Alan Zeiger most recently served as the head of Blank Rome's Business Department, consisting of more than 250 attorneys practicing globally in numerous industries. He represents public and private companies and private equity funds, as well as entrepreneurs. He frequently counsels clients in the following areas: mergers and acquisitions; private equity/venture capital; joint venture transactions; and capital formation. Mr. Zeiger is recognized as a leader in corporate and M&A law. Clients say “he has the ability to find solutions to complex deal issues while maintaining the appropriate amount of protection for his client." Sources also say that "he is a great business attorney: he understands the business and how to negotiate from a pragmatic standpoint." For more information, please click here to visit Mr. Zeiger's biography.
Blank Rome LLP
Lawyers
Of Counsel Alan Kashdan focuses his practice on regulatory matters, particularly international trade regulation, including compliance with U.S. export controls and sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Department of Commerce, and U.S. Department of State. He also handles countervailing and antidumping duty actions before the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission. Additionally, Alan has experience with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States national security reviews of acquisitions of U.S. businesses by foreign persons, U.S. customs laws and regulations, U.S. anti-boycott regulation, and U.S. government rules and regulations on procurement from foreign sources. For Alan's full biography please visit Alan G. Kashdan | Blank Rome LLP.
Anthony Rapa is co-chair of Blank Rome’s International Trade practice group. A dual U.S./UK-qualified practitioner, he counsels companies, private equity sponsors, and financial institutions regarding cross-border trade, operations, and investments, drawing from on-the-ground experience spanning four continents. Anthony is a trusted adviser to clients on matters involving economic sanctions, export controls, and investment screening involving the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”). Global Investigations Review and Who’s Who Legal have recognized him as a leading practitioner, and he is a former member of the Law360 International Trade Editorial Advisory Board. Anthony has advised clients across a broad range of industries, including aerospace and defense, manufacturing, automotive, aviation and aviation-adjacent, technology/software, semiconductors, emerging technologies, telecommunications, financial, freight forwarding and logistics, and energy. Economic Sanctions Anthony advises on the full range of issues arising under economic sanctions regulations administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), including sanctions regarding Russia, China, Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela, among others. Export Controls Anthony advises on all aspects of export controls, including dual-use export controls administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) under the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”), and military export controls administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (“DDTC”) under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”). Foreign Investment Review / CFIUS Anthony advises clients on CFIUS requirements in the context of foreign investment in U.S. businesses and real estate. This includes advice regarding the extent of CFIUS jurisdiction, the intersection of the CFIUS rules and export controls, whether a CFIUS filing is required or warranted under the circumstances, and the preparation and submission of CFIUS filings. Mergers and Acquisitions Anthony has led trade and national security diligence on hundreds of transactions, valued in the tens of billions of dollars total. This includes advising on sanctions and export control risks related to the target company and its operations, negotiating transaction documents, interfacing with lenders and underwriters, and advising on CFIUS issues. Internal Investigations Anthony has led dozens of internal investigations around the world, including in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. This includes preparation and submission of voluntary disclosures to the relevant agencies (OFAC, BIS, DDTC), responding to government requests for information, and negotiation of settlements. License Requests Anthony assists clients in obtaining licenses from regulators to engage in activities requiring specific authorization, including OFAC, BIS, and DDTC licenses. Counseling Regarding Transactions/Operational Matters Anthony advises clients on day-to-day counseling matters, covering all sanctions and export control issues that may arise for a company in the ordinary course of business. This includes advice regarding potential acceptance of new orders, shipments, entry into new markets, and counterparty due diligence. Development of Compliance Programs Anthony advises clients across many industries in the implementation of trade compliance programs, including the development of policies and procedures, and related training. Compliance Audits Anthony has led compliance audits for companies seeking to evaluate their trade compliance functions, including through transaction testing, gap analysis, and domestic and international site visits. Export Control Classification Anthony assists clients in classifying their products (hardware and software) against relevant export control lists under the EAR and ITAR, including through self-classification and, as warranted, submission of classification requests to regulators. Information and Communications Technology and Services (“ICTS”) Rules Anthony has advised clients regarding the ICTS rules administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Supply Chain Diligence Anthony assists clients in conducting supply chain diligence and is familiar with compliance issues presented under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. For Anthony's full biography, please visit Anthony Rapa | Blank Rome LLP
Brad Shiffman is an accomplished attorney who concentrates his practice in the areas of securities and corporate law. Mr. Shiffman’s clients find that his accounting background has helped him identify, analyze, and better assist them in structuring transactions with complex accounting issues and with handling these issues as they arise. He has particular experience in the representation of issuers, underwriters and placement agents in connection with public and private securities offerings, including: IPOs and follow-on public offerings PIPEs and registered direct offerings SPACs and other structured blank-check offerings Baby bond offerings Perpetual and term preferred stock offerings At-the-market offerings Rights offerings Mr. Shiffman also advises clients in structuring, negotiating, and completing venture capital investments, SEC reporting and corporate law and governance matters. Mr. Shiffman has extensive experience advising investment banks in all steps of a capital markets transaction, from drafting, reviewing and negotiating engagement and retention letters, placement agent agreements, underwriting agreements, agreements among underwriters, selected dealer agreements and other syndicate documents, to advising on SEC and FINRA disclosure and regulatory issues and exchange listing issues. For more information about Mr. Shiffman, please click here to view his full biography
Senior Counsel. Equipment Leasing, Maritime, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Governance, International Trade Transactions, Maritime - Transactions & Finance, Maritime - Restructuring, Asia Practice, Finance
Dave Nadler is the co-chair of Blank Rome's government contracts practice. He focuses his practice on bid protests; government audits and investigations; the False Claims Act; contract claims and disputes; government cost, accounting, and pricing issues; the GSA Schedule; and government compliance matters, including mandatory disclosure issues. Mr. Nadler is consistently rated as one of the leading government contracts attorneys in the country. He is also a recipient of the Federal 100 award, which recognizes top executives from the government, academia, and the private sector for their contributions to the government contracts community. In 2016, he was appointed to the Government Contracts Law360 editorial advisory board. For more information about Mr. Nadler, please click here to visit his full biography.
Partner. Litigation; Regulatory Compliance; False Claims Act Investigations & Defense; Bid Protests; Aerospace, Defense, and Government Mergers & Acquisitions; Claims; Data Rights, Licensing & IP Issues in Government Contracting; Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) Task Force; Suspension & Debarment
Partner Elizabeth Jochum is an experienced litigator and counselor who represents government contractors in bid protests before the U.S. Government Accountability Office as well as the U.S. Court of Federal Claims; appeals before the Armed Services and Civilian Boards of Contract Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; and size protests, determinations, and appeals before the Small Business Administration. Elizabeth helps clients navigate the complex world of government contracts regulatory compliance to achieve their business goals. She counsels prime contractors and subcontractors on internal controls and ethics policies, changes and claim preparation, due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, and enforcement defense. She frequently assists small and large contractors in their strategic teaming efforts, including drafting and negotiating teaming agreements and subcontracts and forming mentor-protégé arrangements and related joint ventures. She represents corporations and individuals in regulatory, investigative, and trial matters involving potential civil or criminal fraud liability, including U.S. Department of Justice and Inspector General investigations, False Claims Act and procurement fraud investigations, compliance counseling, mandatory and voluntary disclosure matters, and internal investigations. For Elizabeth's full biography please visit Elizabeth N. Jochum | Blank Rome LLP
Emanuel Faust has in recent years been involved in a number of significant energy-related M&A transactions. In addition to his activity in the energy area, Mr. Faust has represented investment funds and corporations in a large number of equity and mezzanine investments in stock and asset acquisitions and related senior debt financings, complex business combinations involving mergers and exchange offers, and competitive auctions to acquire businesses. Mr. Faust has represented a wide variety of clients in a number of corporate financing transactions, ranging from public offerings and private placements of conventional debt and equity securities to novel structured finance and secured financing transactions. His practice in the project finance and joint venture areas has included representation of a major project developer in structuring and implementing equity support arrangements and equity-related financing arrangements on two major co-generation projects, including the structuring, negotiation, and issuance of privately placed rated debt. Other representative transactions include representation of a multilateral lending agency in connection with proposed loans for an infrastructure project in Russia; representation of a Fortune 250 company in establishing a joint venture with a Japanese manufacturer; representation of a non-utility subsidiary in negotiating and implementing partnership, management, equity, and debt arrangements in another major energy project; and several transactions for non-utility subsidiaries establishing joint ventures to develop energy and telecommunications projects. He has recently represented a large utility in connection with the proposed formation of a statewide transmission company. For more details, please click here to visit Mr. Faust's full biography.
Partner Eric Parnes is an accomplished litigator who focuses on advocating for and advising clients in international trade disputes and other high-stakes government-facing matters, including internal and government investigations and False Claims Act litigation. Eric represents clients in complex disputes—in court as well as before administrative agencies and arbitral tribunals—and by conducting internal investigations and advising clients on corporate compliance matters. Eric has represented clients in countervailing duty and anti-dumping investigations and administrative reviews before the U.S. Department of Commerce, injury investigations and sunset reviews before the U.S. International Trade Commission, and challenges to agency determinations before NAFTA/USMCA binational panels, the U.S. Court of International Trade, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and World Trade Organization. Eric also has extensive experience as a trial and appellate advocate in a range of substantive areas, including False Claims Act litigation, securities class actions and shareholder derivative claims, IP litigation, and commercial disputes. Eric has represented clients before the Supreme Court of the United States, five U.S. Courts of Appeal, and the highest courts in multiple states and the District of Columbia. For Eric's full biography please visit: Eric S. Parnes | Blank Rome LLP
Gary Goldenberg is the chair of Blank Rome's Business Department. He concentrates his practice in the area of business and corporate law, including: mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; private equity; venture capital; advising entrepreneurs; advising family businesses; emerging business matters; lender and borrower transactions; financing and capital-raising transactions; general corporate, partnership, and limited liability company matters; contracts; shareholder, partner, and member transactions; and, private securities matters. For more information about Mr. Goldenberg, please click here to visit his full biography.
Jim Murray is co-chair of Blank Rome’s policyholder-only insurance recovery practice, formerly the insurance practice of Dickstein Shapiro LLP. Jim is the only policyholder trial lawyer in the country who is a Fellow of both the American College of Trial Lawyers (“ACTL”) and the American College of Coverage Counsel (“ACCC”). He has litigated cases in 24 states for top-tier corporate clients and has represented individuals and an array of religious institutions and government entities. Jim’s industry recognitions span more than 20 years. Jim is ranked nationally in insurance by Chambers USA as well as in Band 1 in Washington, D.C. Best Lawyers named him its 2020 “Lawyer of the Year” for Insurance Litigation in Washington, D.C. BTI Consulting Group designated him a 2019 “Client Service All-Star.” The National Law Journal named Jim a “D.C. Trailblazer” in 2020 and, in 2017, a “Plaintiffs’ Lawyers Trailblazer” (one of 15 nationally in all practices areas). In both 2020 and 2017, the National Law Journal named Blank Rome as the D.C. Litigation Department of the Year for Insurance. Law360 has twice named him an MVP in Insurance Coverage. For 2022 through 2024, Lexology, Inc. named him the “Exclusive Winner of the Client Choice Award for Insurance & Reinsurance for the USA” (finalists can only be nominated by corporate counsel). Jim served on the District of Columbia State Committee of the ACTL for five years. Membership in the ACTL is extended only by invitation, after extensive investigation, to those trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility, and collegiality. He is also listed in the National Trial Lawyers’ “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” for the District of Columbia (Civil) and was selected as a member of the Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel (“NADC”) in 2022. For more information about Mr. Murray, please click here to view his full biography.
Jason Eig represents clients in real estate, finance, and general corporate transactional matters, having served as lead counsel in domestic and international senior credit and mezzanine financings; real estate development, acquisition, disposition and financing transactions; sale/leasebacks; joint ventures; leveraged buyouts; and mergers, acquisitions, and financial restructurings. His representations span a variety of industries and disciplines with a particular focus in the industrial, financial services, healthcare, hospitality, and energy/commodities sectors. For Mr. Eig's full biography, please click here.
Of Counsel Jason Frye represents corporate policyholders in coverage litigation and counsels corporate policyholders on developing successful strategies to resolve their complex insurance coverage disputes. Jason has significant experience serving as lead counsel in lawsuits before state and federal courts and arbitration panels, representing clients in complex insurance coverage, contract, and commercial lease disputes—with a focus on creative, cost-effective strategies to resolve disputes before litigation ensues. He also handles business torts, fiduciary duty claims, fraudulent conveyance actions, contested commercial foreclosures, and disputes arising under the Bankruptcy Code and the Uniform Commercial Code. For Jason's full biography please visit Jason A. Frye | Blank Rome LLP
Jeanne Grasso focuses her practice on maritime, international, and environmental law for clients worldwide. Ms. Grasso counsels owners and operators of vessels, charterers, cargo owners, and facilities, including manufacturing facilities, both marine-side and inland. Her practice involves: regulatory compliance counseling related to the U.S. Coast Guard; Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and Maritime Administration, among other federal and state agencies, including providing advice regarding ballast water, air emissions, EPA’s Vessel General Permit, and maritime security internal and grand jury investigations defense of administrative, civil, and criminal enforcement actions counseling on risk mitigation strategies related to pollution incidents around the world maritime environmental compliance and training in connection with federal and state requirements pollution incident response coastwise trade matters identifying administrative and legislative solutions in connection with maritime and environmental compliance challenges For more information on Ms. Grasso, please click here to view her full biography
Partner. Maritime, Environmental, Maritime - Environmental, Maritime - Litigation.
Co-Chair of International Trade Practice Joanne E. Osendarp advises and represents governments, industry associations, export credit agencies, and companies in international trade and investment matters, including countervailing duty, antidumping, and other trade remedy proceedings before the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission, as well as appeals to the Court of International Trade, the World Trade Organization, and panels under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Joanne has also represented governments in investment arbitrations, state-to-state arbitrations, and international trade negotiations. She is currently assisting the UK government in its negotiation of five free trade agreements, including the UK-Mexico, UK-India, and UK- Canada Agreements, as well as working with the UK on its accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Joanne has distinguished herself in international legal circles as Canada’s principal U.S.-based lawyer in its high-profile, ongoing softwood lumber dispute with the United States, called the “biggest trade battle on the planet” by The Economist. Chambers Global recognizes her as having “Foreign Expertise in Canada.” She has been described by her clients as “a senior experienced trade lawyer of international repute blessed with superb judgment.” For Joanne's full biography please visit Joanne E. Osendarp | Blank Rome LLP
John Kimball concentrates his practice in the areas of admiralty and maritime law and commercial litigation. He has more than 30 years’ experience both domestically and internationally and counsels clients regarding maritime matters, including: maritime casualties, including ship collisions, sinkings, groundings, explosions, and fires charterparty disputes insurance coverage disputes creditors’ rights bankruptcy and insolvency mass tort litigation maritime environmental law, including oil spills maritime salvage and general average cases maritime piracy cases general commercial litigation For more information on Mr. Kimball, please click here to view his full biography
Partner. Maritime, Maritime - Government Relations, Policy & Political Law, Maritime - Environmental, Maritime - Regulatory Compliance.
Justin is partner and Chair of Blank Rome's nationally ranked Government Contracts Practice. He focuses his practice on all aspects of federal, state, and local procurement law. He has spent his entire career helping leading and emerging government contractors successfully navigate high-stakes litigation, compliance, and regulatory matters. Recent engagements include the successful defense of a $300 million sole-source award under a requirements contract for a major tactical wheeled vehicle program, managing the government contracts aspects of the $380 million sale of a defense electronic systems manufacturer, and defeating a $10 million False Claims Act suit based on the public disclosure bar. Justin’s experience extends to the full range of issues contractors encounter in the public sector marketplace, including bid protests, government investigations, contract claims and disputes, cost accounting and audit matters, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, suspension and debarment, and False Claims Act defense. In his role as practice Chair, Justin leads a team of 25 professionals, with a singular focus on client service. Justin was recently recognized as a client service All-Star by BTI Consulting Group (one of only three Government Contracts lawyers nationally) and selected by Law360 as a Government Contracts MVP for 2020. Chambers USA notes that Justin is “[c]alled ‘an emergent presence in the government procurement law space.’” Chambers also states that sources say he “is a fantastic lawyer who is very responsive and understands how to resolve complex issues in a timely manner” and that he “is highly skilled and knowledgeable, with the ability to oversee a complex process with agility.” Please click here to view Mr. Chiarodo's full biography.
Justin Lavella is a partner in Blank Rome’s policyholder-only insurance recovery practice, formerly the insurance practice of Dickstein Shapiro LLP. Justin focuses his practice on representing corporate policyholders, debtors’ and creditors’ committees, professional partnerships, federal employees, and other parties in insurance coverage disputes relating to the full spectrum of insurable losses, including mass tort liabilities, directors’ and officers’ liabilities, professional errors and omissions liabilities, employee theft, product contamination and recall, and first-party property damage. He represents companies in all aspects of risk management and insurance recovery, including litigation, arbitration, mediation, and bankruptcy proceedings, as well as counseling clients regarding prospective insurance placement. Justin is a versatile litigator and negotiator with experience handling a wide array of insurance disputes. He has worked with companies and professional partnerships seeking coverage for mass tort claims, including asbestos, environmental contamination, and lead paint claims, as well as various directors’ and officers’ liabilities and professional errors and omissions claims. He was involved in insurance litigation related to interrogation services provided at Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison. He also served as counsel in a professional errors and omissions case involving a high-profile lobbying matter. Justin also has experience with deal-specific or industry-specific insurance policies, including representations and warranties insurance and food contamination insurance. He represented several federal employees in securing insurance coverage for the costs associated with congressional, agency, and criminal investigations. In the realm of bankruptcy, Justin has worked with creditors’ committees, debtors, as well as the former directors and officers of debtors, to secure insurance coverage for alleged business torts and mass tort liabilities. He has also advised policyholders on issues involving first-party losses, including property damage from natural disasters, business interruption losses, data breaches, and employee theft. Justin also maintains a vibrant consulting aspect to his practice concerning the placement and underwriting of insurance coverage, with particular emphasis on directors’ and officers’ liability and errors and omissions liability policies. In this aspect of his practice, he has advised numerous Fortune 500 companies regarding coverage enhancements available in the insurance marketplace. For more information on Mr. Lavella, please click here for his full biography
Keith Letourneau focuses his practice on maritime and energy transactions and litigation matters, including: contract negotiations and disputes vessel arrests & attachments collisions and allisions oil and hazardous materials pollution complex commercial litigation OCSLA transactions and disputes oilfield contracts insurance coverage opinions cargo damage Mr. Letourneau’s government contract experience includes shipyard bid protests, labor standards disputes, appeals of contracting officers’ final decisions before boards of contract, as well as solicitation and bid reviews and evaluations. He has also defended document-intensive shipyard and oil rig repair contract disputes. For more information about Mr. Letourneau, please click here to view his full biography
Kenneth Morrow concentrates his practice on corporate and securities law, with an emphasis on transactions. He has served as corporate counsel to a number of private and publicly traded corporations of a range of sizes and in a variety of industries. He has represented clients in connection with corporate restructurings, reorganizations and re-incorporations, equipment acquisitions, and sales of specialized products. Furthermore, Mr. Morrow has advised a variety of companies regarding compliance with federal securities laws and has represented issuers and selling stockholders in initial public offerings and other primary and secondary offerings of securities. For more information, please click here to visit Mr. Morrow's full biography.
Kyle Brinkman is a partner in Blank Rome’s policyholder-only insurance recovery practice. He helps companies and their directors and officers understand and obtain payment from their insurance coverage—from preemptive analysis of coverage for potential risks, to claim advocacy and negotiation, through alternative dispute resolution and litigation. Having focused his practice exclusively on insurance recovery from day one of his legal career, Kyle has helped clients understand and resolve coverage disputes involving nearly all major commercial insurance types. For Kyle's full biography please visit Kyle P. Brinkman | Blank Rome LLP
Partner. Maritime; Maritime - Litigation; International Litigation, Defense, and Arbitration; Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) Task Force.
Linsey Bozzelli is the vice chair of Blank Rome's corporate, M&A, and securities practice group. She concentrates her practice in the area of business and corporate law, including: mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; private equity and venture capital funding transactions; general corporate, partnership, and limited liability company transactions and counseling; transactional and day to day legal and strategic consulting for clients in the fashion, design, and branding industries; joint ventures and strategic alliances; financing transactions; business formation and planning; contract drafting and negotiations; and, counseling and formation of nonprofit organizations. For more information about Ms. Bozzelli, please click here to visit her full biography.
Partner Lisa M. Campisi represents corporate policyholder clients in high-profile insurance coverage disputes. She brings more than 25 years of experience as a trusted high-level adviser to her clients in all insurance-related areas of their businesses. She has wide-ranging experience in litigating insurance coverage cases, and has been retained as an insurance litigator, adviser, and counselor for a broad array of clients, including financial services firms, private equity firms and their portfolio companies, hedge funds, and numerous Fortune 100 companies. Chambers USA notes that clients describe Lisa as “‘very smart, creative and hard-working,’” and also praise her “‘very practical and common-sense approach.’” She counsels and litigates insurance coverage issues for clients across virtually all types of insurance coverage, including: Directors’ and Officers’/Management Liability (“D&O”) Errors and Omissions (“E&O”) Professional liability Representations and warranty (“R&W”) Cyber liability including data breach and privacy Employment practices liability (“EPL”) Fiduciary liability Environmental, toxic tort, and product liability General liability Trade credit Political risk Cargo Crime Fidelity bond In addition to her extensive litigation experience, Lisa also has broad experience in advising on underwriting, claims handling, and other insurance-related and risk management issues. Such experience applies to both domestic and foreign markets and includes providing advice on all insurance aspects of mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, and other transactions, including providing consultation and advice in the placement and negotiation of transactional-related coverage. For more information on Ms. Campisi, please click here to view her full biography.
Louis Rappaport concentrates his practice on business and corporate matters, with specific emphasis on emerging and middle market businesses. Mr. Rappaport advises clients in a wide range of industries in the following areas: mergers and acquisitions venture capital and private equity funding transactions securities offerings corporate finance matters strategic alliances and joint ventures intellectual property/technology licensing and transfer matters executive employment and compensation matters business formation and planning In addition to his Corporate M&A practice, Mr. Rappaport chairs the Blank Rome Venture Group, which serves emerging and venture backed companies and their financing sources. Since 1997, Mr. Rappaport has served as a lecturer for a number of courses at Villanova University School of Law, including "Business Acquisitions" and "Counseling Emerging Businesses." For more information about Mr. Rappaport, please click here to view his full biography.
Partner Luke Meier is a seasoned litigator and counselor with wide-ranging experience in government procurement law. He represents contractors in contract disputes and claims, bid protests, and False Claims Act litigation. He has extensive experience in contracts with the Department of Energy, and has managed a variety of matters for contractors across the DOE complex—including responses to audits, whistleblower complaints, and Civil Investigative Demands; cost allowability disputes; claims; bid protests; and prime/subcontractor disputes—at sites including Hanford, Oak Ridge, Savannah River, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, and several National Laboratories. Luke has deep familiarity with the legal services requirements of 10 C.F.R. 719 and issues unique to M&O contractors. Luke has managed the response to numerous DCAA and IG audits, and has successfully defended several government contractors from allegations of fraudulent mischarging. Luke’s regulatory compliance counseling includes advice regarding the Buy American and Trade Agreements Acts, GSA schedule contracting, and ethics and internal controls requirements. His litigation experience includes complex commercial disputes in federal court and scores of bid protests before the Government Accountability Office and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Prior to law school, Luke worked for a major defense contractor as an on-site consultant at the Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Domestic Preparedness.
Malcolm Ross focuses his practice primarily on the representation of U.S. and non-U.S. companies, or their underwriters, in the private and public offering of securities, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances, and debt restructurings. In addition, he has experience in the areas of private equity, the representation of special committees of boards of directors, and general corporate advice to public companies, including regarding corporate governance. He also has particular industry experience in the telecommunications and wine and spirits supply and distribution businesses. For more information about Mr. Ross, please click here to visit his full biography.
Partner Mary Craig Calkins has more than 35 years of experience handling and litigating all aspects of insurance recovery for policyholders in complex, high-value matters. She has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for companies and individuals under directors and officers liability, management liability, and professional errors and omissions policies through litigation, arbitration, and mediation, and facilitated settlement of some of the most complicated directors and officers liability issues in the country. Mary has substantial experience in other areas of insurance recovery, including entertainment and intellectual property claims, securities, cyber liabilities, e-commerce and technology claims, labor and employment claims, construction defects, first party property and business interruption losses, FinTech, and broker liability claims. She also advises in-house counsel, senior executives, and company management on how to maximize insurance protection and recovery under primary and excess policies. Chambers USA notes Mary is a “market leader” who has been praised as “best in class in insurance recovery matter—she is dedicated, creative, authoritative and knows how to drive results.” “She’s as good as they come and wonderful to work with through complicated insurance issues.” “Mary is an outstanding guide and advocate—I recommend her without any reservations.” “Mary is fantastic, clients love her.” She is a past president of the American College of Coverage Counsel, an honorary association recognizing the preeminent coverage lawyers in the nation, and is a past chair of the Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee of the American Bar Association Litigation Section. She has been ranked repeatedly in insurance by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers, and other national and international ranking associations. She also has served as an arbitrator and expert witness, and frequently lectures and publishes on a wide variety of topics relating to directors and officers liability coverage and other litigation topics. She also currently serves as national Revenue Officer and member of the Executive Committee of the ABA Litigation Section. For Mary's full biography please visit Mary Craig Calkins | Blank Rome LLP
Michael Bell concentrates his practice in complex maritime litigation and corporate transactions. He has more than 40 years of experience, both domestically and internationally, counseling shipping companies, oil service companies, major petrochemical producers, refiners, offshore construction companies, and terminal operators in various matters, including: maritime casualties, including ship collisions, sinkings, groundings, explosions, and fires charterparty disputes insurance coverage disputes coastwise trade negotiating and drafting complex maritime agreements, including vessel construction, purchase and sale; time, voyage and bareboat charterparties; towage; contracts of affreightment; bills of lading; master services agreements; general terms and conditions; indemnity and insurance provisions general commercial litigation maritime environmental law, including oil spills maritime general average cases maritime piracy cases OCSLA transactions, disputes and oilfield contracts For Mr. Bell's full biography, please click here
Associate Michael J. Montalbano represents government contractors in a variety of litigation and counseling matters, including: Bid protests before the Government Accountability Office (“GAO”), U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit Industrial security audits and compliance with the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (“NISPOM”) Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program Litigation under the False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute Contract disputes Freedom of Information Act requests Compliance issues and internal investigations involving various federal regulatory requirements, such as the mandatory disclosure rule, the NISPOM, small business regulations, the Procurement Integrity Act, the Services Contract Act, the False Claims Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and gift and gratuity regulations Michael has extensive bid protest litigation experience before the GAO and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. His bid protest experience includes both successfully protesting and defending the award of major contracts, as well as securing favorable corrective action for contractors challenging agency award decisions. Michael also has experience before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, where, in 2018, he helped obtain the complete reversal of a lower court decision. As a result of the reversal, his client was allowed to re-compete in a five-billion-dollar procurement. Michael also assists government contractors and their investors in evaluating and structuring mergers, acquisitions, and investments involving government contractors and government contracts. His experience includes small business program eligibility; due diligence; facility and personnel security matters; the mitigation of foreign ownership, control, and influence; and Anti-Assignment Act and novation matters. For Michael's full biography please visit Michael Joseph Montalbano | Blank Rome LLP.
Partner A highly skilled litigator with more than 20 years’ experience, Natasha counsels a wide breadth of clients, including corporations, investment funds, universities and high schools, religious institutions, non-profits, and individuals, on issues in connection with a broad range of insurance coverage claims and disputes. Natasha regularly appears in state and federal courts across the country and in arbitration, representing her clients on matters related to insurance recovery, employment practices liability insurance (“EPLI”), and sexual abuse coverage. She has also handled several general commercial litigation disputes concerning broker malpractice, breach of contract, securities, and tort claims. Natasha is highly ranked in insurance by Chambers USA - New York and in Legal 500 United States. For Natasha's full biography please visit Natasha Romagnoli | Blank Rome LLP
Partner. Equipment Leasing; International Trade; Maritime; Mergers & Acquisitions; Capital Markets; Corporate Governance; Maritime - Transactions & Finance; Maritime - Restructuring; Finance;Aerospace, Defense, and Government Mergers & Acquisitions
Richard Conway is a partner in Blank Rome's government contracts practice. He focuses his practice on issues primarily related to information technology hardware, software, systems and services, technology development and production, qui tam litigation, healthcare matters, engineering services, and the development and lease of buildings and space for the U.S. government. Mr. Conway has represented hardware manufacturers, software vendors, systems integrators, developers and lessors, specialty contractors, and providers of related services. He has litigated in virtually every forum available to government contractors, including the U.S. Federal District Courts, U.S. Courts of Appeal, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the Armed Services Board of Appeals, the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, the U.S. Government Accountability Office, and state courts nationwide. For more information, please click here to visit Mr. Conway's full biography.
Partner Robyn Burrows represents clients on a wide range of government contracts matters. Robyn has experience preparing and negotiating complex claims and has litigated disputes before the boards of contract appeals and state and federal courts. Robyn has a particular focus on emerging supply chain and cybersecurity issues and has counseled numerous clients on Section 889 compliance. She also provides counseling on cost/pricing issues, domestic preferences, protection of contractor data and intellectual property, and suspension and debarment matters. Robyn has experience navigating clients through False Claims Act investigations and regularly assists clients in high value bid protests before the Government Accountability Office and U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Robyn has also developed particular experience with Department of Energy contracts, and has handled matters involving whistleblower complaints, civil investigative demands, subcontractor disputes, cost-allowability issues, and other unique DOE requirements applying to M&O contractors. She recently assisted in successfully representing an M&O contractor in resolving a significant subcontractor termination dispute in federal district court. For Robyn's full biography please visit Robyn N. Burrows | Blank Rome LLP.
Scott Arnold is a partner in Blank Rome's government contracts practice. He concentrates his practice in all areas of government contracts law, including litigation and counseling matters. Mr. Arnold has extensive experience in bid protests and claims litigation, prime contractor/subcontractor disputes, suspensions and debarments, internal investigations and False Claims Act litigation, development and presentation of compliance programs and training, and counseling about government contracts, foreign military sales, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and export control issues. For more detailed information, please click here to visit Mr. Arnold's full biography.
Partner Stephanie M. Harden has extensive experience representing government contractors in a wide array of litigation and counseling matters and has been recognized as a Law360 Rising Star in the area of government contracts. Stephanie's experience includes: Bid Protests: Stephanie is a seasoned bid protest litigator, having litigated numerous protests before the Government Accountability Office (“GAO”), the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Stephanie’s protest experience includes both protesting and defending agency award decisions in procurements of all sizes, including numerous multibillion-dollar procurements. Two of Stephanie’s significant protest wins are Lockheed Martin Corp. v. United States, 124 Fed. Cl. 709 (2016) (successfully defeating preliminary injunction alleging a range of protest allegations in major defense procurement) and AllWorld Language Consultants, Inc. (2016 CPD ¶ 12) (sustained protest of GSA Schedule contract award where putative awardee’s FSS contract did not meet solicitation requirements). Mandatory Disclosures: Stephanie assists clients in navigating the FAR’s Mandatory Disclosure Rule and other regulatory disclosure requirements. Cost and Pricing Matters: Stephanie regularly counsels clients on responding to government audits (including by DCAA, DCMA, and SIGAR), the submission of Requests for Equitable Adjustments and claims, defective pricing matters, and claims litigation before the Boards of Contract Appeals. Stephanie has helped clients recover millions of dollars of costs in these matters. Stephanie regularly speaks and writes on cost accounting and pricing issues and currently serves as a Co-Chair on the American Bar Association’s Accounting, Cost and Pricing Committee. False Claims Act (“FCA”) Litigation: Stephanie has extensive experience with FCA litigation, particularly cases involving complex government contracting principles. Internal Investigations/Compliance: Stephanie has counseled clients on compliance matters and internal investigations involving all manner of federal regulatory requirements, including small business regulations, the Service Contract Act, the FAR’s Combatting Trafficking in Persons (“CTIPs”) requirements, the Anti-Kickback Act, and gift and gratuity regulations. For Stephanie's full biography, please visit Stephanie M. Harden | Blank Rome LLP