Paul Khoury and Scott McCaleb Quoted in PubKLaw Spotlight of Wiley Rein Government Contracts Practice

March 24, 2017

Paul F. Khoury and Scott M. McCaleb, co-chairs of Wiley Rein’s Government Contracts Practice, were extensively quoted in a March 24 PubKLaw Daily Digest article profiling the prominent Team. Naming Wiley Rein as a “leader in the field,” the article highlights the Government Contracts Practice’s rich history, starting with its founding 30 years ago by partner Rand L. Allen. “Rand envisioned Wiley Rein as the go-to practice for ‘bet-the-company’ situations, where there’s a complex problem or a deep issue requiring innovation,” Mr. Khoury said. “We’ve achieved that reputation, and will continue that model. There are only a few firms with that capability and we always want to be on that list—where general counsel will tell their boards, ‘this is where we want to go.’”

As a “go-to firm” for government contractors, Wiley Rein’s has developed a deep bench of talent, employing more than 40 attorneys and consultants who advise contractors of all sizes in virtually all sectors. “It’s important for our attorneys to work across areas, but they are encouraged to specialize,” Mr. Khoury said. “The result is a deep expertise in other niche areas.” This approach has led to some key, historic victories, including winning a multibillion-dollar contract for an aerial refueling tanker program on behalf of client Boeing after a successful bid protest against a competitor. 

The firm also specializes in bid protests for government contractors in classified matters. “A lot of our most important work occurs in the classified areas,” Mr. McCaleb noted. “We’re one of the few firms with multiple people with clearances at the right levels.” Because these matters are confidential, client requests can take the firm’s attorneys into new areas of the law. “There’s often no precedent for how these issues should be resolved, but our clients trust us to resolve them,” added Mr. McCaleb.

Anticipating potential regulatory and compliance changes in the federal contracting sector is always a challenge with any change in a presidential administration. “While people are trying to predict how things will shake out, that would be a fool’s errand,” Mr. Khoury said. “Our clients need us to be vigilant in figuring out where things are going in the new Administration.”