Crowell & Moring's Government Contracts Group Continues Expansion

Rob Burton, Former Deputy Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, Joins Team

Washington, D.C. – April 4, 2016: Crowell & Moring LLP is pleased to announce the addition of partner Rob Burton to the firm's internationally recognized Government Contracts Group in Washington, D.C. A 30-year veteran of procurement law and policy development, Burton is the former Acting and Deputy Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), the nation's top career federal procurement official. Burton joins Crowell & Moring most recently from Venable LLP, where he was a partner in the firm's Government Contracts Group. His arrival comes on the heels of the addition of partner David Robbins, a former government Suspending and Debarring Official and Procurement Fraud Remedies Coordination Official, who joined the group in February 2016.

Burton will be taking a significant role in expanding Crowell & Moring’s government affairs capabilities and working with clients on acquisition reform legislation and regulatory changes. “Having had the pleasure of working directly with Rob during our time together at OFPP, I can attest to the fact that he is one of the most highly regarded attorneys in the government contracts community and maintains deep connections at both the congressional and agency levels,” said Angela B. Styles, Crowell & Moring chair. “Leveraging his network, Rob has developed an active government affairs practice which will be a valuable addition to our existing services and for clients advocating for reform in procurement policy and legislation.”

Additionally, Burton will assist government contractors in navigating the procurement process, including assisting contractors with their marketing strategies for selling to the government. He will continue serving as an expert witness on procurement issues in court and arbitration proceedings and will work to resolve contract issues with senior federal procurement officials. Burton will advise on the full spectrum of government contracts issues, such as contract cost disputes, suspension and debarment proceedings, internal investigations, and corporate compliance and ethics programs.

As Deputy Administrator of OFPP, Burton was responsible for the government’s acquisition policy and procurement guidance to all Executive Branch agencies. His office was charged with developing policy affecting more than $400 billion in annual federal spending – a figure that doubled during Burton’s time in office. He also served as Acting Administrator for two years during his seven-year tenure at OFPP. In this position, Burton helped develop the Administration’s policy positions and testimony on proposed acquisition legislation; worked with House and Senate committees on the development of acquisition reform proposals; and served as a principal spokesperson for government-wide acquisition initiatives. Burton’s previous experience includes serving as the executive director of the Chief Acquisition Officers Council, comprised of the Chief Acquisition Officers from the federal agencies. He also managed the activities of the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, which has statutory authority to promulgate the government's procurement regulations, and the Cost Accounting Standards Board.

Prior to joining OFPP in 2001, Burton spent over 20 years as an acquisition attorney with the Department of Defense. Most significantly, he served as the senior acquisition counsel to the Defense Contract Management Agency. In this capacity, he resolved complex cost cases and worked closely with the Defense Contract Audit Agency.

"I have had the pleasure of working with several Crowell & Moring lawyers during my tenure as a government official, and I have great respect and admiration for the work the firm has produced," Burton said. “Crowell & Moring’s Government Contracts Group is first-rate, and I look forward to helping the firm’s clients navigate through the complex issues related to federal procurement."

Burton has held several leadership positions with the American Bar Association, including co-chair of the Accounting, Cost and Pricing Committee, co-chair of the Contract Dispute Resolution Task Force, and council member of the Section of Public Contract Law. He also served on the board of directors of the National Contract Management Association. His leadership in the procurement world has earned him numerous honors, including the Federal 100 Award, the Secretary of Defense's Exceptional Civilian Service Award, the Coalition for Government Procurement’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and Federal Computer Week’s Top “Power Player in Procurement.”

Burton received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and his B.A., magna cum laude, from the College of William and Mary. He was also a Senior Executive Fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm with approximately 500 lawyers representing clients in litigation and arbitration, regulatory, and transactional matters. The firm is internationally recognized for its representation of Fortune 500 companies in high-stakes litigation, as well as its ongoing commitment to pro bono service and diversity. The firm has offices in Washington, D.C., New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orange County, Anchorage, London, and Brussels.