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Adelicia R. Cliffe

Partner | She/Her/Hers
Partner | She/Her/Hers
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Areas of Focus

Overview

Addie Cliffe helps companies in a broad range of industries — from professional services, software, and technology to traditional defense contracting — navigate the complex requirements around doing business with the U.S. government, with a particular focus on cross-border and national security issues. In addition, Addie advises clients on regulatory issues related to foreign investment in the United States, representing clients with respect to national security reviews by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and measures to mitigate foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI mitigation).

Addie is known for providing practical, business-forward guidance across a broad range of counseling, transactional, and litigation matters with respect to government contracts, international trade, and national security. She helps companies new to the government contracting space stand up robust compliance programs, and she helps long-standing government contractors enhance their compliance programs and address some of the most complex regulatory requirements, including domestic preferences, supply chain security, and industrial security related to classified contracting.

In addition, Addie has substantial experience representing contractors in internal and external investigations, voluntary and mandatory disclosures, and responding to government investigations and claims. Clients regularly rely on her to help them navigate and resolve issues, including with respect to Federal Supply Schedules with the General Services Administration, export controls under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, the Buy American Act, and the Trade Agreements Act.

Addie has deep experience in M&A and transactions for both the buy side (strategic and private equity) and sell side, leading government contracts and national security due diligence, and advising on the special regulatory requirements related to government contracting, cross-border investment, and national security issues. She takes a holistic approach to transactions, providing strategic guidance from the early stages through integration.

Addie is a co-chair of the Government Contracts Practice, co-chairs the firm’s National Security team, and is co-chair of the Talent Development Committee. She is nationally ranked by Chambers USA in Government Contracts, and was recognized in 2024 by DCA Live as one of the NEW Power Women of GovCon.

Career & Education

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    • Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, B.S., 1998
    • The George Washington University Law School, J.D., with high honors, The Order of the Coif, 2006
    • Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, B.S., 1998
    • The George Washington University Law School, J.D., with high honors, The Order of the Coif, 2006

    • District of Columbia
    • Maryland
    • District of Columbia
    • Maryland

    • French
    • Spanish
    • French
    • Spanish
Adelicia is extremely knowledgeable in many areas of government contracting and always has great advice and judgment in tricky situations. She is extremely responsive and always knows how to get us the right answer.

—

Chambers USA

Addie's Insights

Webinar | 01.23.25

Trump Administration and What it Means for Businesses Outside the US

On 23 January 2025 at 16:00 CET, Crowell will host a webinar on the new Trump Administration and what it means for businesses outside the US. It will focus, in particular, on the Trump Administration’s policy objectives, how they will be implemented, and the legal and real-world impacts. By the date of the webinar, the new Trump Administration is expected to have issued its first Executive Orders, and there will be more clarity on their scope and content.  

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Representative Matters

Government Contracts Counseling

  • Assisted clients in the development, enhancement, and implementation of compliance programs.
  • Provided on-site training for companies on a range of issues, including ethics and compliance issues and basics of government contracting.
  • Counseled clients regarding mandatory disclosure obligations and related regulatory reporting processes.
  • Assisting clients in obtaining and maintaining facility clearances and compliance with the National Industrial Security Program regulations, including issues around the mitigation of foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI).
  • Counseled clients on issues related to supply chain security and sourcing restrictions.
  • Counseled clients on compliance with the Buy American Act, Trade Agreements Act, and other domestic preference regimes (e.g., the various Department of Transportation agencies’ Buy America requirements, the IIJA Buy America requirements, domestic content requirements applicable to Foreign Military Financing).
  • Counseled clients on compliance with GSA Schedule compliance issues.

Government Contracts Due Diligence and Transactions

  • Performed government contracts and international trade diligence, for both buyers and sellers, representing government contractors in a range of industries, such as Accenture Federal Services and HP Company.
  • Advised clients on special regulatory requirements related to cross-border investment and national security matters, including reviews conducted by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), compliance with the National Industrial Security Program and mitigation of Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI mitigation).
  • Provided guidance on government contracts and trade issues in the integration of newly acquired companies into the buyer’s organization, such as the execution of novation agreements and the transfer of export authorizations.

Government Contracts Litigation and Investigations

  • Assisted contractors in performing internal investigations and defending against Government investigations into various compliance issues (e.g., non-compliance with domestic preferences, special requirements related to FMF-funded contracts, GSA Schedule pricing requirements).
  • Assisted contractors in drafting and settling voluntary, directed, and mandatory disclosures.
  • Assisted clients in bringing claims against government customers, responding to cure notices, and defending against terminations for default.
  • Represented contractors in investigations related to the civil False Claims Act.

Addie's Insights

Webinar | 01.23.25

Trump Administration and What it Means for Businesses Outside the US

On 23 January 2025 at 16:00 CET, Crowell will host a webinar on the new Trump Administration and what it means for businesses outside the US. It will focus, in particular, on the Trump Administration’s policy objectives, how they will be implemented, and the legal and real-world impacts. By the date of the webinar, the new Trump Administration is expected to have issued its first Executive Orders, and there will be more clarity on their scope and content.  

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Insights

Webinar | 01.23.25

Trump Administration and What it Means for Businesses Outside the US

Podcast | 12.04.24

Special Edition of the Fastest 5 Minutes: New Administration – Domestic Preferences and Supply Chain Security

Client Alert | 7 min read | 11.27.24

CFIUS Finalizes Regulations to Increase Penalties, Expand Subpoena Authority, and Enhance Enforcement Authorities to Protect National Security

Client Alert | 2 min read | 11.19.24

Six Years in the Making, DoD Releases Proposed Rule Requiring Disclosure of Foreign Review of Code for IT, Cybersecurity, Critical Infrastructure, and Weapons System Products and Services
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Practices

Addie's Insights

Webinar | 01.23.25

Trump Administration and What it Means for Businesses Outside the US

On 23 January 2025 at 16:00 CET, Crowell will host a webinar on the new Trump Administration and what it means for businesses outside the US. It will focus, in particular, on the Trump Administration’s policy objectives, how they will be implemented, and the legal and real-world impacts. By the date of the webinar, the new Trump Administration is expected to have issued its first Executive Orders, and there will be more clarity on their scope and content.  

View All Insights