Understanding the Pitfalls of a Defense Health Agency (DHA) Investigation
October 6, 2023
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Our law firm and government relations practice has a long history of representing clients in the defense industry in North Carolina.
Ward and Smith is dedicated to providing comprehensive legal counsel tailored to the unique needs and challenges faced by companies operating in this highly regulated and competitive sector.
Our team is intimately familiar with the North Carolina defense sector. Team members include Retired Major General Hugh Overholt, who served as the Army's top attorney; Mike McIntyre, a former North Carolina Congressman who served on the House Armed Forces Committee for eighteen years; and Jamie Norment, a former public policy research fellow and congressional staff member to members of the House Armed Services Committee. Each of these team members lives in Eastern North Carolina, and appreciates the close ties between the armed services, our economy, and private business.
We assist clients with:
Government Contracting: We assist defense contractors in navigating the complex landscape of government contracting, including bid protests, contract negotiation, compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), and subcontractor agreements. We also assist with both filing and defeating bid protests, including GAO bid protests. Frequently, these matters move quickly, and intervention must occur soon after the process starts. Please contact an attorney immediately if a bid your company won has been protested, or if you feel a bid was awarded without merit.
We also assist clients with issues before the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). There are routinely issues in the employment law sphere that impact DCAA actions, and our Labor and Employment attorneys are familiar with these issues.
Regulatory Compliance: Our team stays abreast of the latest regulatory developments impacting the defense industry, including export controls, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and compliance with federal and state laws governing defense-related activities.
Intellectual Property Protection: We help defense contractors safeguard their intellectual property rights through patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, ensuring their innovations remain protected in a rapidly evolving technological environment.
Dispute Resolution and Litigation: In the event of disputes, our experienced litigators advocate vigorously on behalf of our clients, whether in arbitration, mediation, or litigation proceedings. We handle a broad range of disputes, including breach of contract, intellectual property infringement, and government investigations.
Security Clearance and Compliance: We assist individuals and entities in obtaining and maintaining security clearances necessary for engaging in defense-related work. Our attorneys provide guidance on navigating the security clearance process and represent clients in clearance hearings and appeals.
Corporate Transactions and Governance: Our firm advises defense industry companies on corporate transactions, mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures. We also provide guidance on corporate governance matters, helping clients establish effective compliance programs and internal controls.
Export Controls and International Trade: With extensive experience in export controls and an international network of like law firms to assist with international trade law, we help defense contractors navigate the complexities of exporting controlled technologies and complying with international trade regulations.
Why work with Ward and Smith?
Industry Expertise: Our attorneys possess in-depth knowledge and experience in the defense industry in North Carolina, allowing us to provide strategic and practical legal solutions tailored to the unique needs of our clients.
Client-Centered Approach: We prioritize client communication, responsiveness, and collaboration, ensuring we understand our client's objectives and concerns and work tirelessly to achieve their goals. We want to become a trusted advisor and a member of your team.
Proven Track Record: Our firm has a proven track record of successfully representing clients in the defense industry (including a former Member of Congress who served on the US House Armed Services Committee and a Retired Major General), earning a reputation for excellence and achieving client-desired outcomes in even the most challenging legal matters.
Commitment to Excellence: We are committed to upholding the highest standards of legal excellence, integrity, and professionalism in everything we do, earning the trust and confidence of our clients.
If you seek experienced legal representation in the defense industry in North Carolina, we invite you to contact our firm to schedule a consultation. Let us put our expertise to work for you.
We are your established legal network with offices in Asheville, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, and Wilmington, NC.
