Aerospace, Defense & National Security
Arnold & Porter has in-depth sector knowledge of the aerospace, defense and national security industries. Representing aircraft and aerospace manufacturers, satellite companies, unmanned aerial vehicle producers, defense contractors and consulting companies, and investors in these sectors, we understand the unique business and legal challenges clients face when dealing with regulatory, transactional and litigation matters. We advise on government and procurement pitfalls to protect interests in disputes, investigations and transactions. Our lawyers are a seasoned team of industry-leading professionals, including former government agency GCs, legal advisors, regulators, enforcers, and senior agency leaders. Collectively, we offer remarkable insight and advice that can help our clients anticipate and surface developments before they become problems, resolve issues and seize opportunities.
Top-Ranked Government Contracts Team: Consistently ranked in the top tier by Chambers USA and The Legal 500 US, our team works on some of the most novel and high-stakes matters against the government.
Fundamental Understanding of Regulatory Processes: Our lawyers have broad-gauge knowledge of—and relationships within—intricate governmental regulatory agencies and can help devise the best possible outcomes for clients.
Uncommon Technical Prowess in Defense Sector M&A: Our team has particular skill in closing defense sector deals and ensuring compliance with the complicated statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements government contractors confront.
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Experience Highlights
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Airbus, as lead counsel, in the disclosures and settlement with the US Department of State's investigations into filings pursuant to the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and assistance with the company's implementation of the Consent Agreement with the Department of State.
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Kongsberg Gruppen in its sale of Hydroid to Huntington Ingalls for an undisclosed amount.
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Fluor Corporation in persuading DOJ to decline intervention, after an extensive investigation, in a qui tam action brought by multiple relators regarding the management of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of materials on a contingency contract performed in Afghanistan.
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L3Harris Technologies in securing a favorable judgment before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals for a deficit arising from a pension segment closure under Cost Account Standard 413.
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In-Q-Tel, the company established by the CIA to acquire high-technology solutions for the US intelligence community, in providing government contracts, national security and transactional advice.
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Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in protesting a $230 million National Reconnaissance Office bid award, resulting in implementation of correctives that included new proposals, discussions, evaluations, and ultimately an award to SAIC.
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DC Capital Partners in its sale of radio frequency solutions provider QRC Technologies LLC to digital solutions provider Parsons Corporation.
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American aerospace manufacturer in a $2.2 billion Air Force national security space launch development bid protest.
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European airframe manufacturer in a multidistrict litigation arising out of an accident over the mid-Atlantic Ocean where all US claims against the client were dismissed on forum non conveniens grounds.
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Helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul company in a trade secret and trademark infringement suit where the case settled on favorable terms following the district court's decision denying the plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction against our client.
