Nick Peterson

Nick defends companies against government enforcement actions and whistleblower claims. He also advises clients on potential civil and criminal exposure, ethics and compliance matters, litigation risks, issues involving artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and other strategic concerns. He has represented a diverse array of clients ranging from major government contractors to nonprofit organizations, and companies operating in the environmental, aviation, healthcare, technology, and consumer product sectors.

Representative Matters

• Represented large government contractor in qui tam case involving whistleblower allegations that the contractor violated the False Claims Act (FCA) and human trafficking laws with respect to certain timekeeping and employment practices.
• Defended major defense contractor in Army Civil Investigative Division (CID) and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigations regarding the maintenance and repair of military equipment in Europe.
• Conducted internal investigation of major non-profit organization in response to whistleblower allegations regarding impropriety related to the receipt of federal and state grants.
• Advised management consulting and technology firm regarding potential disputes involving non-disclosure and teaming agreements.
• Represented nuclear facility operator in parallel criminal and civil investigations regarding whistleblower allegations of timekeeping fraud.
• Defended facility operations and maintenance company in qui tam litigation involving alleged FCA violations stemming from the receipt of service-disabled veteran owned (SDVO) small business contracts.
• Defended government contractor in a DOJ investigation regarding allegations that the contractor was ineligible for small business set-aside contracts.
• Represented information technology company regarding allegations of fraud related to Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) audits.
• Conducted internal investigation for defense contractor regarding allegations of bribery, kickbacks and potential exposure under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in performance of a contract in Kuwait.
• Represented defense contractor in Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) investigation into costs incurred in the performance of a U.S. government contract in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.
• Defended translation and interpretation company in a putative class action regarding the Defense Base Act (DBA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Counseled executive of global logistics agency in parallel criminal and civil investigations regarding alleged violations of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations.
• Represented multiple consumer product retailers in enforcement actions brought by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding alleged violations of hazardous materials regulations.

Professional Experience

• Hazardous Materials Specialist, Special Agent, Federal Aviation Administration (2002-2004)
• Civil Aviation Security Specialist, Special Agent, Transportation Security Administration (2002)

Affiliations

• Federal Bar Association (FBA), Qui Tam Section
• American Bar Association (ABA), White Collar Crime Committee, Business Law Section
• William B. Bryant American Inn of Court
• Board Member & Past President, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (2017-Present)

Recognitions

• Named by The Legal 500 US a "recommended lawyer" in Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense (2019)
• Received 2015 Burton Award for Distinguished Legal Writing