Boutique government contracts firm Nichols Liu is first port of call for contractors operating in the USAID space, in addition to offering the breadth of traditional bid protests, claims, suspension and debarment proceedings, investigations, and M&A. In particular, the group boasts key industry relationships and experience in the defense, aerospace, and tech spaces. Working out of Washington DC, leadership of the team is shared between three co-chairs: Robert Nichols, a pillar of the international contracting arena, who counts among his most high-profile successes a bid protest for global HIV vaccine distribution, as well as several large suspensions of defense and USAID contractors; Andy Liu, whose practice focuses on federal litigation, FCA matters, the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act, investigations, and compliance counseling; and Lynne Halbrooks, a key asset in assisting contractors manage compliance and enforcement risks.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Nichols Liu is very client-focused by helping us advance our business and not purely on legal issues.’
‘Robert Nichols has a keen business mind (as well as legal) and is very creative when it comes to problem solving. He is also well connected and able to facilitate many introductions to helpful individuals and firms.’
‘Robert Nichols is an amazing lawyer who thinks like a business partner. His approach is unique from my experience and we have come to trust him implicitly.’
‘Nichols Liu is the perfect combination of smart, tenacious and client-friendly. The firm hires the right people, lawyers with sectoral experience, and sets a tone of realism and intensity in assessing and conducting issues on behalf of clients.’
‘Their billing practices are clear, transparent and fair.’
‘Robert Nichols is an acknowledged leader in the federal contracting industry, and deservedly so. Robert's extensive knowledge of contract law, his government contact base and his mental acuity make him the ideal partner for us.’
Robert Nichols starts every engagement with a realistic appraisal of the situation - he never pushes us into losing situations and often counsels caution. When he does engage, it is with a ferocity that makes certain our interests are front and center. I couldn't ask for more in a legal partner.’
Key clients
- Amentum
- Aptim
- AECOM
- CRDF Global
- DAI
- Dexis
- Geotab
- Tetra Tech
- DT Global
- Siemens Government Technologies
Work highlights
- Represented CRDF Global in developing special contracting vehicles to assist the State Department in supporting key allies including Ukraine and Costa Rica on cybersecurity defenses.
- Represented Aptim-Amentum Joint Venture in successfully protesting a $100m award for environmental remediation in Alaska.
- Represented Amentum in protesting the State Department’s award of a contract for embassy operations in Russia and Beijing.
Lawyers
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Robert Nichols; Andy Liu; Lynne Halbrooks