Government Contracts Litigation Associate

The Washington, D.C. office of McGuireWoods is seeking a mid-level Litigation Associate to support its Government Contracts practice. Our Government Contracts practice represents government contractors across all industries – major defense contractors, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and network infrastructure providers, construction firms, service businesses, private equity sponsors, and other federal contractors and subcontractors across the full spectrum of government contracts matters to include: Government Contract Investigations and Enforcement Investigations and Enforcement: Investigate and defend clients in False Claims Act matters (investigations, qui tam whistleblower lawsuits, and civil investigative demands), DOJ criminal inquiries, grand jury investigations, and OIG inquiries involving the full scope of government contract issues, including national security contract issues, to false certifications, to misuse of federal funding, to small business size investigations, to bribery and anti-kickback violations. Mandatory Disclosures and Internal Investigations: Investigate, draft, and represent contractors in mandatory disclosures to agency Offices of Inspector General involving cybersecurity, FISMA compliance, cost accounting, and procurement integrity matters, in addition to our broader internal investigations practice in which we review a wide range of sensitive issues for federal contractors. Suspension and Debarment: Advise clients navigating suspension and debarment proceedings, including matters arising from the FCA settlements, the conviction of senior corporate executives, and agency relationship considerations with a track record of avoiding or reversing adverse agency actions through proactive and transparent engagement with federal authorities. M&A and Private Equity Transactional Support Transactional Counsel: Provide comprehensive government contracts counsel to private equity firms, independent sponsors, and strategic acquirers in connection with mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures across a wide range of industries, including defense and intelligence, aerospace and defense electronics, telecommunications, IT services, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, environmental remediation, weapons manufacturing, and education services. Government Contracts Due Diligence and Compliance: Advise on the full range of government contracts issues arising in transactions, including novation and assignment of federal, state, and local government contracts, small business size status considerations, DPAS-rated contract obligations, classified contract requirements, and federal funding compliance. Transaction Structuring: Structure transactions to maintain small business eligibility, navigate acquisitions of companies subject to ongoing government investigations, and address CFIUS and other regulatory considerations. Bid and Size Protests Bid Protests: Represent both protesters and intervenors in high-value disputes before the Government Accountability Office, the Court of Federal Claims, and state procurement forums, including challenges to contract awards in both high value contract and bet-the-company-level actions across defense, intelligence, IT services, and NASA programs, involving organizational conflicts of interest, improper key personnel substitutions, improper evaluations, and other procurement irregularities. Size and Status Challenges: Handle size protests, HUBZone challenges, and related appeals before the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals, successfully defending structures implemented in corporate transaction. Corrective Action and Results: Maintain a strong track record of securing favorable corrective action for clients, including reversals of agency off-ramp decisions and cancellations of improper awards. Government Contract Claims and Other Litigation Claims and Litigation: Represent contractors in significant claims and litigation before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, the Court of Federal Claims, FAA Office of Dispute Resolution Administration, and in negotiations with contracting agencies, including complex, high-value disputes involving breach of contract, copyright infringement, quantum meruit claims on terminated national security contracts, and termination settlement proposals. Audit Defense and Results: Defend contractors against DCAA audit findings and government claims Procurement Counseling Regulatory Compliance: Counsel government contractors and public agencies on the full range of procurement compliance matters, including domestic sourcing under the FAR, Build America, Buy America Act requirements across federal funding programs such as the BEAD Program and Department of Energy grant programs, CFIUS considerations, and the flow-down of federal contract requirements to subcontractors. Procurement Structuring and Audits: Structure multi-billion-dollar state procurements, establish government contract compliance and subcontracting programs, and resolve incurred cost audits with DCMA. Commercial Agreements: Draft and negotiate software licensing and distribution agreements for defense and national security applications, including agreements related to domestic and allied foreign government contracts. McGuireWoods, one of the world’s leading law firms, has provided legal solutions to corporate, individual and nonprofit clients since 1834. Along with excellent benefits, McGuireWoods offers our attorneys a competitive salary with hours and merit bonus opportunities and billable hours credit for pro bono work. Continually establishing new initiatives and enhancing existing efforts, we focus on meaningful support for our lawyers in their careers. Our Applicant Disclosures describe your rights. Our Privacy Statement describes how we will process and safeguard your personal data. Salary: $260,000-$365,000 Job Requirements: Qualified candidates will have 3-5 years of relevant litigation experience to include: Practical, hands-on experience covering the full cycle of litigation to include experience in government contract law, with substantive focus on one or more of the following: investigations and enforcement, bid protests, claims litigation, transactional due diligence, or procurement counseling. Clerkship at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims is a plus Experience with False Claims Act litigation, qui tam defense, or government investigations. Familiarity with the FAR (and agency supplements), SBA regulations, or cost accounting standards. Willingness and desire to work with innovative technology platforms. Our attorneys leverage Harvey AI to accelerate research, streamline document drafting, and enhance analytical work, allowing associates to focus on higher-value strategic thinking and client engagement. Candidates should possess strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with client, business, and legal teams. Must have a strong academic record, excellent writing, and oral communication skills. D.C. Bar or ability to waive in is required. Please submit cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and writing sample. NOTICE TO SEARCH FIRMS: Firms that wish to present candidates to McGuireWoods LLP must have an active agreement in place. All search firm candidates should be submitted via the Search Firm Portal. All other unsolicited submissions by search firms will be deemed not accepted. For questions or access to the portal, please contact the appropriate Attorney Recruiting Manager. #LI-ME1 #LI-Hybrid NOTICE TO SEARCH FIRMS: Firms that wish to present candidates to McGuireWoods LLP must have an active agreement in place. Firms will not be entitled to receive any compensation as a result of a decision by McGuireWoods to offer employment to any such candidate unless an active agreement is in place between our law firm and your search firm, and then only on the terms, and subject to the conditions, contained in our agreement. All search firm candidates should be submitted via the Search Firm Portal. Search firms that do not introduce a candidate through our portal will not be recognized by McGuireWoods for purposes of “ownership” of the candidate. For questions or access to the portal, please contact the appropriate Attorney Recruiting Manager.