Steptoe is a leading law firm for defense companies navigating complex government contracting, national security, and compliance challenges across the globe. Ranked by Chambers USA and Legal 500 for government contracts, export controls, government relations, anti-corruption, and human rights, we combine decades of experience with deep connections to US government decision-makers.
Our team includes former US government defense, military, and intelligence officials, former defense company chief ethics and compliance officers, as well as those continuing to serve in a reserve or National Guard capacity, all of whom have experience with classified and sensitive projects. Steptoe delivers practical, results-driven counsel for both defense innovators and established industry leaders.
Emerging Technologies and Defense Tech
Defense technology is evolving rapidly, and Steptoe helps companies stay ahead. We advise on cutting-edge issues such as data rights and restrictions, artificial intelligence compliance, governance and implementation, intellectual property in government contracts, political law, human rights and anti-corruption, chemical risk management in manufacturing, and export controls for emerging technologies. Our team also supports our clients’ critical growth initiatives, including corporate transactions and investments, nontraditional public-private collaborations, bid protests, and government relations strategies to secure large awards. We represent defense companies in complex disputes and investigations involving contracts, product misuse, and other areas.
Deep Industry Experience
For decades, Steptoe has advised defense companies and non-defense companies alike on legal requirements governing defense technologies and services, including with respect to:
- Autonomous platforms
- Space launch vehicles, rocket engines, and satellites
- Artificial intelligence systems
- Command and control
- Engineering services
- Aircraft maintenance and repair
- Semiconductors and on-chip security
- Advisory and assistance services
- Weapon systems
- Biodefense
- Cybersecurity safeguards
This experience allows us to deliver sophisticated guidance and practical advice on industry‑grounded legal issues related to government procurement and compliance, as well as related areas such as private litigation, government enforcement, and investigations.
Close Relationships
At Steptoe, we build lasting partnerships with defense companies of all sizes, from startups to multi-billion dollar enterprises. Our team has decades of experience across the defense and intelligence communities, including with key industry partners, and has the capacity to provide actionable strategic guidance across every stage of growth, including operations, high-stakes initiatives, and mission-critical matters. We understand the unique challenges defense contractors face and deliver practical, timely advice that drives results.
Our Services
- Entry into the defense market
- Acquisition risks and strategies
- Artificial Intelligence, effective controls, and derisking implementation
- Practical, experience-based advice
- Dual-use issues and risks
- Synergies with homeland security and nuclear
- Appropriations
- Authorizations
- Defense innovation pathways
- Strategic engagement with legislative and executive contacts
- Advising on federal procurements, contract awards, and performance
- Negotiating subcontracts and agreements with government agencies
- Drafting provisions and side letters related to international regulatory compliance, political law, anti-boycott, and human rights provisions
- Bid protests and contract disputes
- Organizational conflicts of interest
- Cost disputes
- False Claims Act investigations and litigation
- Teaming, subcontract, and joint venture disputes
- Government investigations
- Mandatory and voluntary disclosures
- Government contractor defenses
- Torts, misappropriation, and competition claims
- Suspension, debarment, and criminal proceedings
- Compliance program maturity assessments, design, and implementation
- Export-control classifications and diligence
- Cybersecurity
- Sanctions
- Missile controls and foreign sales
- Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States
- National Industrial Security Program, including facility clearances and foreign ownership, control, or influence or “FOCI”
- Political law, including lobbying disclosure, the Foreign Agents Registration Act, gifts and entertainment, and campaign finance
- Anti-corruption and money laundering due diligence, compliance and enforcement
- Human rights risk assessments, due diligence, downstream monitoring and investigations
- Intellectual property in government contracting
- Data rights and restrictions
- Classified and other sensitive information controls
Representative Matters
Government Contracts
- Serving as go-to counsel for a major defense tech disruptor on all government contracting matters, including contract negotiations, IP protections, bid protests, defense policy, and national security relating to AI-driven autonomous platforms.
- Advising a defense AI company on protecting proprietary technology and navigating foreign investment restrictions in government R&D projects.
- Advising a defense technology company on government contracting compliance and intellectual property protections for autonomous aerial systems.
- Assisting a telecommunications company in receiving tens of millions of dollars in initial awards from the US Department of Defense involving its privacy and intelligence technology, named one of Time Magazine’s best inventions of 2025.
- Representing a client in multiple high-profile cost disputes with the US Department of Defense regarding the allowability of legal fees under federal cost principles, involving complex government contracts and compliance issues.
Investigations/Enforcement
- Representing an aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul company with extensive defense contracts in responding to a US Department of Justice subpoena and voluntary self-disclosure to OFAC regarding potential export control and sanctions violations.
- Advising an autonomous aerial vehicle company on US Department of Defense engagement regarding conflict of interest violations and improper sharing of a contractor’s information with a competitor.
Litigation
- Representing an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance drone company in intellectual property litigation involving US Department of Defense data rights and subcontractor teaming agreements.
- Successfully defending a US aerospace and defense services company in a bid protest challenging a US Department of Defense award to an aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul company.
CFIUS/National Security
- Advising a US autonomous vehicle developer on CFIUS jurisdiction and critical technology classification for defense contracting opportunities.
- Representing a US firearms manufacturer in securing CFIUS clearance for its sale to a foreign entity without mitigation.
- Advising an Australian defense company on CFIUS filings, foreign ownership mitigation, and facility clearance requirements for multiple transactions.
- Assisting multiple defense companies with Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) mitigation policies and engagement with the US Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) regarding facility security clearances.
- Obtaining CFIUS clearance for a US aerospace start-up’s foreign investment, enabling accelerated funding without mitigation.
Sanctions/Export Controls/ITAR
- Advising a US aerospace company on export control and ITAR compliance for anticipated international transactions involving defense articles.
- Representing a US aerospace manufacturer based in Texas on international transactions raising potential ITAR and EAR compliance issues.
- Providing strategic advice to a UK/US defense start-up on UK export control compliance and securing approved community status.
- Conducting a global ITAR compliance audit for a major aerospace company under a consent agreement with the US Department of State.
- Providing export controls advice for an aircraft purchase involving complex sanctions considerations.
Other regulatory compliance/corporate
- Advising a private aviation services platform on FAA regulatory due diligence in connection with the contemplated acquisition of military and commercial aircraft maintenance and support businesses.
- Representing a government‑focused technology provider in connection with federal marketing and business development services, including regulatory, compliance, and contracting considerations applicable to engagement with US government customers, including defense agencies.
- Advising a European aerospace company on vendor contracts for aircraft components and services.
- Advising a major multinational aerospace and defense manufacturer on EU, EEA, and UK product compliance requirements, with a focus on chemical regulation, classification, and labelling obligations under Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and related frameworks applicable to military and aerospace products.
- Advising a multinational aerospace and defense manufacturer with federal and international tax policy issues, state tax credit reconsideration, involving the qualification and substantiation of research and development activities under state law.
- Advising an autonomous technology company on legal, political, and contractual risks associated with deploying autonomous weapon systems outside the United States.
Government Engagement/Appropriations/Policy
- Advising a US-based defense systems manufacturer on engagement with the US Trade Representative in connection with the USMCA renewal process, including assessment of North American manufacturing operations and preparation of a formal comment submission addressing trade and supply-chain considerations for critical defense technologies.
- Representing an aerospace technology company in developing a US congressional, US Department of Defense, and NASA engagement strategy to support the advancement and adoption of next‑generation engine technologies.
- Representing a government contractor in connection with US congressional appropriations and authorization matters relating to specialized air‑delivery systems for defense and logistics applications.
- Advising a defense equipment manufacturer on US congressional appropriations and policy matters relating to the development and procurement of personal protective equipment and aircraft survivability solutions.
Political Law/Ethics
- Advising a company and its affiliated political action committee on US political law compliance, including obligations under the Federal Election Campaign Act and Federal Election Commission registration, reporting, and governance rules.
- Advising a US‑based aerospace company on political law compliance, including state and federal lobbying requirements, ethics rules, and campaign finance considerations.