Husch Blackwell Sanders is pleased to announce it has significantly expanded its Government Contracts practice with the addition of seven Partners in the firm's Washington, D.C., office. Six of the attorneys were formerly Partners at Wickwire Gavin, which merged with Akerman Senterfitt in 2006. The seventh attorney was a Partner at Holland & Knight.
"This team of attorneys brings a phenomenal opportunity to the firm's clients to do more business with the federal government," said the firm's Co-Chairman David A. Fenley. "With the addition of these partners, Husch Blackwell has become one of the premier providers of full service government contract representation for firms within the Am Law100."
Steven M. Kupka, Managing Partner of the firm's D.C. office, added, "Our Washington, D.C., office continues to grow to meet clients' needs, with 17 attorneys now based here. Partner and leader of our Government Contracts practice Walter A.I. Wilson joined us in 2009, and we're excited to expand our sphere of influence thanks to the impressive depth of our Government Contracts practice."
Government Contracts attorneys represent domestic and international clients in all areas of federal supply, service and construction contracts and all phases of government contracting, including bid protests, compliance with federal laws and regulations, Defense Contract Audit Agency audits, compliance audits, Federal Supply Schedule procurements, contract administration, change order negotiations, and claims and disputes.
Following are the attorneys that have joined the firm:
Daniel J. Donohue represents clients with federal and state government contracts and commercial contracts for services, supplies and construction. He advises clients on contract compliance issues and litigates claims and disputes. He represents clients in contract negotiations, bid protests, contract performance disputes and payment issues concerning government and commercial contracts. Donohue earned his J.D. from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law (1978). He earned his B.A. from College of the Holy Cross (1975).
Michael A. Gatje is a construction, government contracts and commercial litigation attorney with extensive experience representing clients in the construction, transportation, professional services, environmental and energy sectors. For more than 20 years he has represented clients in state and federal courts, boards of contract appeals, and in alternative dispute resolution proceedings. He also has extensive state and federal appellate experience. Gatje earned his J.D. from the College of William and Mary School of Law (1986). He earned his B.S., cum laude, from Vanderbilt University (1983).
Claude P. Goddard Jr. formerly led Akerman's Government Contracts team. Federal procurement law has been Goddard's focus for over 20 years. He represents clients in corporate internal fraud investigations; federal and state court actions involving false claims, subcontracts, consulting agreements and misappropriation of trade secrets; agency suspensions and debarments; government contract claims; Court of Federal Claims and Government Accountability Office (GAO) bid protests; and default terminations. Goddard earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School (1979). He earned his B.S., with distinction, from the United States Naval Academy (1974).
David P. Hendel's practice encompasses all aspects of government procurement law, with emphasis on contracts issued by the U.S. Postal Service. He represents companies ranging in size from Fortune 25 companies to sole proprietorships on matters relating to their postal contracts. His experience includes matters involving purchasing laws and rules, selection and award, protests, contract administration, contract interpretation, subcontracting, compliance, changes, equitable adjustments, claims litigation, false claims, disputes, due diligence, audits, termination and debarment. Hendel earned his J.D. from New York University School of Law (1982). He earned his B.A., magna cum laude, from Brandeis University (1979).
Hal J. Perloff focuses his practice on complex government contract and construction law matters, including bid protests, administration counseling, compliance, claims and disputes. He regularly represents prime and subcontractors in litigation before the GAO, boards of contract appeals, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and federal district courts nationwide. Perloff has extensive experience in privatization and outsourcing, having handled a broad range of pre- and post-award disputes, claims and compliance matters arising under the Military Housing Privatization Initiative. Perloff earned his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law (1994). He earned his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania (1991).
Brian P. Waagner focuses his practice on the resolution of claims and disputes arising from public and private construction projects. He represents owners, contractors, subcontractors, sureties and design professionals in all aspects of the preparation, prosecution and defense of claims, including fraud and False Claims Act issues. In addition to his bench and jury trial experience in state and federal courts and the boards of contract appeals, Waagner represents many clients in alternative dispute resolution proceedings such as arbitration and mediation. Waagner earned his J.D. from Cornell Law School (1994), where he was Managing Editor of the Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy. He earned his A.B. from the University of Georgia (1990), where he was Phi Beta Kappa.
Steven J. Weber focuses his practice on the representation of domestic and international clients in a wide range of governmental contract matters. He has represented contractors in construction cases, power projects and major infrastructure projects. Weber's experience also includes representing contractors during projects for the U.S. government both domestically and abroad. He has provided construction and government contractor clients with contract development advice and project performance counseling and has advised local contractors and developers on private construction projects, including office buildings, condominiums and mixed-use facilities. Weber earned his J.D., with honors, from George Washington University (1987). He earned his B.A. from George Washington University (1984).