When it comes to government contracts and litigation, Susan has deep knowledge and wide-ranging experience, and can offer seasoned counseling and effective representation in related matters. Her top priority is addressing and resolving client matters as efficiently as possible.
Overview
Susan is a thought leader in public contracting. Businesses, nonprofits and consortiums seek Susan’s sage advice and counsel on complex and emerging issues in government contracts, grants and agreements, compliance, audits, investigations and litigation.
Susan has vast experience advising and representing clients in government contracting matters. She has extensive experience handling bid protests, small business size protests and appeals, contract administration and compliance program issues, strategic alliances, security, suspension and debarment, audits and investigations, requests for equitable adjustment, claims and formal and informal dispute resolution. Clients seek her advice when confronted with difficult, unique or emerging issues, such as emerging cyber and supply chain risk compliance rules; non-standard federal research and development-related matters, including other transaction agreements, technology investment agreements, cooperative agreements, Small Business Innovation Research and grants; USAID/Host Nation, battlefield and contingency contracting; state and local government contracts; grants and agreements.
Susan is a Past Chair of the American Bar Association Public Contract Law Section. She is also an ABA PCLS Fellow and Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. She also serves as Co-Chair of the National Defense Industrial Association’s Cyber Legal Regulatory Policy Committee and is an elected Director of The Procurement Round Table. Previously, she held positions as President of the Boards of Contract Appeals Bar Association, National President of Women In Defense, member of the Board of Directors of the National Defense Industrial Association, Chair of the D.C. Bar Government Contracts and Litigation Section, and member of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims Advisory Council.
Experience
Susan understands a client's challenges, having previously served as in-house counsel to a large telecommunications company and its affiliate information management and technology company.
She has extensive experience representing clients before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the U.S. Small Business Administration, various federal boards of contract appeals, federal district and appellate courts, and state and local governmental entities.
Susan brings a unique perspective, shaped by having formerly represented the Department of the Navy, the Department of Defense and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management in complex litigation matters.
She was once appointed as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Susan represents small and large companies in bid protests at the agency, GAO and U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
She also represents entities in small business size protests and appeals.
She assists clients in the preparation and handling of Requests for Equitable Adjustment, and represents clients in litigating and resolving contract disputes at the boards of contract appeals and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
She advises and represents clients in contracting, subcontracting, contract administration, and dispute resolution matters involving performance of U.S. government contracting matters. She has represented clients in matters involving U.S. government contracting abroad, including USAID and USAID/Host Nation bid protests, battlefield and contingency contract matters involving construction projects, supplies, security and airlift services, as well claims and dispute litigation.
Susan has worked with a variety of companies, including New York Stock Exchange level companies, on the development and implementation of codes of business ethics and conduct, compliance programs, policies and procedures, training of personnel, and internal and external investigations and litigation.
She counseled and assisted entities in the establishment of a nonprofit robotics technology consortium comprised of traditional and non-traditional government contractors, including small and large businesses, universities and laboratories. She also negotiated the overarching Other Transaction Agreement under which consortium members could engage in prototype research and development projects.
She has counseled and assisted clients in responding to Defense Contract Audit Agency and Defense Contract Management Agency accounting and business systems audits.
Represented federal grant funds recipient in internal investigation and related state enforcement matter regarding potential state and federal government grant violations.
She advised and counseled on development of Price Anderson Act nuclear indemnification and limitation of liability provisions for transportation company agreement.
Advised and represented clients in debarment and suspension matters related to criminal proceedings.
News & Insights
News
Speaking Engagements
Co-Presenter, "MOSA: Enabling Dynamic Capabilities and Innovations in Army Acquisitions," Army Applications Laboratory Austin, Texas, December 13, 2023
Panelist, "IP/Data Rights Concerns in SBIR," Army Science and Technology Roundtable, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, October 4, 2023
Moderator, "IP/Data Rights Discussion," Vertical Lift Consortium (VLC) MOSA Summit, Atlanta, GA, September 19, 2023
Co-Presenter, "The Best Offense is a Good Defense: Addressing the Cyber Threatscape," Annual Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Conference, Austin, TX, August 7, 2023
Panelist, "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Inflation Reduction Act, and Tax Credits," NAESCO Webinar, December 5, 2022
Presenter, "Government Contracts Implications of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act," 2022 ABA PCLS Public Procurement Symposium, Austin, TX, October 13, 2022
Presenter, "Supply Chain – What Keeps The Lawyers Up At Night", Association of Transportation Law Professionals, Kansas City, Missouri, June 27, 2022
Moderator, "A View from the C-Suite on False Claims Act Investigations," American Bar Association FCA Symposium, Miami, Florida, April 24, 2022
Presenter, "Domestic Preference Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act," ABA PCLS Joint Construction and State and Local Government Committee Meeting, April 21, 2022
Panelist, "Government Contractor Cybersecurity and the DOJ Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative," BAH webinar, April 13, 2022
Presenter, "Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act Build America, Buy America," Hot Topics Featuring Experts in Government & Industry, Public Contracting Institute, March 3, 2022
Presenter, "Stinson Construction Webinar," February 15, 2022
Presenter, "Managing the Supply Chain," NAESCO, January 24, 2022
Presenter, "Pandemic Pandemonium," PubKLaw Annual Review – Construction, January 2022
Moderator, "CMMC 2.0 in 2022 – Where do we go from here?" NDIA CMMC Tabletop #7, January 27, 2022
Presenter, "The Government Contractor Vaccine Mandate – What Does It Mean For Contractors and Their Employees … Now?", North Alabama Federal Bar Association 49th Annual Labor and Acquisition Law Symposium, December 14, 2021
Presenter, "DFARS 2021 - DFARS Part 235 Research and Development Contracting," Schaus DFARS 2021 Webinar series, August 18, 2021
Co-Presenter, "Section 889: Protecting the Security of the Railroad Supply Chain," Association of Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) Annual Meeting – General Counsels Symposium, June 21, 2021
Moderator, "CMMC Tabletop Series: Responding to Cyber Incidents," National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), May 21, 2021
Presenter, "Cyber Trends and Legal Considerations Related to Security Breaches," Midwest GRC Roundtable: Cybersecurity Discussion - Session 1, April 6, 2021
Co-Presenter, "Are You Ready for the New Federal Cybersecurity and Supply Chain Requirements?" NAESCO, March 29, 2021
Moderator, "Cybersecurity and CMMC Implementation Tabletop Series – Webinar 4, Pre-Award Process," National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), March 16, 2021
Moderator, “Cybersecurity and CMMC Implementation Tabletop Series – Webinar 3, Basic Assessment and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification – Identifying CUI and Implementing Flow Down Solutions, National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), January 2021
Presenter, “Have You Done Your Basic Assessment, and Are You Ready for CMMC?” National Contract Management Association (NCMA) Boston, January 2021
Presenter, “Cybersecurity Model Certification Requirements and Status,” Schaus & Associates Gov Con – Q&A Café 2021, January 2021
Presenter, “Most Important Decisions of 2020 – Exxon Mobil v. United States,” American Bar Association Public Contract Law Section Contract Claims and Dispute Resolution Committee, January 2021
Moderator, “Cybersecurity and CMMC Implementation Tabletop Series – Webinar 2, Pre-Award Process (Manufacturing Technology), NDIA, December 2020
Presenter, “Predicting the Future of Defense in 2021/2022 – Post Election,” North Alabama Federal Bar Association Government Contracts Symposium, December 2020
Co-Presenter, “Compliance with ‘Section 889’ – The Huawei Ban,” Joint Meeting of the National Contract Management Association Huntsville, Al and San Fernando Valley, CA, November 2020
Moderator, “Cybersecurity and CMMC Implementation Tabletop Series – Webinar I, Pre-Award Process,” NDIA, October 2020
Co-Presenter, “Understanding & Implementing the ‘Huawei Ban’ in Government Contracts and Grants” Webinar (Recording Available), October 2020
Presenter, “FAR Part 45: Government Property,” Get “FAR” Sighted In 2020, October 2020
Co-Presenter, “Data Security and Privacy: How Does It Affect You,” Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Conference Webinar, September 2020
Presenter, “FAR 2020 – Part 34 – Major System Acquisition,” Schaus & Associates, August 2020
Co-Presenter, “CMMC-Cybersecurity Status – Legal Roundtable,” Schaus & Associates, June 2020
Co-Presenter, “Most Important Government Contract Cases of 2019,” American Bar Association, March 2020
Co-presenter, “Help! What Can I Do if the Coronavirus Prevents Me From Fulfilling My Contracts?" Force Majeure and the Coronavirus” Webinar (Recording Available), March 2020
Co-presenter, “Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC): Guarding the Keys to the Kingdom,” National Defense Industry Association, Rocky Mountain Chapter, Colorado Springs, CO, March 2020
Presenter, "Emerging SCRM Issues and Tools For Addressing Them," NDIA Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter, Dallas, TX, September 10, 2019
Co-Presenter, "Guarding the Keys to the Kingdom: Protecting Against Industrial Base Cyber Risks," National Defense Industrial Association Armaments Division Conference on Leveraging Armament Technology Integration to Achieve Modernization, Overmatch, and Operational Readiness, Fredericksburg, VA, June 3, 2019
Presenter, "Emerging cybersecurity issues for government contractors," Data Security & Privacy Law Update Webinar, Stinson LLP, Minneapolis, MN, May 30, 2019
Presenter, "How to Fight the Good Fight in Government Contracting - What You Need to Know," Bids Protests and Bid Mistake Seminar, Stinson LLP, Kansas City, Mo, April 18, 2019
Moderator and Presenter, "Considering Blockchain to Address Government and Supply Chain Needs," Blockchainge DC Conference, Washington, DC, January 14, 2019
Presenter, "NDIA – Beyond the Hype: Industry’s Experience with OTAs," National Defense Industrial Association Headquarters, Arlington, VA, July 17, 2018
Moderator and Presenter, "Compliance Under the DFARS Cyber Rule 252.204-7012," 11th Annual NDIA Mid-West Symposium, Moline, Ill, May 2018
Presenter, "Cyber and Supply Chain Compliance: Who and What Are Covered?" 38th Annual Association of Government Leasing and Finance Conference, Chicago, Ill, May 2018
Presenter, "Who's Covered and What Needs to be Protected? ... Establishing Requirements for Software and Supply Chain Assurance in Government Contracts," Department of Homeland Security Software and Supply Chain Assurance Forum, Tysons, VA, May 2018
Panelist, "Supply Chain Integrity: The New Normal," Federal Procurement Institute, American Bar Association Public Contract Law Section, Annapolis, MD, March 15, 2018
Co-Presenter, "Protecting the Supply Chain," Geospatial & Remote Sensing Law Workshop, U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation, Fairfax, VA, December 2017
Co-Presenter, "U.S. DFARS Cybersecurity Requirements," Update on Export Controls and IT Workshop, SMi Defence Exports Conference, Rome, Italy, September 2017
Panelist, "Ethics, Integrity & Twitter: Navigating Unique Issues In The Trump Administration," Federal Circuit Bar Association Government Contracting Summit, April 2017
Co-Presenter, "Identifying the "Big Rocks' to Improving Defense Acquisition and Maintaining Defense Technology Advantage," presentation on behalf of the American Bar Association Public Contract Law Section to the U.S. Department of Defense Section 809 Advisory Panel on Streamlining and Codifying Acquisition Regulations Pursuant to National Defense Authorization Act FY 2016, Section 809, Washington, DC, September 2016
Co-Presenter, "Seminar B: Legal Perspective/Intellectual Property Issues" and "Seminar C: From OTA to FAR-based Contract: A Case Study," NCMA Picatinney Chapter 2015 Small Business Symposium, Newark, NJ, October 2015
Publications
"Advising Your Client on Real-World Cybersecurity Questions Using Fictional Scenarios Connected to the Department of Defense's Proposed Cybersecurity Maturity Model Program," The Procurement Lawyer, Volume 59, Number 4, Summer 2024
"A Potential Proactive Tool For Public-Private Joint Ventures," Law360, January 2024
"Government Shutdown Instructions from OMB," Government Contracting Matters, September 29, 2023
"The Inflation Reduction Act’s Sowing of Biofuels for Future Harvests," Government Contracting Matters, January 10, 2023
"Myth-Busting: New Final FAR Rules Says You Can Speak with Agency Personnel During a Procurement, Or Can You?", Government Contracting Matters, December 5, 2022
"National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 Bill Passes House and Moves to Senate Where Amendments Are Being Proposed", Government Contracting Matters, October 21, 2022
"DC Circuit Sets FCA Offset Standard to Limit What the Government Can Recover in USA v. Honeywell International Inc.," Stinson Government Contracting Blog, September 7, 2022
"Growing Issue of Inflation in Government Contracts Supply Chain Leads to DoD Clarification on Potential for Relief," Stinson Government Contracting Blog, June 2, 2022
"SEC Issued Proposed Rule on Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, Governance, and Incident Disclosure," Stinson Government Contracting Blog, April 21, 2022
"For DoD Acquisitions Greater than $10 Million, Enhanced Debriefing Is Here to Stay," Stinson Government Contracting Blog, March 21, 2022
"Department of Homeland Security Issues “SHIELDS UP” Advisory for All Organizations Regardless of Size," Stinson Government Contracting Blog, February 21, 2022
"Biden Executive Order to Require Project Labor Agreements for Federal Procurement Construction Projects, and More," Stinson Government Contracting Blog, February 9, 2022
"More Administration Actions on the COVID-19 Vaccination Front," Stinson Government Contracting Blog, January 26, 2022
"Government Contractor Vaccine Mandate Still Stayed Despite Government Attempts to Overturn," Stinson Government Contracting Blog, January 6, 2022
"Supreme Court Set to Hear Oral Argument on OSHA Vaccine Rule – What Will This Mean for Government Contractors?" Stinson Government Contracting Blog, December 24, 2021
"Louisiana District Court Joins Bandwagon of Courts Issuing Preliminary Injunctions Against Implementation of EO 14042’s Government Contractor Vaccination Mandate," Stinson Government Contracting Blog, December 17, 2021
"Georgia v. Biden Places Nationwide Stay on the Government Contractor Vaccination Mandate," Stinson Government Contracting Blog, December 7, 2021
"A Sea Change in Handling of Government Contractor Cyber Incident Reporting?," Stinson Government Contracting Blog, October 7, 2021
"FAR Class Deviations Being Issued to Implement Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors," Stinson Government Contracting Blog, October 4, 2021
"So... Where Is The Money – We’ve Seen This Movie Before But The Stakes Are High," Stinson Government Contracting Blog, September 30, 2021
Co-Author, "Vaccinations Required for Covered Federal Contractor Employees by December 8," Stinson Alert, September 27, 2021
"Executive Order on Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors – COVID Task Force Guidance Issued and Opportunity to Comment," Stinson Government Contracting Blog, September 22, 2021
"Biden’s Executive Order on Protecting Americans’ Sensitive Data from Foreign Adversaries," Stinson Government Contracting Blog, June 24, 2021
"President Expands Ban on Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies Based on Finding of Unusual and Extraordinary Threats – Actions to Address Cybersecurity and Supply Chain Risk Continuing," Stinson Government Contracting Blog, June 15, 2021
"How Do You Address Solicitation Requirements and Contract Performance After CMMC Rollout?," Stinson Government Contracting Blog, June 10, 2021
"In the Wake of Colonial Pipeline Cyber Incident, President Issues Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity – What Will It Do?" Stinson Government Contracting Blog, May 20, 2021
"Antitrust Developments and the Potential Impact on Government Contractors," Stinson's Government Contracting Blog, April 29, 2021
"Securing the Supply Chain," Stinson's Government Contracting Blog, April 15, 2021
"Controlled Unclassified Information – The Devil Is In The Details," Stinson's Government Contracting Blog, April 8, 2021
"Continuing Developments on the Supply Chain Front," Stinson's Government Contracting Blog, March 19, 2021
"DIB Take Note: SolarWinds Hack and DHS CISA Emergency Directive on Cyber Vulnerabilities Point to the Need to be Prepared for APTs," Stinson's Government Contracting Blog, March 4, 2021
"Paycheck Protection Program – What Has Changed?" Stinson's Government Contracting Blog, February 4, 2021
“Record Breaking Number of Executive Orders Issued in First Week,” Stinson's Government Contracting Blog, January 28, 2021
“DoD COVID-19 Vaccine Policy Seeks Wider Distribution of Vaccine to Government Contractor Employees to Secure the DIB – Contractors Take Note!,” Stinson’s Government Contracting Blog, January 14, 2021
“Don’t Wait Too Long to Bring Your Protest or You’ll Miss Your Opportunity!” Stinson Government Contracting Blog, January 8, 2021
“Happy New Year!” Stinson’s Government Contracting Blog, December 30, 2020
“A Case for Protecting Data Rights – The Boeing Co. v. Secretary of the Air Force," Stinson's Government Contracting Blog, December 23, 2020
“How Late is Too Late to File a Claim?” Stinson's Government Contracting Blog, November 2, 2020
“EO Addressing Threat from Securities Investments in Chinese Military Companies,” Stinson's Government Contracting Blog, November 24, 2020
“Wondering Why Government Contractors Need to Take Cybersecurity Seriously – Criminals and Foreign Adversaries Are Trying to Hack You,” Stinson's Government Contracting Blog, July 31, 2020
Co-Author, “Federal Contractors' Compliance Responsibilities Just Got Easier, or Did They?” Stinson's Government Contracting Blog, July 20, 2020
“National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal year 2021 Passes Out of Committee for Consideration by Full Senate,” Stinson's Government Contracting Blog, July 9, 2020
Contributing Author, “New Law Makes Major Changes to the Paycheck Protection Program,” Stinson's Government Contracting Blog, June 11, 2020
“DOJ Update to Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Program Guidance is a Must Read for Government Contractors of All Sizes and Shapes,” Stinson's Government Contracting Blog, June 5, 2020
"DoD Releases Draft Guidance on Implementation of Section 3610 Relief," Stinson Alert, May 20, 2020
"PPP Forgiveness Application Certification May Lead to Enforcement Headaches," Stinson Alert, May 19, 2020
"Insights from the New PPP Loan Forgiveness Application and Best Practices for Borrowers Seeking to Maximize Loan Forgiveness," Stinson Alert, May 18, 2020
“CMMC Update,” Stinson's Government Contracting Blog, May 14, 2020
“Continuing Developments in Cybersecurity,” Stinson's Government Contracting Blog, May 5, 2020
"PPP Updates: More Interim Final Rules, FAQs and Unanswered Questions from the SBA," Stinson Alert, May 1, 2020
"SBA Posts New Interim Final Rule on PPP," Stinson Alert, April 24, 2020
"Reconsidering PPP Eligibility – Should Public Companies and Financially Strong Borrowers Repay PPP Loans?" Stinson Alert, April 23, 2020
"DoD Issues Class Deviation and Guidance to Implement CARES Act Relief for DoD Contractors under Section 3610," Stinson Alert, May 14, 2020
"New Paycheck Protection Program FAQs Released," Stinson Alert, April 7, 2020
"SBA Issues New Guidance on Paycheck Protection Program," Stinson Alert, April 4, 2020
"Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Signed into Law," Stinson Alert, March 31, 2020
"Force Majeure and the Coronavirus (COVID-19)," Stinson Alert, March 12, 2020
"Recommended Employer Response to Coronavirus Outbreak," Stinson Alert, February 28, 2020
"The Impact of the Coronavirus on the Global Supply Chain," Stinson Alert, February 21, 2020
“Securing the Supply Chain – CMMC Draft Version 0.7 Issued,” Stinson's Government Contracting Blog, December 19, 2019
“DoD Rolls Out Draft Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Framework To Validate Contractor Cybersecurity Compliance,” Stinson's Government Contracting Blog, September 11, 2019
“In Submitting a Bid or Proposal – Timing is Everything!,” Stinson's Government Contracting Blog, August 23, 2019
"NIST Updates SP 800-171 To Enhance DoD Contractor Security Against Cyber Attack," Stinson Alert, June 26, 2019
Co-Editor, "Guide to Service Subcontract Terms and Conditions, Second Edition," American Bar Association Public Contract Law Section, 2019
Co-Author, "Contractors Must Contend With New Cybersecurity Rule," National Defense Industrial Association Defense Magazine, January 2018
Co-Author, "New Cyber Rules to Safeguard Supply Chain," National Defense Industrial Association Defense Magazine, April 2017
Contributing author, ABA PCLS Guide to Fixed-Price Supply Subcontract Terms and Conditions," 5th ed., 2016
Recognitions
Recognitions
JD Supra Readers' Choice Award, Top Author in Government Contracting, 2021-2023
Super Lawyers® Top Rated Government Contracts Attorney in Washington, DC, 2018-2020
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
Co-Editor and contributing author, ABA PCLS Guide to Service Subcontract Terms and Conditions, 2019
Section Chair Special Recognition Awards, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021
ABA PCLS Committee of the Year Award, 2013 (Chair, Acquisition Reform and Emerging Issues Committee)
Boards of Contract Appeals Bar Association Life Service Award, 2010
D.C. Bar Best Section Community Outreach Project Award, March 2008
BTI Client Service All-Star Team for Law Firms, 2006
Department of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award, 1987
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
The Procurement Round Table, Director, 2022-2027
American Bar Foundation, Fellow
American Bar Association Public Contract Law Section
- PCLS Fellow
- Past Chair (2021-2022)
- Chair (2020-2021)
- Vice Chair (2019-2020)
- Secretary (2018-2019)
ABA Section Officers Council Executive Committee, Chairs (2020-2021), Chair-Elects (2019-2020), Vice Chairs (2018-2019), Secretary (2017-2018) Class Representative
ABA Board of Governors-Section Officers Council Working Group (2020-2021)
ABA PCLS Strategic Planning Committee Chair (2020-2021)
National Defense Industrial Association
- Cyber Division Cyber Legal Regulatory Policy Committee, Co-Chair (current)
- President, Women In Defense and Member, NDIA Board of Directors (2007-2009)
U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar Association
U.S. Court of Federal Claims Advisory Council (Past member)
Boards of Contract Appeals Bar Association, Inc.
- President (2010)
D.C. Bar Government Contracts and Litigation Section
- Chair (1988-1989)
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- District of Columbia Court of Appeals
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Education
Cornell Law School, J.D.
Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences, B.A.
