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    Global Problem Solving from Covington: Deal with Complex Problems Anywhere in the World

    • Apr 08, 2021

Scott A. Freling

Partner

Washington +1 202 662 5244

  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Scott Freling divides his practice between representing civilian and defense contractors in traditional government contracts matters and guiding buyers and sellers—including a number of leading private equity firms—through the regulatory aspects of complex government contracts M&A deals.

    Scott is sought after for his regulatory expertise and his ability to apply that knowledge to the transactional environment. Scott has deep experience leading classified and unclassified due diligence reviews of government contractors, negotiating transaction documents, and assisting with integration and other post-closing activities. He has been the lead government contracts lawyer in dozens of M&A deals, with a combined value of more than $55 billion. This has included Veritas Capital’s pending acquisition of Cubic, Peraton’s pending acquisition of Perspecta, and Amentum’s acquisition of DynCorp International.

    Scott also represents contractors at all stages of the procurement process and in their dealings with federal, state, and local government customers. He handles a wide range of government contracts matters, including compliance counseling, claims, disputes, audits, and investigations. In addition, Scott counsels clients on risk mitigation strategies, including obtaining SAFETY Act liability protection for anti-terrorism technologies.

    Scott is a Co-Chair of the Mergers and Acquisitions Committee of the ABA’s Public Contract Law Section. He has been recognized by Law360 as a “Rising Star” in government contracts.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters

    Government Contracts M&A

    • Represented Amentum in its acquisition of DynCorp International.
    • Represented Elbit Systems in its various transactions, including its $350 million acquisition of Harris’ Night Vision business and its pending $380 million acquisition of Sparton.
    • Represented Hewlett Packard Enterprise in its $1.3 billion acquisition of Cray (NASDAQ: CRAY).
    • Represented Lindsay Goldberg in its investments in PAE and ECS Federal.
    • Represented Peraton in its acquisitions of Solers and Northrop Grumman’s Federal IT and Mission Support Services business and its pending $7.1 billion acquisition of Perspecta (NYSE: PRSP).

    • Represented Veritas Capital in numerous transactions, including its acquisitions of Alion Science and Technology, Gainwell Technologies, Guidehouse, and Peraton, and its pending $2.8 billion acquisition of Cubic (NYSE: CUB).
    • Represented Warburg Pincus in multiple transactions, including its investment in Infoblox and its acquisition of Sweeping Corp of America.

    Other Government Contracts and SAFETY Act Matters

    • Defended a technology solutions contractor against a threatened termination for default.
    • Assisted a major defense contractor in preparing a request for equitable adjustment for COVID-related disruptions.
    • Represented a government services contractor in the investigation of alleged non-compliance with pricing requirements in a state government contract.
    • Assisted a healthcare technology solutions provider with an assessment and disclosure of possible organizational conflicts of interest.
    • Represented a national security contractor in responding to time mischarging allegations from an agency Inspector General.
    • Represented several sports and entertainment venues in obtaining SAFETY Act protection from the Department of Homeland Security for their respective security programs.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., 2005
        • The Wharton School, Certificate in Business and Public Policy
    • Washington University, A.B., 2002
        • summa cum laude
    Bar Admissions
    • District of Columbia
    • Maryland
    Judicial Clerkship
    • Hon. Susan G. Braden, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, 2005 - 2006
    Pro Bono
    • Member of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia’s Advisory Committee on Pro Se Litigation.
    • Represented a domestic violence shelter during a series of audits and investigations by its funding agency and the D.C. Office of Inspector General.
    • Represented a World War II veteran before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the Board of Veterans’ Appeals to obtain compensation for injuries sustained during his active-duty service.
    Accolades
    • Law360, Government Contracts "Rising Star" (2015) 
    • Legal 500 US, Government Contracts (2015-2017)
    • Washington DC Super Lawyers, Government Contracts "Rising Star" (2014-2018)
    Memberships and Affiliations
    • American Bar Association, Section of Public Contract Law
    • National Defense Industrial Association

    Areas of Expertise

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