Government Contracts Lawyer Robert Wagman Joins Bracewell in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bracewell LLP, a leading law and government relations firm, is pleased to announce that Robert J. Wagman Jr. has joined the firm as a partner in the Washington D.C. office, where he will help lead Bracewell’s government contracts practice. Wagman comes to Bracewell from Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP.

“Bob is a well-respected lawyer who will enhance our nationally recognized litigation, regulatory and government practices,” said Bracewell’s Managing Partner Gregory M. Bopp. “His extensive government contracting experience will be tremendously beneficial to our clients that interface with the Federal government.”

Wagman represents domestic and foreign companies that contract with the government across a broad range of industries, including energy, finance and technology. His broad-based government contracts experience includes litigation matters before courts and administrative tribunals, as well as transactional matters and regulatory compliance. Wagman also conducts internal investigations on behalf of companies and boards of directors and advises on self-disclosure obligations required by Federal government contracts.

Mark K. Lewis, managing partner of the firm’s Washington, D.C. office added, “Bob’s experience advising companies contracting with the Federal government is a natural fit for our clients and represents another important offering for our clients. I’ve known Bob for many years and am confident that his practice will enhance Bracewell’s Federal government focused service offering in Washington.”

Wagman represents government contractors in criminal investigations involving alleged misconduct related to government programs. In the bid protest arena, he represents both protesters and intervenors in matters at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Court of Federal Claims and before other agencies. Wagman’s recent experience includes the successful representation of a major defense contractor on a multi-billion dollar GAO protest, as well as the successful defense of a publicly-traded company in a criminal bid rigging investigation related to U.S. government contracts. He also has extensive experience in all stages of civil False Claims Act (qui tam) matters including early stage Department of Justice resolution, Inspector General investigations and dismissal of qui tam complaints.

“Bob is a tremendous lawyer with a great following in the government contracts space,” said Stephen B. Crain, the firm-wide chair of Bracewell’s litigation practice. “His demeanor and approach to cases aligns well with our client-first mantra, and we are excited to have Bob join Bracewell.”

“Federal procurement is a natural extension of Bracewell’s well-established regulatory, litigation and governmental groups and is an ideal fit for what we will be able to offer clients,” said Wagman. “I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead with Bracewell.”

In addition to his disputes practice, Wagman has significant transactional experience, including corporate transactions involving government contractors and foreign acquisitions requiring Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) mitigation procedures and Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) regulatory approvals. He also counsels clients on day-to-day contract matters, including government contract intellectual property issues and unique corporate compliance requirements.

Wagman earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland in 1992 and graduated cum laudewith his J.D. in 1999 from American University Washington College of Law.