 2011 CPD ¶ 171</li><li>Harrington, Moran, Barksdale, Inc., B-401934.2, B-401934.3, 2010 CPD ¶ 231</li><li>CIGNA Government Services, LLC, B-401068.4, B-401068.5, 2010 CPD ¶ 230</li><li>ITT Corporation, Systems Division, B-310102.6, B-310102.7, B-310102.8, B-310102.9, 2010 CPD ¶ 12</li><li>FedSys, Inc., B-401453, 2009 CPD ¶ 181</li><li>Academy Facilities Management, B-401094.3, 2009 CPD ¶ 139</li><li>Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc., B-400771; B-400771.2, 2009 CPD ¶ 49</li><li>TrailBlazer Health Enterprises, LLC, B-310801.6, B-310801.7, B-310801.10, 2013 CPD ¶ 204</li><li>Evans Security Solutions, Inc. , B-311035, 2008 CPD ¶ 58</li><li>DRS C3 Systems, LLC, B-310825; B-310825.2, 2008 CPD ¶ 103 </li></ul><h4>COFC PUBLISHED DECISIONS</h4><ul><li>AccelGov, LLC v. United States, 170 Fed. Cl. 508 (2024)</li></ul><ul><li>Acuity Edge, Inc. v. United States, 174 Fed. Cl. 46 (2024)</li></ul><ul><li>Alpine Cos., Inc. v. United States, 156 Fed. Cl. 681 (2021)</li></ul><ul><li>Navarro Rsch. & Eng’g, Inc. v. United States, 151 Fed. Cl. 184 (2020)</li></ul><ul><li>Next Phase Sols. & Servs., Inc. v. United States, 164 Fed. Cl. 15 (2023)</li></ul><ul><li>Noble Supply & Logistics LLC v. United States, 168 Fed. Cl. 439 (2023)</li></ul><ul><li>Quanterion Sols, Inc. v. United States, 157 Fed. Cl. 22 (2021)</li></ul><ul><li>HomeSource Real Estate Asset Servs. v. United States, No. 10-416 C, 94 Fed. Cl. 466 (Fed. Cl. 2010)</li><li>ACTA, LLC v. United States, No. 20-356C</li><li>Chenega Healthcare Servs., LLC v. United States, No. 18-861C, 141 Fed. Cl. 254 (Fed. Cl. 2019)</li><li>Trans Digital Techs., LLC v. United States, No. 18-121C, 138 Fed. Cl. 34 (Fed. Cl. 2018)</li><li>Precise Sys. v. United States, No. 14-1174C, 122 Fed. Cl. 263 (Fed. Cl. 2015)</li><li>Palladian Partners, Inc. v. United States, No. 14-317C, 119 Fed. Cl. 417 (Fed. Cl. 2014)</li><li>Pyramid Real Estate Servs., LLC v. United States, No. 10-599 C, 95 Fed. Cl. 613 (Fed. Cl. 2010)</li><li>Acad. Facilities Mgmt. v. United States, No. 09-302C, 87 Fed. Cl. 441 (Fed. Cl. 2009)</li><li>L-3 Communs. EOTech, Inc. v. United States, No. 08-515 C, 83 Fed. Cl. 643 (Fed. Cl. 2008)</li></ul>

Damien C. Specht

<div style="margin-bottom: 15px;" class="videoWrapper"><iframe class="sticky-video" title="Meet Alex Ward, Government Contracts Practice Co-Chair" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/TkliwdSlTaQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="1" title="iframe"></iframe></div>J. Alex Ward is former co-chair of Morrison Foerster’s Government Contracts and Public Procurement group. His practice covers a full range of government contracts matters, including investigations, bid protests, claims, general litigation, corporate transactions, and counseling. Alex strives in all matters to provide his clients the highest level of efficient and effective representation.Alex represents contractors in internal and external investigations, disclosures to the government, and qui tam litigation, with great success in reducing or eliminating his clients’ exposure through active engagement with the government. His work in this area includes obtaining numerous declinations and dismissals of False Claims Act cases in their earliest stages, sparing his clients the cost, risk, and exposure of litigation.He has also served as lead counsel in dozens of bid protests involving military and civilian agency procurements of a wide range of products and services, including all manner of pre- and post-award protests in the GAO, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and state tribunals, as well as appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and size protest appeals before the SBA’s Office of Hearings and Appeals.Alex handles all aspects of the claims process, from the initial assessment and drafting of requests for equitable adjustment through litigation in the Boards of Contract Appeals and the Court of Federal Claims. Alex’s practice also covers the full gamut of other controversies confronting government contractors, including prime-sub, teaming partner, employer-employee, competitor, and indemnification disputes. His litigation work also includes a wide variety of pro bono engagements, in which he has represented both individual and institutional clients in matters ranging from immigration and criminal defense to sustainable procurement and protection of the environment.Prior to joining the firm, Alex served in the U.S. Army as a commissioned officer and an Assistant to the General Counsel of the Army responsible for civil works and international matters, and as a clerk for judges on the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the D.C. Circuit. He is a member of the Boards of the Morrison & Foerster Foundation and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and of Law360’s Government Contracts Editorial Board.

J. Alex Ward

Charles Capito is a partner in both Morrison Foerster’s National Security and Government Contracts + Public Procurement practices.In the National Security space, he has significant experience counseling clients on the complex and evolving considerations related to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Charles frequently helps investors and U.S. businesses through every aspect of the CFIUS process, from understanding and allocating CFIUS risk on the front end, to presenting cases before the Committee, to negotiating appropriate mitigation measures, and ultimately to implementing and complying with mitigation agreements after the fact. Charles’ experience includes securing clearances for some of the largest and most sensitive cases reviewed by CFIUS, as well as dozens of more discreet transactions and investments.Charles regularly advises clients on critical regulatory regimes in the national security space. Whether in the context of specific transactions or day-to-day counseling, clients rely on Charles to help them comply with and operate under U.S. export controls, in particular, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). These regimes, especially the EAR, are undergoing noteworthy and complex changes, and now play key roles in other legal regimes like CFIUS. In addition, government contractors with access to classified information and their investors go to Charles to understand their obligations under the National Industrial Security Program (NISP) and, in particular, the sensitive issues presented by foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI) in this space.Companies operating in today’s national security space are wise to take a holistic view of the legal environment incorporating not only their legal obligations today, but also the wider geopolitical landscape to plan for the future. Charles speaks and writes regularly on these and other topics in the national security space, and has been recognized by legal publications like Chambers USA and Best Lawyers for his expertise in these areas.Charles is also a seasoned Government Contracts practitioner, assisting government contractors with a wide variety of compliance and litigation issues. This includes the numerous national security issues government contractors face when they are subject to FOCI, manufacture or export defense articles under the ITAR or sensitive dual-use technology under EAR, or are required to understand and comply with recent compliance regimes like Section 889 of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act. Charles also has years of experience on pre- and post-award bid protests before the Government Accountability Office and the Court of Federal Claims, and contracts claims and disputes before the boards of contract appeals, and other judicial and administrative tribunals.  Additionally, he counsels clients on prime- and subcontractor disputes, small business issues, compliance with federal procurement regulations, and government contracts mergers and acquisitions.Charles graduated from Washington & Lee University School of Law, where he served as senior articles editor of the Washington & Lee Law Review. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University.

Charles Capito

Jim Tucker is of counsel in Morrison Foerster’s Government Contracts and Public Procurement Practice Group and is based in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.Jim’s practice runs the gamut of litigation and counseling in federal procurement matters, with an emphasis on bid protests, Cost Accounting Standards disputes, and small business matters. He has represented both protesters and awardees in scores of protests before the Government Accountability Office, the Court of Federal Claims, and procuring agencies, in acquisitions ranging from small business procurements to multibillion-dollar contracts of global significance. His representative protest matters span the aerospace sector, the Intelligence Community, base operations and logistics, healthcare, nuclear and environmental work, and information technology and software acquisitions. His protests have included both classified and unclassified programs. In addition to prevailing in published decisions, Jim has also secured favorable corrective action on behalf of clients in a wide variety of protests that were resolved without a published decision.Jim’s work also focuses on disputes over cost allowability and compliance with the Cost Accounting Standards, and he has appeared before the Armed Services and Civilian Boards of Contract Appeals, in size and status protests before Small Business Administration (SBA) area offices, and appeals before the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals. Jim regularly counsels clients on contract interpretation, organizational conflicts of interest, and small business compliance.Jim graduated with high honors from the George Washington University Law School, where he focused his studies on federal procurement law, was a member of the Law Review, and interned with the General Services Administration’s suspension and debarment office. Jim also holds a degree in theology magna cum laude from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and a bachelor’s degree in classical languages and literature summa cum laude from the University of Kentucky, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa.

James Tucker

Of Counsel

Locke is a partner in MoFo’s Government Contracts & Public Procurement practice. He has been recognized by Chambers USA for his “proficiency across the government contracts space,” with sources commending his deep experience in Intellectual Property and Data Rights.Locke counsels clients across industries through the full lifecycle of delivering technology and licensing software to U.S. federal, state, and local governments, and performing government-funded R&D through contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and other vehicles such as other transactions (OTs/OTAs), cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs), and the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. He provides strategic advice for asserting, protecting, and enforcing patents, data rights, and other intellectual property under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and the Bayh-Dole Act, before statutory agencies such as NASA and the Department of Energy, and in engagements with OT consortia, federal laboratories, and federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs). He is a skilled negotiator of commercial and noncommercial licensing agreements, contracts and subcontracts, joint venture agreements, and teaming agreements. As a litigator, Locke represents clients in bid protests, complex contract claims, data rights challenges, patent and copyright infringement suits under 28 U.S. Code §1498, trade secrets misappropriation and reverse-FOIA disputes, and civil fraud and qui tam actions under the False Claims Act. Locke also regularly advises large and small businesses, private equity firms, and entrepreneurs on the complex government contracting and IP-related issues they face in M&A and other transactional matters.Locke has repeatedly been “Recommended for Government Contracts” by The Legal 500, and in 2024 he was ranked “Up and Coming” in Government Contracts by Chambers USA. He has also been recognized as a Rising Star by Law360 and the National Law Journal.Locke is a professorial lecturer in law at the George Washington University Law School, where he teaches Government Procurement of Intellectual Property. He is a current vice-chair and former co-chair of the Intellectual Property Committee for the American Bar Association Public Contract Law Section. Locke holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Virginia and formerly was a patent examiner for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He earned his J.D. with honors from the George Washington University Law School, where he received the Patricia A. Tobin Government Contracts Award. Locke clerked for Judge Mary Ellen Coster Williams at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

Locke Bell

Rob Manoso is a trial lawyer and partner in Morrison Foerster’s Global Antitrust Law Practice Group. His practice focuses on advising clients on all aspects of antitrust investigations, litigation, and compliance.Rob regularly represents clients in a wide range of antitrust matters, including criminal and civil investigations before state and federal antitrust regulators and private antitrust litigation. He also routinely provides advice on all aspects of antitrust compliance. His clients span a broad range of industries, including pharmaceuticals and life sciences, healthcare, technology and software, financial services, and government contracting.Rob has significant experience defending against novel claims in both government investigations and private litigation. This includes claims involving AI and algorithms, as Rob recently represented a large REIT in a putative class action alleging that multifamily property owners engaged in anticompetitive conduct, based on the use of a common pricing algorithm. Rob has also provided counseling to revenue management software providers and customers in various industries regarding antitrust risks associated with AI.Rob’s active pro bono practice includes criminal litigation, asylum applications, election security, and benefits appeals.Before joining MoFo, Rob worked as an associate at a large international law firm. Prior to private practice, he served as a judicial law clerk for Chief District Judge Thomas Varlan of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee.Rob earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2012 and received his B.A. from the University of Virginia in 2009.<h4>Representative Experience</h4><ul><li>Representing Glenmark, a manufacturer of generic drugs, in sprawling antitrust multidistrict litigation alleging price-fixing and market allocation.</li><li>Representing Nexstar Media Group in a putative class action alleging that certain television station owners conspired to fix the prices of local television advertising.</li><li>Representing executives and a major government contractor in separate Antitrust Division investigations in the defense industry.</li><li>Represented a major publicly traded REIT in a putative class action filed by renters alleging that multifamily property owners engaged in anticompetitive conduct to increase the price of leases across the United States.</li><li>Defended Matsuo Electric, a leading Japanese manufacturing company, in litigation asserting federal and state antitrust claims related to an alleged price-fixing conspiracy.</li><li>Represented healthcare companies and obtained non-prosecution protections in separate DOJ Antitrust Division criminal investigations.</li><li>Represented a property management software company in civil antitrust litigation involving monopolization and attempted monopolization claims, where summary judgment was defeated and a favorable settlement obtained.</li><li>Represented leading drywall manufacturer in securing approvals for its acquisition by Saint-Gobain.</li></ul><h4>Pro Bono Work</h4><ul><li>Representing Afghan refugees seeking asylum in partnership with Human Rights First.</li><li>Represented a client defending criminal charges in the Eastern District of Virginia; client obtained favorable resolution on the eve of trial.</li><li>Assisted Georgia voters in challenging the constitutionality of state voting equipment.</li><li>Obtained permanent residence for a child and sole custody for a parent after the family fled to the United States to escape an abusive family member.</li></ul>

Rob Manoso

Andrew Turnbull is a partner in the firm’s Global Employment + Labor Group and co-leader of the firm’s Anti-Bias Strategy + Defense Task Force. He has extensive experience advising, defending, and investigating high stakes and class discrimination, harassment, and whistleblower claims, including enforcement actions by EEOC, DOL, DOJ Civil Rights, ICE, and similar state agencies.  He is also well versed in defending and pursuing employee mobility and trade secret misappropriation claims, including breach of non-competes, non-solicits, and non-disclosures claims as well as and duty of loyalty and trade secrets claims. Andrew also routinely defends and advises companies, board of directors, and executives on the significant reputational, business, and compensation issues arising from executive disputes.A primary focus of Andrew’s practice involves helping companies handle the unique employment issues and challenges from doing business with the federal government, including:<ul><li>Defending whistleblower qui tam and retaliation claims under the False Claims Act, the National Defense Authorization Act, and other whistleblower laws;</li><li>Advising and defending government investigations and litigation under the Service Contract Act, the Davis-Bacon Act, and other prevailing wage laws;</li><li>Compliance and litigation defense relating to federal and state affirmative action requirements and DEI related risks;</li><li>Advising on unique compliance issues for federal contractors, such as mitigating discrimination risks when screening for export control compliance under ITAR and EAR, conducting E-Verify audits and compliance, and navigating the Drug-Free Workplace Act.</li></ul>Andrew is problem-solver. He routinely provides clients from Fortune 100 companies to startups with practical and business-minded risk mitigation strategies for various employment and labor issues, including:<ul><li>Developing DEI, affirmative action, pay transparency, antidiscrimination, and antiharassment programs and policies;</li><li>Conducting pay equity studies, adverse impact analysis, and bias testing of employment tests and tools, including for artificial intelligence;</li><li>Developing trade secrets protection and restrictive covenants strategies;</li><li>Reductions in force, furloughs, and high-risk terminations;</li><li>Risks related to 1099s and other contingent workers; and</li><li>Risks related to I-9 and E-Verify compliance, audits, and raids.</li></ul>Andrew also advises companies and executives on a wide range of employment agreements, including drafting and negotiating executive employment agreements, separation agreements, non-competes and non-solicits, and commission and bonus plans.Andrew also represents employers in matters involving union avoidance, negotiating and drafting collective bargaining agreements, handling union grievances, and avoiding and defending unfair labor practice charges.Prior to joining private practice, Andrew worked as a human resources manager for a company recognized on the Inc. 500, an annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States.  Andrew received his J.D. with honors from the George Washington University Law School, where he served as a notes editor for The George Washington Law Review.  While in law school, Andrew interned at the Commercial Litigation Branch of the U.S. Department of Justice.Andrew is an active member of the steering committee of the Washington Metro Industry Liaison Group.

Andrew Turnbull

<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe class="sticky-video" allowfullscreen="1" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Q0TTyb7UVt4?rel=0" title="Lisa M. Phelan" title="iframe"></iframe></div>Lisa Phelan, former Chief of the National Criminal Enforcement and Washington Criminal I Sections of the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), is a partner and head of Morrison Foerster’s Cartel Defense Practice and a member of the Investigations + White Collar Group. With more than 25 years of service at the DOJ as one of the leading authorities in criminal antitrust matters, Lisa draws upon her unmatched criminal investigations, litigation, and enforcement experience to guide clients through sensitive issues pertaining to domestic and international cartel actions and white-collar investigations and to rapidly assess and address their risk and total exposure to potential claims of unlawful collusion.Clients turn to Lisa for her knowledge and understanding when subpoenaed or when enforcement agencies execute a search warrant or stage a dawn raid. Few have the breadth of her experience to counsel and represent clients through each step of a cartel investigation, leniency application, plea negotiation, or criminal jury trial. Additionally, Lisa is an expert in the components of effective compliance programs and is an asset to clients in preventing antitrust problems before they arise. She has led complex antitrust matters across numerous major industries, including financial services, technology, aviation, automotive, shipping, paper, petroleum, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, among others.As Chief of the National Criminal Enforcement and Washington Criminal I Sections of the Antitrust Division, Lisa supervised and coordinated all investigative and litigation work on international and national criminal cartel cases. Lisa regularly coordinated investigations and prosecutions with cartel enforcement agencies worldwide, including in the European Union, Japan, Mexico, Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, and Brazil, among others. Additionally, she often interfaced with other law enforcement units when investigations raised non-antitrust issues.Before Lisa was appointed Chief of National Criminal Enforcement, she served as a senior criminal litigator in the Antitrust Division, leading investigations and trials of multinational corporations and their executives for price-fixing and related crimes. Lisa prosecuted more than 300 federal criminal cases and led and oversaw dozens of jury trials throughout her tenure at the DOJ.Lisa has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including the Presidential Rank Award, awarded by President Obama in 2015, the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award, awarded by Attorney General Eric Holder in 2014; and, on multiple occasions, the Assistant Attorney General’s Outstanding Service Award, while serving as a lead trial attorney and a senior official at the DOJ.Law enforcement agencies and competition partners consult Lisa on best practices and policies in cartel enforcement and leniency programs. She has been frequently acknowledged for her insight and dexterity in the fields in which she practices. Recognitions include:<ul><li>“[Lisa’s] ability to distill information and come to solutions is amazing. We are lucky to be represented by her.” –Chambers USA, 2022 (Client Testimonial)</li><li>“[Lisa] is very knowledgeable on DOJ practices and policies.” –Chambers USA, 2022 (Client Testimonial)</li><li>“[Lisa] is excellent and gives well thought-out and practical advice.” –Chambers USA, 2021 (Client Testimonial)</li><li>“Lisa Phelan has three decades of experience as a DOJ attorney, including serving as Chief of the National Criminal Enforcement section of the Antitrust Division. She is prominent in the market and well-placed to advise clients on criminal cartel proceedings. Sources describe her as a 'fantastic lawyer,’ who ‘knows everything.’” –Chambers USA, 2020</li></ul>Lisa frequently speaks at American Bar Association (ABA), International Competition Network, International Bar Association, and various prominent white-collar crime conferences. She has been an active participant in ABA programs and activities for nearly three decades. Currently, she serves as co-chair of the Antitrust Section’s International Cartel Task Force, which regularly meets with competition agency heads from around the globe to provide thought leadership and to advise on competition law changes and practices, including leniency program criteria. She is also a leader on the Antitrust Section’s Influencer Task Force. Additionally, Lisa proposed and worked to establish the ABA Antitrust Section’s Women.Connected Committee.Lisa has long championed the advancement of women within the legal profession and in the Antitrust Bar in particular. Recognized by MLex as a “trailblazer” for women in antitrust, in recent years, she founded the “Women in Cartel” group, which has expanded its membership nationally and internationally. More than once, she has been named one of Global Competition Review’s Top “Women in Antitrust.” In addition, Lisa serves on the firm’s Women’s Strategy Committee, working closely with firm leaders to ensure that the advancement of women is a constant strategic priority. Lisa is a member of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association.Lisa received her J.D. magna cum laude from American University, Washington College of Law, where she served on the International Law Journal. She received her B.A. summa cum laude, also from American University. Lisa is an adjunct Professor at AU law school, teaching a seminar on Criminal Antitrust.<h4>Representative Experience</h4><ul><li>Represent a European executive indicted in the U.S. on a criminal Sherman Act charge of bid rigging on government contracts.</li><li>Represent a major national healthcare company investigated by DOJ’s Antitrust Division on allegations of criminal agreements not to hire or solicit employees from another major national healthcare company. Obtained a non-prosecution agreement from DOJ for the company and all of its executives.</li><li>Represent a large national health staffing company in multiple grand jury investigations around the U.S. for various alleged Sherman Act criminal violations. Obtained non-prosecution commitment from DOJ for the company and its executives in all matters.</li><li>Represent a major Japanese component parts maker subject to a grand jury investigation by DOJ. Obtained a non-prosecution decision for the company and its executives.</li><li>Represent a large national media company in meetings with DOJ regarding possible anticompetitive conduct.</li><li>Represent a major prescription services company under investigation by the FTC for possible monopolization and abuse of dominance violations.</li><li>Represent an oil and gas industry company under grand jury investigation by the Antitrust Division and obtained a non-prosecution decision from DOJ.</li><li>Represent numerous CEOs and high-level executives in numerous criminal antitrust grand jury investigations.</li></ul>

Lisa Phelan

Caitlin Crujido is a partner in the Government Contracts practice in Morrison Foerster’s Washington, D.C. office.Caitlin represents government contractors in a full range of contract matters, including bid protests, contract claims and disputes, mergers and acquisitions, and internal and external investigations.In her litigation practice, Caitlin is often involved with the full life cycle of claims, from preparing requests for equitable adjustment to litigating claims disputes at the Boards of Contract Appeals and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC). She also regularly represents clients in pre- and post-award bid protests before procuring agencies, the U.S. Government Accountability Office, and COFC. In addition, Caitlin has worked on a number of False Claims Act (FCA) investigations and qui tam actions. In her transactional practice, Caitlin’s experience includes advising on mergers and acquisitions involving both the purchase and sale of government contracting concerns or related assets. Beyond performing due diligence, negotiating purchase agreements, and assisting with post-transaction related filings, Caitlin takes a holistic view to these transactions, working with clients to navigate various strategic and legal considerations. Her practice also includes counseling clients on various compliance and regulatory issues, particularly in the areas of contract and subcontract management.Prior to joining the firm, Caitlin served as a law clerk for the U.S. Civilian Board of Contract Appeals.Caitlin graduated from the University of Arizona in 2012, receiving her B.A. in Political Science. In 2017, she earned her J.D. cum laude, from the American University Washington College of Law, where she was an articles editor for the American University Law Review. While in law school, Caitlin clerked at a large Washington, D.C. law firm in its government contracts practice group and interned with the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Tort Claims Act Section and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.

Caitlin Crujido

Sydney Cooper’s practice focuses on a broad range of intellectual property matters, including trademark, copyright, trade secret, and patent litigation, as well as right of publicity and NIL (name, image, and likeness) counseling. She has significant experience supporting clients including technology startups, content creators, and athletes on the development, licensing, and commercialization of their IP across e-commerce and digital and social media platforms.Sydney also has significant experience with labor and employment issues, including employee mobility and confidentiality concerns, as well as antitrust counterclaims in patent and other IP infringement matters.Sydney clerked for the Honorable Lydia Kay Griggsby at the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.Sydney received her J.D. from Howard University School of Law, where she was a Senior Notes and Comments Editor for Howard Law Journal, a member of the Intellectual Property Students Association, a Henry Ramsey Dean’s Fellow for the Legal Research and Writing Program, and a student attorney for the Investor Justice and Education Clinic. Sydney holds a B.A., cum laude, in international business management from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Sydney Cooper

Associate

Ali Young is an associate in the Government Contracts practice in Morrison Foerster’s Washington, D.C. office.Ali’s practice focuses on a full range of government contract litigation and compliance matters including bid protests, contract claims and disputes, small business compliance and disputes, and mergers and acquisitions. She has represented clients in both pre- and post-award bid protests before the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Court of Federal Claims (COFC). She has also assisted clients draft requests for equitable adjustments and certified claims and has litigated claims disputes at the COFC and the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA).Ali’s practice additionally includes counseling clients on a variety of regulatory and contractual compliance issues, particularly in small business matters such as and size determination and appeals at the SBA's Office of Hearings and Appeals, mentor protégé joint venture agreements, and socioeconomic status eligibility.She has worked on a number of mergers and acquisitions involving the purchase of government contracting concerns or related assets, including performing due diligence, negotiating purchase agreements, and counseling on post-transaction structures.Ali has taught several seminars on various small business matters and organizational conflicts of interest.Ali graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2013, receiving her B.A., magna cum laude, in Political Science and History. In 2017, she earned her J.D. with honors from the George Washington University Law School, where she received the Patricia A. Tobin Government Procurement Law Award for excellence in the area of government contracts law and served as the editor-in-chief for the International Law in Domestic Courts Journal. Ali was also a Thurgood Marshall Scholar.Prior to joining Morrison Foerster, Ali practiced government contracts law at a mid-sized law firm. While attending law school, Ali clerked at a large Washington, D.C. law firm in the government contracts group, and interned at various international human rights non-profit organizations.Ali is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia.

Alissandra McCann

James Brower is a partner in Morrison Foerster’s Litigation Department, residing in the Washington D.C. office.James has extensive experience advising and representing clients in matters relating to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and other national security-related matters. He has worked across a variety of departments within the U.S. Federal Government, including the Defense Security Service (now the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency) within the Department of Defense and the Office of Investment Security within the Department of the Treasury. James, while with the Department of the Treasury, led the review, assessment, and investigation of over one hundred transactions and spent years handling complex filings, transactions, and policies. He also led CFIUS’s mitigation monitoring efforts and the deployment and implementation of the CFIUS Pilot Program.Directly prior to joining Morrison Foerster, James worked at a global law firm representing clients before CFIUS advising clients on various policies and processes in compliance with federal statutes, and leading engagements with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency.James received his B.A. in English as well as Government and International Politics from George Mason University, and his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School.

MoForward 2022: Need-To-Know Developments in Government Contracts and Business

18 Oct 2021 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM EDT

Session Details: