Robert Nichols

Robert Nichols is a partner in the firm's Washington, DC office and co-chair of the firm's Government Contracts practice group.

Mr. Nichols' practice focuses on US procurement, regulatory, and litigation matters for contractors in the areas of defense and aerospace, large-scale construction, and international development.  His experience includes compliance counseling; litigating and arbitrating claims and terminations; leading teams defending against investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice, Inspectors General and Congress; suspension and debarment actions; procurement-related legislation; negotiating contract terms; due diligence for contractor M&A; Foreign Military Sales; security clearance issues; and risk mitigation techniques for contractors working overseas.

Mr. Nichols has been an active lecturer and author.  He has taught a course on international government and commercial contracts for Federal Publications Seminars and at various top defense and aerospace companies.

Representative Matters

• Lead counsel for an NGO in what is believed to be the largest USAID suspension and False Claims Act case ever brought.
• Representation of a top five defense & aerospace contractor on a range of bid protests, claims, and overseas contracting matters.
• Lead counsel for Fortune 50 aerospace contractor in seeking a “present responsibility” determination by its military customers following a deferred prosecution agreement with the Justice Department, a consent agreement with the State Department, and special interest from the Senate Armed Services Committee.
• Representation of a Middle East company on contracts with the U.S. State Department valued at $2 billion for the construction of embassies in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
• Representation of a Dubai-based energy company selling fuel to the Defense Department for military bases in the Middle East.
• Representation of multiple major defense contractors in successful defense of GAO bid protests relating to armored fighter vehicle procurements valued in excess of $40 billion.
• Lead counsel for a Fortune 50 contractor in $90 million claim against the government, settling the case at full value after extensive negotiations with USAID and the National Security Council.
• Advising some of the largest overseas contractors and NGOs in developing worldwide compliance programs, acquiring US subsidiaries, and navigating the regulatory environment to build US government contracts business.

Previous Experience

• Judge Advocate General, Honors Program of the U.S. Army Corps Engineers

Honors and Rankings

• Legal 500 US, Litigation - International Trade (2013)
• Washington DC Super Lawyers, Government Contracts (2013)
• Who's Who Legal, Public Procurement (2013)

Pro Bono

• Mr. Nichols' pro bono work includes being outside general counsel to the Army Engineer Association.

Memberships and Affiliations

• GW Law Government Contracting Industry Advisory Board, Member
• Founder and former Advisory Board Chair of the “International Government Contractor,” a Thomson West publication.
• American Bar Association, International Procurement Committee of the Section of Public Contract Law, former Chair
• American Society of International Law, Member

Publications and Speeches

• Robert Nichols was interviewed by Law360 in “Q&A With Covington's Robert Nichols” (2/28/2013).
• Mr. Nichols was quoted in the Washington Post article entitled, “U.S. Embassy in Baghdad Declared Ready, With Nudge by Rockets” (4/18/2008).

• "The Government Contracts Update," Covington E-Alert (8/7/2013), Co-Author
• "The Government Contracts Update," Covington E-Alert (7/23/2013), Co-Author
• "The Government Contracts Update," Covington E-Alert (7/12/2013), Co-Author