Kirkland & Ellis LLP has expanded its government contracts practice by bringing on board two attorneys from DLA Piper. The firm announced on April 7, 2026, that an Austin, Texas-based partner and a Washington, D.C.-based associate have joined their team. This strategic move underscores Kirkland & Ellis’s commitment to enhancing its capabilities in the government…
A federal decision on Thursday has temporarily halted a US governmental ban on the use of Anthropic’s artificial intelligence technology by federal contractors. The decision came from US District Judge Rita Lin, who sided with Anthropic in the legal battle against a presidential directive. This directive compelled all federal agencies to cease utilizing Anthropic’s Claude…
The Federal Circuit recently delivered a ruling favoring the U.S. government in a legal battle involving a subcontractor over the proprietary rights to healthcare software used in the U.S. Army’s veterinary records system. The court upheld a lower court’s decision, indicating that the subcontractor failed to establish a valid contract claim, further dismissing attempts to…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently reaffirmed the legal protections under Title 28 of the U.S. Code, Section 1498. The decision in Arlton v. AeroVironment Inc. underscores the liability shield granted to companies engaged in government-sponsored research and development, particularly under Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer…
In a significant move within the legal industry, Sidley Austin LLP has announced the hiring of government contracts lawyer Danielle Greene from Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Greene, who brings a wealth of experience in federal procurement and compliance matters, will join Sidley’s Washington, D.C., office, further strengthening the firm’s capabilities in government contracts. Danielle Greene’s…
In a significant reversal, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has withdrawn its defense of executive orders issued by President Donald Trump that targeted four prominent law firms: Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, Jenner & Block, and Susman Godfrey. This decision follows a series of legal challenges in which federal judges deemed the orders unconstitutional. President Trump’s…
Fox Rothschild, a prominent law firm known for its national legal practice, has strengthened its Washington, DC office by adding a seasoned federal contracts attorney to its ranks. This strategic move reflects the firm’s ongoing commitment to expanding its government contracts capabilities in the nation’s capital. The announcement was made as part of an effort…
In a noteworthy legal clash, an Alaskan tribal corporation has initiated legal proceedings against a consultant based in Colorado and her firm. The lawsuit alleges that the consultant improperly used proprietary information to entice clients involved in government contracting. The crux of the complaint is that this confidential data was publicly advertised, with claims of…
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP has reported a significant increase in revenue and profits, fueled by substantial demand in both the technology and government sectors. The firm’s latest financial figures underscore a robust performance, with their expertise in cutting-edge technology and government relations playing a pivotal role in attracting high-value clientele. The law firm experienced…
In a notable move within the legal sector, Holland & Knight has acquired Jeffrey Klenk, a seasoned partner specializing in the False Claims Act (FCA), from Morgan Lewis. Klenk joins the firm’s Philadelphia office, enhancing Holland & Knight’s robust litigation team with his extensive experience in representing clients facing complex FCA investigations and litigations. Holland…
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a decision permitting the Trump administration’s reductions in climate-related grants to proceed. This ruling comes following claims by the Sustainability Institute and other nonprofits that these grant terminations were in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. The court, however, determined that these claims were essentially contractual in…
In a notable move within the legal sector, Greenberg Traurig’s esteemed government contracts professional, Jeff Zucker, has recently transitioned to Vinson & Elkins LLP, assuming the role of co-leader of their Government Contracts Group. This shift underscores the ongoing competitive dynamics among leading law firms striving to bolster their capabilities in the government contracts domain….
In a significant leadership transition, Wiley Rein LLP has announced that Jon Burd will take over as the firm’s next managing partner. This marks the first change in leadership for the firm in over a decade. Peter Shields, who currently holds the position, will be retiring from the partnership at the end of the year….
In a surprising turn during the partial government shutdown, the legal sector in the United States maintained its position on the employment front. According to preliminary data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in legal services remained largely unchanged in November, showing a modest increase of 300 positions compared to October. This…
The recent U.S. government shutdown, a recurrent feature of American political life, has often been associated with economic disruptions across various sectors. Despite this, the legal industry showed resilience, maintaining steady job numbers during the period of uncertainty, as described in a recent report. Contrary to many industries that experience volatility during such shutdowns, the…
In a legal confrontation garnering attention in Washington, a nonprofit watchdog has initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration. This suit seeks clarity on the deals made by BigLaw firms that appear to have allocated nearly $1 billion in pro bono legal services to advance administration priorities. This legal move follows the issuance of executive…
The ongoing debate over the transparency of removal flights underlines the delicate balance between operational secrecy and public accountability. Recently, Bove & Co. cited legal protections as rationale for limiting details on these operations, arguing that such measures are within their rights to maintain secrecy regarding specific logistical aspects of the flights. These flights, associated…
A fire alarm system design company has initiated legal action in a North Carolina federal court, alleging that two government contractors involved in projects at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune altered building plans and removed copyright information without obtaining consent. The complaint asserts that these contractors modified the original designs and omitted the designer’s copyright…
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to grapple with a series of consequential questions this week as it revisits the intersection of religious rights, government contracts, and the First Step Act’s compassionate release provisions. Among the issues to be considered is whether state and local officials can face personal liability under the Religious Land Use…
A North Carolina federal court is currently evaluating a contentious legal battle involving a defense contractor accused of misappropriating design drawings pertaining to replacement container lids for a nuclear project. The contractor, embattled by accusations from a nuclear solutions company, contends these designs do not qualify as trade secrets and have been improperly characterized as…
In a case that could shape the legal landscape for military contractors operating in active war zones, the U.S. Supreme Court justices are considering the scope of protections available to such entities. During Monday’s oral arguments in Hencely v Fluor Corporation, the justices scrutinized the claim that contractors should have absolute immunity for negligent actions…
The legal landscape in London was particularly eventful this past week, with significant developments in various sectors. One of the headline cases involved a clash at the intellectual property court between two regional law firms over the contentious use of the name Amicus Solicitors. The dispute underscores the growing frequency of trademark battles within the…
A recent legal ruling has undermined former President Donald Trump’s argument for layoffs during the government shutdown. A judge’s decision challenges the former administration’s justification for its actions during that period, raising questions about the legal rationale employed by Trump’s team. The order in question negates the Trump administration’s reliance on the shutdown as a…
Burr & Forman LLP has announced the addition of seasoned contracts lawyer Caroline Hayes from Holland & Knight to its Washington, D.C. office. This strategic hiring is expected to bolster the firm’s offerings in government contracts law, a crucial area for clients navigating complex regulatory environments. Caroline Hayes, renowned for her extensive experience in contracts…
As November unfolds, the Federal Circuit is poised to address significant cases that promise to impact intellectual property and commercial law. One prominent case involves a legal challenge to an Idaho statute intended to curb the practices of so-called “patent trolls.” This case could have sweeping implications for states attempting to regulate patent litigation tactics…