Profile
Rita counsels government contractors and subcontractors on a wide array of legal issues, including bid protests, cybersecurity, internal investigations, and claims and disputes.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Prosecutes and defends bid protests before federal and state bodies, including the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC).
- Represents government contractors in disputes with the federal government, including appeals of contracting officer final decisions to the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA).
- Assists government contractors in navigating cybersecurity requirements under the various frameworks used by federal agencies, including DFARS 252.204-7012 and NIST SP 800-171.
- Counsels government contractors on cyber incident response obligations.
- Counsels government contractors on compliance with the federal False Claims Act (FCA) and government FCA investigations.
- Assists with internal investigations relating to issues unique to government contractors, including government contracts ethics and alleged violations of the FCA and other federal and state laws and regulations.
Professional Experience
- Spring Law Clerk, Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (2020)
- Research Assistant, George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School, Professor Caroline Cecot (2020)
- Administrative Law Clinic, George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School (2019-2020)
Practice Areas
Credentials
Education
J.D., magna cum laude, George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School
B.A., High Honors, University of California, Santa Barbara
Law Journals
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Law, Economics, and Policy (2020-2021)
Bar and Court Memberships
- District of Columbia Bar
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Related News & Insights
- AlertWhat Does CISA’s Secure Software Development Form Mean for Contractors?Tracye Winfrey Howard, Gary S. Ward, Teresita Regelbrugge, Joshua K. WaldmanApril 1, 2024
- AlertDOD Publishes Video Overview of CMMC Program and LogisticsGary S. Ward, Megan L. Brown, Tracye Winfrey Howard, Teresita RegelbruggeFebruary 22, 2024
- AlertUPDATE: DOD Proposed Rule Solidifies Plans for CMMC 2.0 Program: Security Requirements, Assessments, Affirmations, and Some Flow-Down DetailsGary S. Ward, Megan L. Brown, Tracye Winfrey Howard, Teresita RegelbruggeJanuary 11, 2024
- AlertDOD Proposed Rule Solidifies Plans for CMMC 2.0 Program: Security Requirements, Assessments, Affirmations, and Some Flow-Down DetailsGary S. Ward, Tracye Winfrey Howard, Megan L. Brown, Teresita RegelbruggeDecember 27, 2023