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Overview

After more than 15 years as an attorney for the federal government and U.S. Air Force, Eric represents government contractor clients in bid protests and other litigation.

Eric represents both prime and subcontractors, grant recipients, and other organizations doing business with the U.S. government. His litigation-focused practice includes bid protests, breach of contract allegations, Contract Disputes Act litigation, fraud allegations, and other contract disputes specific to military and Department of Defense contracting. Eric also handles Fifth Amendment takings claims and international trade matters related to antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings. He routinely represents clients before the Armed Services and Civilian Boards of Contract Appeals as well as the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the U.S. Court of International Trade, the U.S Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and federal district courts nationwide. Eric also provides general legal advice and guidance to contractors.

After beginning his legal career as an Air Force judge advocate, Eric went on to serve as a litigator with the Air Force Legal Operations Agency and later as a trial attorney for the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s Commercial Litigation Branch, where he served as lead counsel for the U.S. in more than 100 commercial claims and complex government contract disputes. In his role at the DOJ, he frequently worked with Fifth Amendment takings and international trade matters, handling antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings at the Court of International Trade and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

In 2024, Eric transitioned to the private sector and joined Husch Blackwell’s Government Contracts team. He excels at trial and in court, with a gift for fielding hard questions and thinking on his feet. Eric always aims to be the most knowledgeable individual in a courtroom, and he thrives on building litigation strategies and adapting them in real time. His nine years with the DOJ found him in court frequently, and his extensive trial experience gave him ample opportunity to observe a wide variety of judges—as well as a useful perspective on how judges think through problems and decide cases. Naturally, Eric also understands how government attorneys think: having stood in their shoes, he’s fully aware of how they are likely to approach arbitration or settlement negotiations and what they need from a contractor to successfully resolve disputes.

A dedicated advocate for government contractors, Eric guides clients through litigation as efficiently as possible so that their projects can move forward.

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • Bronze Star, 2012
  • Air Force Commendation Medal, 2012, 2013, 2014
  • Joint Service Achievement Medal, 2012
  • Joint Meritorious Unit Award, 2012
  • AF Outstanding Unit Award, 2010, 2012

Education

  • J.D., Notre Dame Law School
  • B.A., Wheaton College

Admissions

  • Illinois
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • U.S. Court of International Trade
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Armed Forces

Application to practice in the District of Columbia pending; practice limited pursuant to D.C. App R. 49(c)(8), with supervision by Brain Waagner, member of the D.C. Bar.

Languages

  • Spanish, proficient
Experience
  • Served as lead counsel for the United States for commercial claims in the Court of Federal Claims, Court of International Trade, and Federal Circuit.
  • Served as lead counsel for U.S. on multiple government contract matters involving $200+ million in dispute.
  • First-chaired two-week trial involving $10+ million in dispute ultimately resulting in a finding of no liability against the United States.
  • Served as lead counsel on 140+ matters, conducted 30+ depositions, argued six appeals at the Federal Circuit, and argued numerous dispositive motions at the Court of Federal Claims and the Court of International Trade.
  • Conducted internal investigations of federal agencies' underlying decisions and external government investigations for potential fraud counter-claims and collaborated with DOJ–Frauds to pursue such claims.
  • Collaborated with, and provided pre-litigation legal advice to, various federal agencies regarding their findings prior to issuance of final decisions and claims filings.
  • Represented the United States Air Force and other DoD clients in litigation before the Government Accountability Office, the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals and the Court of Federal Claims.
  • Advised Air Force contracting officers on all phases of litigation, including assembling agency reports and administrative records, drafting contracting officer statements of fact and affidavits supporting Air Force litigation positions, and issuing contracting officer final decisions.
  • Served as legal advisor for 13 Engineering & Technology Acquisition Support Services contracts and four Professional Acquisition & Support Services contracts totaling $128 million.
  • As the sole acquisition fraud counsel at Air Force base, coordinated with federal criminal investigators and provided recommendations to the Air Force General Counsel office regarding contractor responsibility, suspension and debarment actions, and qui tam cases.
  • Served as labor and employment legal advisor to Air Force base civilian personnel office, the commander, and directors on civilian employee discipline, including reprimands, suspensions and removal; equal employment opportunity suits; unfair labor practices; and employee grievances and various union negotiations.
  • As sole ethics counselor for the 66th Air Base Group and directorates, ensured compliance with federal ethics requirements, including the Procurement Integrity Act, post-government employment counseling and financial disclosure.
  • Provided legal counsel to 15 victims of sexual assault as part of the Special Victims Counsel program and provided training to sexual assault response coordinators.
  • Conducted 35 fiscal law reviews involving over $5 million in expenditures and managed and conducted acquisitions for eight Commander Emergency Response Projects, each valued at over $500,000.
Outside the Office

Eric grew up in a highly musical family and continues to play both the violin and piano. He also enjoys reading novels; playing tennis, golf, and basketball; and rooting for Notre Dame football.

After spending six years of his childhood near Quito, Ecuador, Eric has an insatiable taste for world travel. He names his most memorable adventures as a trip to Madrid in law school and a year spent teaching elementary school in Honduras.

Most of all, Eric loves spending time with his wife and two young children.

Government Experience
  • Trial Attorney, National Courts Division; U.S. Department of Justice, Commercial Litigation Branch; 2014-2023
  • Trial Attorney, Commercial Litigation Division; Air Force Legal Operations Agency; 2013-2019
  • Chief, Labor Law, Ethics, and Fraud Division; Hanscom Air Force Base, Office of The Staff Judge Advocate; 2012-2013
  • Headquarters Assistant Staff Judge Advocate; Combined Joint Interagency Task Force (CJIATF) 435; 2011-2012
  • Assistant Staff Judge Advocate; Macdill Air Force Base, Office of The Staff Judge Advocate; 2009-2011