John E. McCarthy, Jr. is a partner in the Government Contracts Group of the Washington, D.C. office of Crowell & Moring. John has spent more than twenty years litigating all forms of government contracts cases for both large and small government contractors, with a particular emphasis on bid protests. Because of John's strong engineering background, he has particular experience in technology related issues, including litigation regarding complex technology and data rights, patent and other intellectual property issues.
John has litigated hundreds of bid protests at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the Small Business Administration, and other U.S. government agencies as well as numerous state and local forums. John has also litigated and provided counseling on the full range of government contracts issues, including contract formation, organizational conflict of interest, patent and data rights, small business and other socioeconomic concerns, contract claims, prime/sub disputes, M&A transactions involving government contractors, as well as foreign participation in U.S. Government procurement. John has also provided counseling and defended clients in connection with allegations of fraud and false claims, including actual or threatened suspension/debarment and qui tam litigation.
In addition to his government contract practice, John has a broad array of experience in non-government contracts matters, including insurance coverage, IT outsourcing and intellectual property counseling and litigation.
Prior to joining Crowell & Moring in 1989, John worked for ten years designing and developing a variety of computer and communication systems for various companies, including IBM Corporation and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
John is a member of the bars of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, as well as various federal district and appellate courts. John is a vice-chair of the ABA Public Contract Law Section Bid Protest and Research & Development/Intellectual Property Committees. He is a co-chair of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims Government Contracts Committee.
John has written and spoken extensively on government contracts technology issues and intellectual property rights.
John received his degree in engineering science specializing in both mechanical and electrical engineering from Rockhurst College in 1976, his Master's Degree in electrical engineering from Catholic University in 1978, and his J.D. from Catholic University in 1989.
John is a member of the firm's Pro Bono Committee and makes pro bono work a constant part of his practice. John was the recipient of the John Carroll Society Pro Bono Legal Services Award.