Nationally Recognized Government Contracts Lawyer Nicole Owren-Wiest Joins Crowell & Moring

New DC-based partner will focus on cost matters, data rights/IP, investigations, and claims

Washington – November 6, 2017: Crowell & Moring LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Nicole J. Owren-Wiest as a partner in the firm's Government Contracts Group in Washington. Owren-Wiest is a nationally recognized government contracts lawyer with more than 15 years of experience representing aerospace, defense, professional services, health care, and information technology and emerging technology companies in all aspects of federal government procurement. Her practice focuses on counseling and litigation involving cost and pricing matters, government data rights, intellectual property issues, complex investigations, contractor and government claims, and bid protests.

“Nicole is a highly regarded lawyer and thought leader in the government contracts bar, and her practice provides our Government Contracts Group a depth of knowledge in key areas, including cost accounting, data rights, and investigations,” said Philip T. Inglima, chair of the firm’s executive committee. “We are excited to welcome her to the firm.”

A notable aspect of Owren-Wiest’s practice involves government contract cost accounting, cost allowability, the Cost Accounting Standards, Truthful Cost or Pricing Data, business systems audits, and disputes with the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). Owren-Wiest represents contractors in connection with claims preparation and negotiation, terminations for convenience and default, and litigation of contract disputes before the courts and boards of contract appeals. She conducts internal investigations and defends clients in U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and inspector general investigations and audits, and handles bid protests before the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC).

Owren-Wiest was most recently a partner at Wiley Rein LLP. She previously served as corporate counsel at The Boeing Company and as an associate at Perkins Coie LLP. She has been recognized in the government contracts field by Chambers USA, Legal 500 United States, and Who’s Who Legal. 

“Nicole has successfully represented some of the largest government contractors in the world,” said Peter Eyre, co-chair of the firm’s Government Contracts Group. “The breadth of her practice makes her a great fit at Crowell & Moring.”

“Cost matters and IP issues are an area of great demand with high expectations from clients, and Nicole’s arrival fortifies our capabilities within the group,” added Daniel R. Forman, co-chair of the firm’s Government Contracts Group.      

“Crowell & Moring’s Government Contracts Group is among the most distinguished in the industry,” Owren-Wiest said. “The firm provides a broad platform to serve clients and solve their most challenging issues. I am thrilled to be here and to be working with the firm’s talented lawyers to serve existing clients and support new ones.”

Owren-Wiest earned her J.D. from Willamette University College of Law and her B.S. from Minnesota State University. She is currently the vice-chair (and former chair) of the Accounting, Cost, and Pricing Committee, and vice-chair (and former chair) of the Research & Development and Intellectual Property Committee, for the American Bar Association’s Section of Public Contract Law. Owren-Wiest is also the editor-in-chief of The Procurement Lawyer and a member of the Section’s Publications Board. She is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and Washington.

About Crowell & Moring’s Government Contracts Group

For nearly 40 years, Crowell & Moring's nationally recognized Government Contracts Group has set the standard for effective legal guidance in this highly complex arena. With approximately 60 lawyers, it is one of the largest and most reputable government contracts practices in the United States and worldwide. The group's experience covers virtually every aspect of the increasingly complex and heavily regulated government contracts and grants process, from entering the government marketplace and bidding on public contracts to complying with complex regulatory regimes and performing contracts, litigating disputes, and handling terminations. Follow the group on Twitter at @GovConCrowell.

About Crowell & Moring LLP

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, London, and Brussels.