Nichols Law

Bid Protests

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.

Prior to joining the firm, Carla was a partner and senior associate at two Washington, D.C.-based AmLaw-ranked firms.  She also served as a law clerk to former United States Senator Arlen Specter on the Senate Judiciary Committee, worked at the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and interned with the White House Office of Public Liaison.

English

Bar and Court Admissions

District of Columbia Bar U.S. Court of Federal Claims U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Education

University of Chicago Law School, J.D., 2010 Wellesley College, B.A., 2003

Carla serves on the Board of Directors of the Junior League of Northern Virginia, where she helps guide governance and leads initiatives to strengthen member engagement and participation.

Outside of her practice, Carla enjoys hosting dinner parties and reading contemporary fiction, and is an enthusiastic (if still learning) chess player.