With a strong record in the defense, aerospace, and IT sectors, Blank Rome LLP matches expertise in traditional bid protests and claims with industry-specific experience in national security, export controls, M&A transactions, and government investigations. Justin Chiarodo chairs the Washington DC-based practice, and assists clients with all facets of federal, state, and local procurement law, including FCA claims and cost accounting and audit matters. Dominique Casimir complements strength in suspension and debarment proceedings with notable bid protests work. Luke Meier is adept in bid protests and government investigations, and specializes in contracts with the Department of Energy. Scott Arnold is a stalwart in both litigation and counseling, representing industry giants like Oshkosh Defense. Elizabeth Jochum is best known in the bid protests space, and also counsels the range of prime, sub, large, and small contractors on regulatory compliance, voluntary disclosures, and investigations. Stephanie Harden fields experience in audits and claims, mandatory disclosures, and FCA and Anti-Terrorism Act litigation. Robyn Burrows, who is developing a focus on emerging supply chain and cybersecurity issues, was promoted to partner in January 2024. Brian Gocial left the firm in February 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The Blank Rome Government Contracts practice group is uncommonly business-oriented.’

  • ‘Elizabeth Jochum is my go-to partner on all government contracts matters. She has been an extended element of my legal team for years, and I trust her sensibility and practical advice more than any other outside counsel.’

  • ‘Great people, great communication, creative approaches to legal arguments.’

  • ‘Excellent communication, always available when you need them.’

  • ‘The team is responsive and receptive to ideas from in-house counsel. At the same time, they are direct and clear when they recommend a specific course of action. ’

  • ‘The individuals are very easy to work with. Luke Meier is smart and thoughtful. Dominique Casmir is a hard nosed litigator, who will not shy away from a battle when one is needed.’

  • ‘We used them for an FCA matter. They were very knowledgeable and had experience with the government agency involved. They are collaborative and sensitive.’

  • ‘Dominique Casimir and Luke Meier's legal work was excellent and they were very practical. Dominque was very responsive and available, even with the difference in time zones. She pushed back on the government lawyers, in a nice but insistent way, as they were being unreasonable. I would highly recommend them for government contract litigation.’

Key clients

  • Trident Maritime Systems
  • Korn Ferry
  • Amentum
  • The Louis Berger Group/WSP USA Inc.
  • Washington River Protection Solutions
  • Oshkosh Defense
  • CDW
  • Hanford Tank Waste Operations & Closure LLC
  • Nuclear Waste Partnership
  • Sparksoft Corporation

Work highlights

  • Represented Trident Maritime Systems in connection with the acquisition of the assets of Custom Alloy Corporation, a critical supplier to the U.S. Navy on key programs, including nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers.
  • Assisted CDW with its acquisition of Enquizit, an experienced provider of AWS cloud services.
  • Successfully represented KPMG in a bid protest before the Court of Federal Claims related to an award originally received by KPMG from the NRO but then awarded to Deloitte following a decision by the GAO.

Lawyers

Leading lawyers
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Blank Rome LLP
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.
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.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Blank Rome LLP
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

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Justin Chiarodo

Other key lawyers

Dominique Casimir, Luke Meier, Scott Arnold, Elizabeth Jochum, Stephanie Harden, Robyn Burrows, David Nadler, Michael Montalbano