With New Leadership, McKenna Long Government Contracts Group Makes Global Leap

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- In a milestone expansion for one of the country's preeminent government contracts practices, the Government Contracts group at McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP is set to make a global leap as it joins leading international law firm Dentons and introduces Jessica Abrahams as its new Government Contracts chair.  Abrahams, based in the firm's Washington, DC office, has been a leading partner within McKenna's Government Contracts group for many years. 

The newly structured McKenna Government Contracts team maintains the legacy strengths of the practice that clients trust, while adding an international dimension that responds to clients' needs in today's marketplace.  McKenna's Government Contracts group has been advising federal and state contractors on procurement, business strategy, compliance, ethics, litigation, contract performance, fraud and other enforcement matters since the late 1950s, and will continue to do so under the Dentons brand.

Known for its pioneering efforts in supporting the government contracting industry for decades, earlier this month McKenna took another bold step to address the evolving international needs of the government contracting industry. Through the merger that was announced in April, once effective, clients will benefit from the support of some 1,100 lawyers and professionals in 21 U.S. offices, and approximately 6,600 lawyers and professionals worldwide in more than 125 locations and 50 countries. 

"The combination with Dentons represents an historic leap for our firm that helps us bring reach and depth where our clients need it most in today's marketplace," said Abrahams.  "With a footprint covering the entire United States and practitioners in major hubs internationally, our combined group is the first to provide full-service, global coverage for companies doing business with government entities in the U.S. and abroad, and those on U.S. government-financed projects involving foreign sovereigns.  Our clients are breaking into new markets, and we want to be there with them, helping them take advantage of opportunities and navigating the challenges that often accompany cross-border procurement."

A 10-year veteran of McKenna, Abrahams advises clients on matters involving biodefense, health care, information technology, aerospace and defense services, international contracts, and other issues. Her practice spans transactions (including mergers and acquisitions), as well as False Claims Act litigation, bid protests, compliance and internal investigations, small business issues, suspension and debarment, supply chain issues, data rights, and trade secret issues.

In addition to its global presence, Dentons brings additional assets to McKenna Government Contracts in litigation and enforcement, arbitration, government policy and white collar.  Dentons also boasts complementary expertise in export controls, national security, state attorneys general and representation of satellite and aerospace companies with large government buyers.  Dentons represents numerous sovereign governments and foreign agencies worldwide doing business in the U.S.

"Jessica is the ideal person to head our combined contractor practice," said McKenna Chairman Jeffrey Haidet, who is slated to become co-CEO of Dentons US along with Dentons' current CEO, Peter Wolfson.  "Besides having a highly diversified practice, she is intently focused on the growing internationalization of the contractor market," Mr. Haidet continued. "As more of our government contracting clients engage in an increasing amount of international work, we are uniquely positioned to handle a large share of that expanded work as a result of our combination with Dentons," he said.

Upon announcing the merger, the two firms noted that by mutual decision not all lawyers and professionals will join the combined firm, a reference, in part, to the planned transformation of McKenna Government Contracts.  But the majority of the Government Contracts group remains with McKenna, residing in all locations previously served, including Washington, DC, Denver and Los Angeles.

McKenna Government Contracts represents contractors on key areas including claims and disputes, cost and pricing, internal investigations, False Claims Act matters, bid protests, suspension and debarment, SAFETY Act, export controls, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property rights, data security, small business issues, health care, and other matters.  Clients include leading names in defense, aviation, space, information systems, cybersecurity and general services.  It represents clients across all Executive Branch agencies, including DoD, DHS, DoE, DoJ, GSA, HHS and State Department.

About McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP

McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP is an international law firm with nearly 500 attorneys and public policy advisors in 15 offices and 13 markets. The firm is uniquely positioned at the intersection of law, business and government, representing clients in the areas of complex litigation, government contracts, corporate law, energy, environment, finance, health care, infrastructure, insurance, intellectual property, private client services, public policy, real estate, and technology. Please visit www.mckennalong.com for more information.

Media Contact: Ellen R. Musante 202.429.7228 [email protected]

SOURCE McKenna Long & Aldridge

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