Stephen D. Tobin
- Washington, DC
- stobin@cohenseglias.com
- 202.587.4757
- Successfully advised client in negotiating a favorable settlement over a shipbuilding contract claim involving allegations of superior knowledge, constructive changes and commercial impossibility.
- Provided legal support in favorably resolving contractor’s request for more than $300 million in equitable contract adjustments on high-visibility ship construction program. Contractor abandoned $277 million claim for contract changes.
- Successfully marshalled the retrieval of sensitive military equipment from individual attempting to sell the equipment on eBay.
- Won a favorable decision after 10-day hearing of $9 million construction claim involving OSHA compliance and hazardous material removal and waste disposal.
- Defended Navy in five-day hearing concerning alleged change to contract for shock tube used by warfighters to initiate explosive devices.
- Successfully defended, via motion practice, contractor’s $100 million claim under oil flushing services contract.
- Won favorable decision via motion on contractor’s claim for constructive changes to building renovation contract whereby government avoided paying any costs.
- Teamed with DOJ to successfully defend government against claims of improper default termination on contracts totaling $27 million.
Steve brings considerable government experience to the firm’s clients, having served as an associate counsel for litigation and senior trial attorney in the Department of the Navy’s Office of General Counsel. As a result of his work with the Navy, Steve helps clients strategize the best approaches for negotiation and litigation involving complex federal contracts. He also advises companies and individuals facing government investigations under the False Claims Act.
Steve’s primary responsibilities in the Office of General Counsel included managing the Naval Sea Systems Command’s (NAVSEA) contract claims/litigation and investigation/fraud portfolio as well as advising NAVSEA’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) on investigations into allegations involving fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement. He frequently sat as first or second chair for appeals of government contract claims before the Armed Service Board of Contract Appeals on matters involving FAR, DFARS, and contract interpretation, cost issues, terminations, differing site conditions, defective specifications, delay and disruption, and constructive changes. Steve served as the principle point of contact for nearly 150 attorneys with respect to government contract claims and litigation.
- Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude
- Saint Joseph’s University, B.S.
- Virginia