Ms. McDowell has over seventeen years experience in federal
procurement matters. Prior to and during law school, Ms. McDowell
worked as a Contract Specialist and Procurement Analyst for the
Department of Navy where she was responsible for negotiating
large-dollar contracts as well as developing, implementing, and
reviewing procurement policy and procedures. Since her graduating from
Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law, magna cum laude, Ms.
McDowell’s legal practice has largely focused on government contract
litigation and counseling. She has advised clients on contract
formation, negotiations, teaming agreements, performance disputes,
audits, cost accounting, commercial items, intellectual property,
terminations, and civil fraud investigations. Her clients span many
industries, with many concentrated in the areas of aerospace, defense,
telecommunications, health care, and homeland security.
Ms.
McDowell has litigated numerous complex contract cases before federal
district courts, the United States Court of Federal Claims, and federal
agency boards of contract appeals. She has also represented clients in
bid protest actions and handles several arbitration and mediation
proceedings.
A significant portion of Ms. McDowell’s practice has involved helping
companies defend against investigations, prosecutions and civil suits
alleging fraud, and representing clients in False Claims Act qui tam
suits. This often includes advising clients on parallel criminal
proceedings and attendant suspension, debarment, and employment issues.
Rounding out Ms. McDowell’s government contract practice is her
experience in other federally regulated industries as well as her
understanding of commercial matters. With respect to the former, she
has represented clients in regulatory proceedings before such
authorities as the Federal Communications Commission, Surface
Transportation Board, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission. Turning to the latter, Ms. McDowell
has represented clients in several commercial matters including class
actions, antitrust lawsuits, employment issues, trademark
infringements, and contract disputes.
Ms. McDowell is admitted to the bar in Washington, D.C. and Florida.
