WASHINGTON — Oct. 16, 2023
Key takeaways
- Kevin Barnett joins BakerHostetler’s Washington office as Counsel in the firm’s Business Practice Group and a member of the Government Contracts team.
- Barnett has nearly 15 years of experience representing clients ranging from large defense contractors to small technology companies in all aspects of government contracts law.
- Barnett’s hiring is the latest accomplishment for the bicoastal Government Contracts team, which recently saw Government Contracts co-leader Todd J. Canni ranked by Chambers nationally and named a 2023 Law360 Government Contracts MVP.
Why this matters
BakerHostetler is strategically focused on expanding its nationwide government contracts practice and helping clients across the country address their most pressing public procurement needs. With co-leaders Stephen Ruscus, based in Washington, and Canni, located in Los Angeles, the Government Contracts team is well positioned to serve clients coast to coast. Barnett’s arrival helps add further bench strength to the existing team and showcases the firm’s commitment to helping its clients navigate the complex government contracting landscape, from contract formation through closeouts, terminations and investigations.
Key quote
“Kevin, with his broad skill set and experience, is a welcome addition to our team,” said Ruscus. “His arrival continues our sustained growth over the past 18 months and reflects our strategic commitment to the continued build-out of the firm’s government contracts capabilities on both the East and West coasts.”
About Barnett’s practice
With over a decade of experience, Barnett routinely helps companies navigate the complex regulatory scheme imposed on contractors and helps contractors defend their rights through the bid protest and claims processes. Barnett has significant experience litigating claims against the United States before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and boards of contract appeals and against foreign governments in international arbitration. He has also litigated bid protests before the Government Accountability Office and the Court of Federal Claims as well as at the agency level. He helps contractors respond to performance issues, defend against terminations and assert claims against the government. He also helps file scores of requests for equitable adjustments and has helped several clients negotiate terminations for default into terminations for convenience.
Barnett also counsels companies in building the necessary systems and infrastructure to ensure success and offers guidance to companies wanting to expand into the federal marketplace. He is especially adept at advising clients on the Freedom of Information Act and has litigated many FOIA cases on both sides. He is an advocate for companies battling the government for records and for companies involved in disputes with the government. He has also defended companies whose information is being sought.
Key quote
“Kevin is an accomplished and highly experienced government contracts attorney with 13 years of experience working day in and day out on behalf of government contractors to resolve their most complex and significant matters,” said Canni. “He has a successful track record in the core areas of bid protests and contract claims, which further contributes to our team’s experience and success in these areas. We are delighted that Kevin chose to join our growing practice.”
BakerHostetler’s Business Practice Group handles thousands of corporate transactions each year. The full-service team, consisting of more than 250 attorneys in offices across the United States, has extensive experience closing all varieties of transactions — including merger and acquisition, private equity, real estate, debt finance, capital markets and securities, health care and regulatory, restructuring and bankruptcy, emerging company and venture capital, commercial transaction, and other matters central to a company’s success. A national group with a global reach, BakerHostetler’s Business Practice Group is consistently named a go-to firm by both Chambers USA and The Legal 500. For more information, visit bakerlaw.com/services/business/. Connect with us on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @BakerHostetler or on LinkedIn at @BakerHostetler, @StephenRuscus, @ToddCanni or @KevinBarnett.