Leading Government Contracts Lawyer Joins Covington

Leading Government Contracts Lawyer Joins Covington

February 29, 2016

WASHINGTON, DC - Peter Hutt II has joined Covington as a partner in the Government Contracts practice. 

“Further enhancing Covington’s standing within the defense community as a leader in the False Claims Act and government cost accounting standards fields remains a key priority for the firm,” said Jennifer Plitsch, co-chair of the firm’s Government Contracts practice. “Peter has successfully established himself as a leader within the government contracts community and meaningfully augments our deep experience in these areas.” 

Mr. Hutt has represented clients in the full range of government contract and grant matters, including contract formation, contract disputes and claims, terminations, cost allowability and Cost Accounting Standards compliance issues, as well as contract financing, price reduction clause, subcontracting, and small business issues. He has litigated significant Cost Accounting Standards and contract claims matters in the Court of Federal Claims and the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals.

Mr. Hutt has also litigated more than 20 qui tam matters brought under the False Claims Act, including matters alleging Iraqi procurement fraud, cost misallocation, quality assurance deficiencies, substandard products, defective pricing, health care fraud, and false certifications. He has particular expertise in handling False Claims Act actions arising in connection with Department of Energy nuclear facilities.  He has conducted numerous internal investigations and frequently advises clients on whether to make disclosures of potential wrongdoing.

“I have long admired Covington and its high caliber of attorneys and believe that the firm’s senior lawyers and deep bench of associate talent will allow me to develop and grow my practice even further,” said Mr. Hutt. “The firm’s preeminent litigation strength will also benefit clients whose False Claims Act or procurement fraud cases go to court.”

Mr. Hutt received his B.A. from Yale University and his J.D. from Stanford Law School. He served as the senior articles editor of the Stanford Law Review and was a law clerk for Judges William Schwarzer and Vaughn Walker of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Last year, Covington significantly expanded its government contracts practice with the arrival of  20 top government contract lawyers from another firm, including that firm’s former group chair and leaders in contractor tort liability, bid protests, procurement fraud, suspension and debarment, trade secrets and employment. Those additions doubled the size of Covington’s government contracts group and placed it among the nation’s largest practices.