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Richard Beizer

Rick Beizer is a trial lawyer with years of experience first gained in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, where he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, and then at Crowell & Moring before joining Nichols Law. Rick devotes most of his time to the defense of companies and individuals involved in a broad array of white collar criminal grand jury investigations and trials. Rick also defends companies and individuals accused of civil violations of the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729 et seq., litigates complex commercial disputes, and conducts internal investigations.

Philip Beshara

Phil Beshara advises government contractors, defense technology companies, and emerging technology firms on high-stakes government affairs, regulatory, and legislative matters, working regularly with Capitol Hill, the White House, the Department of Defense, the State Department, and key national security agencies.  Mr. Beshara represents leading U.S. defense contractors in bid protest litigation across federal courts and tribunals, with over 12 years of experience, and has been "instrumental" in guiding clients through high-stakes Federal investigations and Congressional hearings. Mr. Beshara has cultivated what has been described as a truly “Washington practice,” sought after for his political acumen and strong bipartisan relationships on Capitol Hill and in the Executive Branch by clients across the aerospace, defense technology, and FinTech industries.  In 2024, Chambers USA profiled Mr. Beshara for his successful Federal Government Relations practice, highlighting one client's praise for Beshara as “a fantastic part of the team, tailoring his advice for us as a client” to achieve legislative solutions on Capitol Hill. Mr. Beshara's investigation work has included Congressional and Federal agency inquiries involving leading government contractors, as well as confidential internal-company investigations for global technology companies.  Mr. Beshara helped lead the preparation of a CEO of a leading transportation company through multiple rounds of televised Congressional hearings that were favorably received by legislators and staff. Mr. Beshara also counsels allied-nation defense and technology companies on structuring their entry into the U.S. defense market — advising on entity formation, Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) mitigation, CMMC cybersecurity readiness, facility clearance planning, and compliance frameworks for accessing controlled and classified U.S. government programs.  This practice area has grown as Foreign Military Sales activity accelerates and allied-nation companies seek to participate in the U.S. defense industrial base.

Michael Bhargava

Michael Bhargava’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation for government contractors, including False Claims Act and FCPA litigation, claims, bid protests, data security and privacy claims, defamation and First Amendment matters, immigration proceedings, and regulatory agency enforcement matters. Michael also has broad appellate experience, having handled numerous appeals, petitions for certiorari, and amicus briefs. He also has substantial experience in government and internal investigations related to procurement fraud, health care fraud, the FCPA, data security and privacy, financial fraud, market manipulation, and consumer product safety, with experience before the Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Consumer Product Safety Commission, state Attorneys General, and Congress.

David Bodenheimer

David Bodenheimer is a litigator with over 35 years of hands-on experience in federal government contracting. He has spent more than 100 days in the courtroom litigating contract disputes, False Claims Act suits, default terminations, prime/sub disputes, and other complex government contracts matters. David has litigated more than 60 bid protests in every major forum and is nationally ranked by The Legal 500 in Government Contracts. He also maintains a leading practice in cybersecurity, with over a decade advising government contractors, IT businesses, and Fortune 500 companies on cybersecurity, privacy, and information law in the public sector. Chambers describes him as a “leading lawyer within the cybersecurity space” and “the top expert on defective pricing.”

Haaleh Katouzian

Haaleh Katouzian, a senior associate at Nichols Law, focuses her practice on False Claims Act matters, including related investigations and litigation. She represents government contractors, health care providers, and individuals in high-stakes government investigations and litigation involving alleged FCA violations. Haaleh has advised some of the Firm’s most valued and sophisticated clients through all stages of FCA enforcement, including responding to Civil Investigative Demands issued by the Department of Justice or other agencies; engaging with DOJ regarding intervention decisions; and negotiating complex settlements with DOJ. Haaleh is a key member of the Firm’s FCA team and leads associates, staff attorneys, experts, and vendors on the Firm’s FCA teams in some of our most significant matters (some of which are noted herein). She is skilled in designing and carrying out internal investigations, attendant with any FCA matter, which are highly tailored to meet the matter’s (and client’s) needs. Haaleh is also a strategic thinker when it comes to litigation planning and its execution. Her deep understanding of FCA jurisprudence enables her to identify legal issues in litigation and investigations with precision and to develop compelling strategies to advance our client’s objectives. In tandem, Haaleh demonstrates outstanding client service, providing thoughtful guidance and meaningful communications through high-pressure matters.

Logan Kemp

Logan Kemp advises and represents government contractors in bid protests, Contract Disputes Act claims, and complex procurement disputes in matters before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, GAO, the boards of contract appeals, and federal district courts. Logan has successfully argued multiple cases before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in high-stakes procurement disputes.  In one matter, he secured victory after oral argument in a bid protest challenging a federal procurement valued at more than $1 billion.  In a separate case, he successfully presented oral argument in a jurisdictional challenge addressing issues at the forefront of federal procurement law.  He has experience handling False Claims Act matters and related internal investigations. In addition to litigation, Logan advises contractors in significant contract disputes and negotiations with federal agencies.  He has served as a lead negotiator in multi-million-dollar contract disputes, helping clients preserve claims, structure requests for equitable adjustment, and position matters for favorable resolution or litigation.  He also counsels contractors navigating evolving regulatory and policy developments affecting federal procurement and grant programs.  His experience includes counseling on compliance with federal small business regulations and advising contractors and grantees following the closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Robert Nichols

Robert Nichols is perhaps the nation’s leading government contracts lawyer specializing in international contracting matters, including, inter alia, those involving False Claims Act enforcement and collateral consequences/suspension and debarment. Robert Nichols helps government contractors solve complex legal problems and achieve their desired business solutions.  Robert has led several of the highest-profile matters in the industry, from challenging a $10.5 billion award at the Court of Federal Claims, to litigation arising from the Cuban government’s imprisonment of a contractor for espionage, to managing the largest suspension and debarment actions at DoD and USAID, to helping major contractors acquire market capabilities. According to Chambers USA: “Clients say:  ‘Robert Nichols is an outstanding strategist, good communicator, has an excellent bedside manner with executives and boards under stress, and good and timely follow-through.’  He is praised for his creative and entrepreneurial approach to issues across a broad range of industries.”

Robert Rhoad

Bob Rhoad is a trial lawyer with over 25 years of experience representing clients in complex, high-stakes criminal and civil matters. Bob’s practice primarily focuses on cases involving allegations of fraud in the government contracting and health care industries brought under the federal False Claims Act and state false claims laws, but it extends to a broad range of both white-collar criminal and complex civil litigation matters.

Steven Shaw

Steve Shaw is a nationally recognized authority on ethics, compliance, and suspension and debarment in federal contracting. He previously served as Deputy General Counsel of the U.S. Air Force and the Department’s first Air Force Suspension and Debarment Official (SDO), where he oversaw hundreds of contractor responsibility cases, including many involving alleged False Claims Act violations. In his capacity as the Air Force’s first SDO, Steve helped shape modern federal suspension and debarment policy.

Carla Weiss

Carla Weiss advises companies of all sizes on a broad range of high-stakes government contracts matters.  She is a highly regarded bid protest practitioner, with successful matters before the Government Accountability Office, Court of Federal Claims, Federal Circuit, SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals, and FAA Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition.  Known for providing strategic, business-oriented legal advice, she counsels clients throughout the acquisition process and represents both protesters challenging contract decisions and intervenors defending awards. Carla also represents contractors and subcontractors in claims litigation against the government and conducts internal investigations for government contractors.  Her practice includes counseling on complex regulatory and compliance matters, including FAR and DFARS interpretation, SBA small business and socioeconomic programs and eligibility, and foreign sourcing requirements.  Having completed multiple in-house secondments, she brings a practical, real-world understanding of the operational pressures facing government contractors to her client work. She was named a Law360 MVP in 2025 and a Rising Star in 2021.