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Samantha Clark practices in the firm’s Public Policy Practice Group as well as the CFIUS and Government Contracts groups. Ms. Clark provides advisory and advocacy support to clients facing policy, political, and regulatory challenges in the aerospace, defense, and national security sector.
Before joining the firm, Samantha Clark served in a number of senior staff positions on the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, most recently as Deputy Staff Director and General Counsel. In this role, she managed the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual defense policy bill that authorizes the Defense Department’s budget. Ms. Clark worked on Chairman McCain's legislative priorities to modernize the military retirement system and reform the defense acquisition system and served as an investigative counsel for the committee's inquiry into cyber intrusions affecting U.S. Transportation Command contractors. During her time on the committee, she managed a multi-billion dollar policy portfolio that covered acquisition law and policy, national security law and policy, military, civilian, and acquisition workforce policy, congressional investigations, military end strength authorizations, military pay and compensation, law of war and detainee issues, and women in combat.
The Secretary of the Navy awarded Ms. Clark the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award for her "exceptional service to the Department of the Navy as Deputy Staff Director of the Senate Armed Services Committee," and the Department of the Air Force awarded Ms. Clark her second Distinguished Public Service Award for her work leading specific legislative initiatives to modernize acquisition authorities and reform the military and civilian personnel systems in support of the Air Force during her tenure on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Memberships and Affiliations
- Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress Senior Advisor
- American Bar Association Standing Committee on Armed Forces Law
- American Bar Association National Appellate Moot Court Judge
- Federalist Society Capitol Hill Chapter
- University of Kansas School of Law D.C. Advisory Council
- Arizona Bar Association
Previous Experience
- U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Deputy Staff Director and General Counsel; Deputy General Counsel; Counsel; Associate Counsel
- Romney for President, State of Iowa Campaign Staff
- U.S. Department of Defense: National Guard Bureau, Office of the Chief Counsel
- U.S. Department of Defense: Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy, Homeland Defense
- Douglas County Kansas District Attorney's Office
December 17, 2019, Inside Government Contracts
On December 13, the Department of Defense (“DoD”) released the latest version of its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (“CMMC”). This is the third iteration of the draft model that DoD has publicly released since it issued the first draft in October. (We previously discussed Version 0.4 and Version 0.6 of the CMMC in prior blog...… Continue ...
Commerce Department Proposes Rule Impacting Information and Communications Technology Supply Chains
December 3, 2019, Global Policy Watch
On November 27, 2019, the Department of Commerce issued a proposed rule to implement the May 15, 2019 Executive Order entitled “Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain.” Once finalized and effective, the regulations will govern the process and procedures that the Secretary of Commerce will use to determine whether ...
Commerce Department Proposes Rule Impacting Information and Communications Technology Supply Chains
December 3, 2019, Inside Government Contracts
On November 27, 2019, the Department of Commerce issued a proposed rule to implement the May 15, 2019 Executive Order entitled “Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain.” Once finalized and effective, the regulations will govern the process and procedures that the Secretary of Commerce will use to determine whether ...
December 2019, Government Contracting Law Report
November 27, 2019, Covington Alert
The Department of Commerce (“the Department”) has issued a proposed rule implementing the May 15, 2019 Executive Order entitled “Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain,” which we previously analyzed here. Once finalized and effective, the regulations will govern the process and procedures that the Secretary of Commerce ...
November 13, 2019, Inside Government Contracts
On November 7, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition released Version 0.6 of its draft Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) for public comment. The CMMC was created in response to growing concerns by Congress and within DoD over the increased presence of cyber threats and intrusions aimed at the Defense Industrial...… ...
September 27, 2019, National Defense Magazine
September 11, 2019, Gov Info Security
Susan Cassidy, Samantha Clark, Ryan Burnette, and Ian Brekke are mentioned in Gov Info Security regarding their blog post analyzing the CMMC draft. "The guidance offers no insight into how DOD will determine the CMMC certification level required for each contract solicitation or whether it intends to standardize a process for making such determinations across ...
DoD Releases Public Draft of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification and Seeks Industry Input
September 6, 2019, Global Policy Watch
On September 4, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition released Version 0.4 of its draft Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) for public comment. The CMMC was created in response to growing concerns by Congress and within DoD over the increased presence of cyber threats and intrusions aimed at the Defense Industrial...… ...
DoD Releases Public Draft of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification and Seeks Industry Input
September 6, 2019, Inside Government Contracts
On September 4, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition released Version 0.4 of its draft Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) for public comment. The CMMC was created in response to growing concerns by Congress and within DoD over the increased presence of cyber threats and intrusions aimed at the Defense Industrial...… ...
September 3, 2019, Inside Government Contracts
The FAR Council released an Interim Rule in August implementing part of Section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. In this briefing, we highlight points where the Interim Rule provides clarity; definitional issues that remain unresolved; and new procedural requirements that government contractors should track. The ...
September 3, 2019, Global Policy Watch
The FAR Council released an Interim Rule in August implementing part of Section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. In this briefing, we highlight points where the Interim Rule provides clarity; definitional issues that remain unresolved; and new procedural requirements that government contractors should track. The ...
August 28, 2019, Covington Alert
On August 23, 2019, President Donald J. Trump tweeted: "Our great American companies are hereby ordered to immediately start looking for an alternative to China, including bringing . . . your companies HOME and making your products in the USA."
June 14, 2019, Government Contracting Law Report
May 16, 2019, Covington Alert
We are writing to provide an update on two important developments in U.S. national security-based regulation of trade: (1) a new, potentially expansive Executive Order on information and communications technology supply into the U.S. market, and (2) the Department of Commerce’s action to add Huawei to the Entity List.
May 8, 2019, Global Policy Watch
The Department of Defense (“DoD” or “the Department”) released its annual report to Congress on the Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) on May 2, 2019. This annual report details DoD’s assessment of Chinese security strategy and military strategy over the next 20 years, with a particular focus on China’s...… ...
April 15, 2019, Global Policy Watch
The Senate Armed Services Committee heard testimony last week from Acting Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan, Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, Marine General Joe Dunford (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), and Air Force General John Hyten (Commander of U.S. Strategic Command and the presumptive next Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs)....… Continue ...
March 28, 2019, Global Policy Watch
On March 26, 2019, the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Cybersecurity held a hearing to receive testimony assessing how the Department of Defense’s (“DOD”) cybersecurity policies and regulations have affected the Defense Industrial Base (“DIB”). To gain a better understanding of the DIB’s cybersecurity concerns, the Subcommittee invited William LaPlante, ...
March 28, 2019, Inside Government Contracts
On March 26, 2019, the Senate Armed Services’ Subcommittee on Cybersecurity held a hearing to receive testimony assessing how the Department of Defense’s (“DOD”) cybersecurity policies and regulations have affected the Defense Industrial Base (“DIB”). To gain a better understanding of the DIB’s cybersecurity concerns, the Subcommittee invited William LaPlante, ...
February 26, 2019, Inside Government Contracts
The Section 809 Panel recently concluded its monumental analysis of defense acquisition law and regulations and released its third volume of recommended changes. As we have written previously, the Panel’s work stands out from previous acquisition reform efforts with the appendices of detailed legislative and regulatory changes that accompany the commissioners’ ...
February 26, 2019, Global Policy Watch
The Section 809 Panel recently concluded its monumental analysis of defense acquisition law and regulations and released its third volume of recommended changes. As we have written previously, the Panel’s work stands out from previous acquisition reform efforts with the appendices of detailed legislative and regulatory changes that accompany the commissioners’ ...
February 19, 2019, Inside Government Contracts
On February 12, 2019 the Department of Defense released a summary and supplementary fact sheet of its artificial intelligence strategy (“AI Strategy”). The AI Strategy has been a couple of years in the making as the Trump administration has scrutinized the relative investments and advancements in artificial intelligence by the United States, its allies and...… ...
February 14, 2019, Global Policy Watch
On February 12, 2019 the Department of Defense released a summary and supplementary fact sheet of its artificial intelligence strategy (“AI Strategy”). The AI Strategy has been a couple of years in the making as the Trump administration has scrutinized the relative investments and advancements in artificial intelligence by the United States, its allies and...… ...
January 23, 2019
WASHINGTON—Samantha Clark has joined Covington in its Public Policy, CFIUS, and Government Contracts practices in Washington. Ms. Clark’s arrival follows the recent additions of former U.S. Senator Jon Kyl and Broderick Johnson to the firm’s Public Policy practice. Ms. Clark provides advisory and advocacy support to clients facing policy, political, and ...
2017, Joint Forces Quarterly
Inquiry Into Cyber Intrusions Affecting U.S. Transportation Command Contractors
2014, 113th Congress, 2nd Session
- The Department of the Air Force Distinguished Public Service Award (2019)
- The Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award (2018)
- The Minuteman Award, given by the Chief of the National Guard Bureau (2018)
- Iowa STATEment Maker Award, Iowa State University Alumni Association (2017)
- The Militia Award, given by the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (2016)
- Alumni Achievement Award, Department of Political Science, Iowa State University (2016)
- Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award, Iowa State University (2009)
Global Supply Chain Toolkit
We help clients navigate the legal, reputational, and regulatory risks that can arise across their global supply chains.
Education
University of Kansas School of Law, J.D.
- Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy
- Moot Court Council
Iowa State University, B.A.
- magna cum laude
- Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award Recipient
U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College
- Professional Military Education