A temporary restraining order issued by a federal judge in Washington, D.C., has momentarily halted the enforcement of an executive order by the Trump administration that takes aim at law firm Perkins Coie. This decision, rendered by Judge Beryl Howell, addresses the executive order dated March 6, which threatens to impose significant effects on government…
Attorneys have typically exercised considerable discretion in choosing their clients without fearing reputational harm. However, recent developments suggest this might be changing, particularly for those involved in matters that irritate former President Donald Trump. The actions taken by Trump against lawyers at major firms such as Covington & Burling and Perkins Coie underscore the potential…
In a strategic move to enhance its government contracts practice, Hunton Andrews Kurth has recruited Eric Crusius as a partner in their Washington office. The announcement was made on Thursday, as reported by Bloomberg Law. Crusius’s expertise spans a comprehensive range of areas crucial to the field of government contracts, including representing clients in bid…
The recent directive from former President Donald Trump to evaluate government contracts with the law firm Covington & Burling underscores a potential vulnerability for Big Law firms engaged with US agencies. Trump’s February 25th memo commands federal agencies to reassess their contractual relationships with Covington, aligning financial decisions with what he describes as “citizen interests.”…
President Donald Trump’s decision to retaliate against Covington & Burling for their representation of former Special Counsel Jack Smith is causing concern among law firms about allowing attorneys to volunteer to represent former Justice Department officials. Covington & Burling is facing scrutiny after Trump’s administration withdrew the firm’s security clearances and threatened to cancel government…
The Big Four accounting firms—KPMG LLP, Deloitte LLP, Ernst & Young LLP, and PwC LLP—are charting divergent courses in their approaches to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives amidst shifting political landscapes. This deviation marks a significant strategic departure from their traditional alignment on key issues like technology and recruitment strategies. KPMG and Deloitte, in…
“`html The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has announced a significant adjustment to its Federal Acquisition Regulations, aiming to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements from federal contracts. This shift aligns with President Donald Trump’s executive order, which seeks to address and terminate what is described as “illegal discrimination” in federal procurement and contracting…
In a significant legal development, a lawsuit has been filed by 14 U.S. attorney generals against Elon Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency Service (DOGE), and President Donald Trump in a New York federal court recently. The legal action questions the legitimacy of DOGE’s actions and Musk’s influential role within the department, which has purportedly…
President Donald Trump’s recent executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives has sparked confusion and concern among federal contractors tasked with aligning their hiring practices to new governmental guidelines. This move is causing significant turmoil for firms that rely on lucrative government contracts, which accounted for over $770 billion in expenditures in 2024,…
In a strategic move to bolster its capabilities in litigation and compliance, Snell & Wilmer has appointed Sam Crockett Neel as a partner within its special litigation and compliance practice group based in Washington, D.C. Neel joins from McDermott Will & Emery, where he honed his expertise in defending both corporate and individual clients across…
The newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Donald Trump may trigger a wave of securities litigation according to a recent Bloomberg Law report. The department aims to make $2 trillion in spending cuts, primarily affecting public companies with substantial government contracts. These cuts could significantly impact the revenue streams of companies across…
In January 2025, President Donald Trump enacted a new executive order that is stirring compliance concerns among federal contractors. The order, described by some as sweeping in its effect, revokes a long-standing mandate designed to combat race and sex discrimination at federal contractor worksites. Additionally, it has nullified affirmative action obligations, raising significant concerns among…
In a decision replete with implications for government contracts, a state appellate court has affirmed a verdict requiring substantial payment in a long-running legal battle. The court upheld a $19 million verdict for a software contractor against a state entity, mandating that the government unit fulfill its payment obligations. Julian Dayal of Akerman in Chicago,…
Kenneth Dintzer has taken on a new role as a partner at Crowell & Moring, joining the firm’s antitrust and competition, government contracts, and litigation groups in Washington, D.C. Dintzer’s extensive legal experience, gained during his tenure with the Department of Justice, spans over six presidential administrations. He has been involved in significant litigation proceedings,…
Australian law firms are increasingly receiving the majority of government legal work, as government legal spending continues to rise in Australia. To delve deeper into the dynamics of how these firms are winning such legal contracts and to understand the implications this might have on the legal industry, further reading is essential. Access to more…
“`html In the ever-evolving landscape of legal services, notable law firms WilmerHale, Miles & Stockbridge, and Polsinelli have recently made significant hires in the fields of litigation and government contracts. These strategic moves are timely, as the legal sector anticipates a shift in client demands, particularly in Washington D.C., in response to potential changes prompted…
In a move that could significantly alter the landscape of federal contracting, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has put forth a proposed rule requiring federal agencies to apply the “rule of two” to task and delivery order procurements under multiple-award contracts. This long-standing rule mandates that contracts be set aside for small businesses if at…
In light of a recent investigation by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), SAP SE, Europe’s most valued software company, is reviewing its partnership with Carahsoft Technology Corp. This comes after an FBI raid on Carahsoft’s Virginia office in September, underscoring the gravity of the situation. The inquiry is part of a larger investigation…
RTX Corp. is set to pay a substantial sum exceeding $500 million to resolve several federal criminal investigations. These probes are primarily centered around the company’s efforts to secure business contracts in Qatar and discrepancies in its procurement practices. At a recent federal court hearing in Brooklyn, New York, RTX’s General Counsel, Raja Maharajh, confirmed…
“`html Australian firms are increasingly setting up operations in Canberra to tap into lucrative government contracts. Legal professionals point out that the Australian government has emerged as a consistent and dependable source of work, leading firms to prioritize establishing a presence in the capital. For further details, please refer to the full article here. “`
John Deere Bribery Settlement John Deere has agreed to a $10 million settlement to resolve federal allegations that its Thailand subsidiary engaged in bribery, offering cash, massage parlor visits, and extravagant sightseeing expeditions in Europe to secure lucrative government contracts. According to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), these events transpired over three years following…
In a strategic move to bolster its government contracts transactions practice, Holland & Knight has enlisted David Dowd and Timothy Kobes as partners. Dowd will be stationed in Tysons, Virginia, while Kobes will operate from the New York office, according to the firm’s announcement Tuesday. Both Dowd and Kobes bring extensive expertise in guiding clients…
Womble Bond Dickinson has announced Jon Levin as its newest government contracts partner, marking a strategic addition to its corporate and securities group in Huntsville, Alabama. Levin brings a depth of experience from his previous tenure at Maynard Nexsen. He will provide clients with guidance on various complex issues including cost contracting, intellectual property, procurement…
Aerospace manufacturing giant, Boeing Co., faces a four week deadline to dissuade the United States from pursuing criminal prosecution against them following a breach of a 2021 protective agreement. This plea deal had been orchestrated post two lethal aircraft crashes directly implicating Boeing’s aircrafts and their safety mechanisms. The significant inspection and resulting probe by…
On Thursday, Morgan Lewis announced the addition of Alex Hastings as a partner in their Washington, D.C. office. Bloomberg Law Automation reports that Hastings, formerly with Covington & Burling, will be joining the regulatory practice team at Morgan Lewis. Alex Hastings brings with him a wealth of experience in managing legal and compliance matters during the government…