Wiley Rein Wins Law360’s Government Contracts ‘Practice Group of the Year’ Award for ‘High-Profile Wins’ in a ‘Variety of Forums’

January 12, 2016

Wiley Rein’s prominent Government Contracts Practice has been named a 2015 “Practice Group of the Year” by Law360 in one of the publication’s hallmark annual awards. Selected for the honor for two years running, Wiley Rein was noted for its “high-profile wins representing diverse clients in a variety of forums,” a key factor that set it apart from other government contracts practices in 2015.

Law360 cited Wiley Rein’s work in a “blockbuster win” at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, in which the firm prevailed in defending Boeing Co. from a bid protest for a $4.76 billion NASA contract to provide commercial spacecrafts to send astronauts to the International Space Station. The article also noted the firm’s successful appeal to the Federal Circuit in a bid protest involving the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Recovery Audit Contractor Program, where the firm’s client CGI is an incumbent contractor; in this “widely watched” and precedent-setting case, a three-judge panel was effectively persuaded by Wiley Rein that the government’s attempts to modify the payment terms for recovery audit contracts violated the Federal Acquisition Regulation’s rules for the acquisition of commercial items. Law360 also cited a successful protest on behalf of Citrix Systems Inc. that forced the U.S. Defense Information Agency to withdraw a request for proposals for up to $1.6 billion in software licensing that would have favored a rival company.

According to the publication, partner and two-time Law360 “MVP” winner Scott M. McCaleb, along with partners Paul F. Khoury, Rand L. Allen and William A. Roberts III—all of whom were interviewed for the article—said they viewed the group’s “well-rounded success as the biggest highlight of the year.” All four partners emphasized that the Law360 recognition is a reflection on the consistently excellent work and effort of the group’s younger partners and associates, who have distinguished themselves in the bar as top-notch advocates.

Law360 received 730 submissions for the series—now in its sixth year—and selected 184 winners across 30 practice areas for honors. Wiley Rein was one of nine law firms to receive
awards in four categories this year. In addition to Government Contracts, the firm’s received honors for its Insurance, International Trade, and Telecommunications practices.

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