Insights

Brian Tully McLaughlin, a Washington, D.C.-based counsel in Crowell & Moring's Government Contracts Group, talks with Federal News Radio host Tom Temin on the "Federal Drive" program about the Supreme Court's ruling in favor of defense contractor KBR Inc. in a False Claims Act (FCA) whistleblower suit brought by a former employee. McLaughlin described the facts of the case and noted that it is not unusual for these types of FCA cases to take a long time. He noted that "this is a ruling that defense contractors will be very happy with because it means that the tolling period is not suspended, and that whistleblowers have a duty to bring their claims forward in a timely way."

Los Angeles-based attorneys, Mark R. Troy, Jeffrey H. Rutherford, and Mana Elihu Lombardo were recognized for one of the Daily Journal's top verdicts of 2014 for their representation of Lockheed Martin in the U.S. ex. rel. Hopper v. Lockheed Martin Corp. case. After a six-day trial in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles, a jury unanimously found in favor of Lockheed Martin Corporation in a lawsuit filed under the qui tam provisions of the civil False Claims Act.

Washington, D.C.-based Government Contacts Group partner, Peter Eyre, talks to Law360 regarding a final rule that will tighten restrictions on human trafficking in government contracting. Under its requirements, all contractors must disclose working conditions to employees, are barred from confiscating passports or other immigration documents, must ensure that workers aren't being charged any recruitment fees, and must provide the worker with return transportation for non-nationals. "I think another big question is: 'Who pays for this?'" Eyre said. "There are some very specific obligations, both the compliance plan ... and others. But who is going to pay for that?"

The firm's Government Contracts Group is featured for earning Law360's "Government Contracts Group of the Year Award," highlighting the Group as a widely heralded industry go-to and noting the firm's recent wins for Lockheed Martin Corp. and BAE Systems. Washington, D.C.-based Government Contract Group co-chairs, Angela B. Styles and Daniel R. Forman, discuss with Law360 the background of the Group and the deep bench of experienced attorneys from associates to partners which sets the Group apart from others. "We have folks on our legal team who are former military personnel, former engineers and software developers, and in addition to being at the top of their game on the legal side, they can speak multiple languages and talk to both general counsel and engineers, and that's an important facet of our practice," Forman states. Styles reiterates, "We're continually able to serve clients with the right lawyer, right experience, [and] right skill set."