Q&A with Our DC Team
Our newsletter team recently sat down with the partners of our DC Office.
Q: What has prompted the firm’s expansion to Washington, DC?
A: Ed — Our expansion into DC is part of a broader five-year plan. The Firm already has a number of clients and active matters in the DC-metropolitan area. Having a dedicated office gives our construction and federal contracting attorneys better access to numerous courts and the government agencies that they deal with every day. Given the Firm’s expanding practice in the region, devoting more resources to the area and opening an office in the nation’s capital was a natural fit.
Apart from geographic concerns, Paul’s existing scientific research misconduct practice is the perfect complement to Chris Carusone’s work representing clients facing investigations and regulatory enforcement actions brought by local, state and federal governments. Paul and Chris will head-up the new Internal Investigations practice group for the Firm. Together they hope to expand their existing practices into the rapidly growing field of investigations against universities facing allegations of Title IX violations, which concern allegations of sexual harassment on university campuses. The new federal law now requires an investigation by the university in order to continue to receive federal funds and avoid sanctions.
Q: How will this affect the firm’s Government Contracting Group?
A: Michael — Our federal practice is a national practice and our clients are located throughout the United States and also internationally. In our representation of federal contractors, we frequently deal with the Department of Defense and its various components. The headquarters of all federal agencies are located in the Washington, DC area, as are the courts and boards that decide cases involving federal contracting issues. Proximity to these various entities, as well as the Government Accountability Office and the U.S. Department of Justice, will be a great benefit to our attorneys and clients. In an age where electronic communication is dominant, we look forward to increased personal interaction with those we represent and regularly deal with in the federal contracting field.
Q: What new developments can be expected from DC?
A: Paul — Quite literally, new development – the DC metropolitan area is undergoing incredible growth right now. In fact, it was recently ranked in the top ten most rapidly growing housing markets in the country. A huge boom in residential housing projects is already underway in the area’s construction market. Pent-up demand following the 2013 and 2014 sequester battle in Congress also is expected to make large contributions to commercial growth in the area as government institutions resume economic activities.
Q: What services does the DC office offer to the firm’s clients?
A: Paul and Lars — Our office has a strong civil litigation background. Our previous firm started nearly twenty years ago, and throughout the years we expanded our areas of practice. One of Paul’s areas of concentration is referred to as “scientific misconduct.” Paul represents scientists or institutions engaged in investigations into allegations of misconduct in the field of scientific research. He’s handled dozens of these cases across the country for over twenty years. We are excited for Paul to join Chris Carusone in establishing the Firm’s Internal Investigations practice. Lars has represented a variety of clients in constitutional takings cases involving land use and leasehold interests and expanded the Firm’s federal litigation presence by successfully prosecuting whistleblower actions as well as False Claims Act cases in the technology and Medicare fraud areas.
Karen Karas and Jackson Nichols are also joining the Firm with strong commercial litigation backgrounds. Karen has experience as an assistant general counsel for the local transportation authority, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Jackson brings several years of litigation experience and trial practice to the Firm’s commercial and construction law groups. Both Karen and Jackson work with us on many of our internal investigation matters.
