3rd-6th year Government Contracts Attorney

Direct Counsel has partnered with a premier, nationally recognized law firm in their search for a mid-level associate (3-6 years of experience) to join its national Government Contracts Team. This is a unique opportunity to join a top AmLaw 100 law firm and work closely with a Chambers-USA nationally-rated government contracts partner and a 2023 Law360 MVP in Government Contracts.

The Government Contracts team handles a broad variety of high-profile matters for our clients, including litigation, investigations, compliance, and counseling work.  Our respected bid protest practice litigates before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and is known for success in high-profile cases. We represent clients in False Claims Act investigations and litigation and have one of the leading debarment defense practices representing individuals and small-to-large contractors facing the threat of Government-wide suspension and debarment.  We also assist clients in developing and/or enhancing values-based ethics and compliance programs.  We also are called upon to counsel our clients on the terms of their government contracts and subcontracts and, at times, represent clients in contract disputes. The group’s work is exciting, innovative, demanding, and fast-paced.

Requirements

Qualifications Include:

·       Strong research, analysis, communication, and writing skills;

·       A solutions-oriented mindset with innovative and creative-problem solving;

·       Law firm experience with a Chambers-rated government contracts practice is preferred;

·       Experience as a judicial clerk for the U.S. Court of Federal Claims preferred;

·       Academic training in government contracts law is preferred; and

·       Must be admitted to practice law in the state of California.

Ideal candidates will have demonstrated the following attributes:

Highly qualified applicants will have ideally 3-6 years of focused government contracts experience representing government contractors against the U.S. Government within an AmLaw 100 law firm, Chambers-rated government contracts practice. Particular government contracts experience of interest including, but not limited to:

·       Significant bid protest experience drafting pleadings, deep familiarity with protest grounds and case law, and bid protest procedure at COFC (and to a lesser extent GAO);

·       Significant experience counseling under FAR/DFARS (for example, BAA/TAA compliance, small business rules, competition requirements, mandatory disclosure, etc.);

·       Some experience with internal and government investigations, False Claims Act litigation, and/or suspension/debarment; and

·       Some experience with developing and/or enhancing ethics and compliance programs to meet/exceed FAR 52.203-13 requirements and best practices.

Ideally this candidate is open to travel and is interested in helping to expand a practice including business development activities such as meeting with partners in other offices throughout country, client pitches, industry presentations, writing articles, and alerts, among other activities.

Benefits

The expected annual salary for this position ranges from $245,000 - $345,000. The salary offered will be determined by a wide range of factors including, but not limited to, experience level, education/training, and relevant skills. Associates also participate in a performance and hours-based bonus program.