Aerospace & Defense

Steptoe counsels our defense contractors and aerospace companies on legal issues related to government procurement law and policy matters.  We advise our clients on compliance and disputes in matters involving cost allowability and cost accounting, contract pricing, and contract financing.

Our lawyers are experienced in all types of litigation, including bid protests, claims, appeals, subcontractor disputes, fraud proceedings, and Freedom of Information Act and Trade Secrets Act actions.

Our attorneys also assist clients on matters related to personnel and facility security clearances, including issues related to foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI). 

Representative Matters

• Representing major defense contractors in bid protest litigation in the US Court of Federal Claims and various US District Courts and Courts of Appeals.
• Representing a leading aerospace company in several Freedom of Information Act and Trade Secrets Act injunctive actions in US District Court and the DC Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Representing a major aerospace company and an aerospace industry group before the US Supreme Court in challenges to the constitutionality of the qui tam provisions of the civil False Claims Act.
• Advising a leading aerospace company with regard to a termination settlement proposal arising out of a partial termination of a major space program.
• Advising a major aerospace contractor on cost-recovery issues arising out of a program cancellation.
• Representing a consortium of major defense contractors in preparation of a position paper on proposed legislation to limit allowability of restructuring costs.
• Advising major aerospace companies on foreign military sales requirements and compliance procedures.
• Advising a major aerospace company on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act competence requirements.
• Representing foreign corporate investors in Defense Investigative Service investigations and proceedings to terminate facility security clearances.

Publications

• Fundamental Research: An Oft-Misunderstood Exemption to Export Control Rules
  January 2007, International Government Contractor Vol 4 No 1
• The Globalization of Electronic Evidence Gathering: US Joins Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime
  B.N.A., Privacy & Security Law Report, Vol. 5, No. 41, pp. 1450-1454
  October 16, 2006