Government Contracts & National Security Associate Attorney

A Band 1 government contracts and national security practice seeks a mid-level associate for a fast-paced mix of litigation, investigations, export controls, cybersecurity, transactions, grants, and strategic counseling tied to major public-policy and nati

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Kendall Barnett
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Salary: $260,000 - $365,000 per year

A bit about us:

A globally recognized law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers across 16 offices is expanding several elite regulatory, transactional, and finance practices. The platform advises more than half of the Fortune 100 and is especially differentiated by its ability to combine sophisticated regulatory insight, high-stakes litigation strength, and complex transactional capability across more than 40 practice and industry groups.

Why join us?

Compensation

$260,000-$365,000 base salary; hours-based bonus eligible

Practice Ranking:
Chambers and Legal 500 Band 1 / market-leading

Hours:

2,000-hour bonus threshold; qualifying credit structure applied

Ranked among the top 10 firms on The American Lawyer's 2025 A-List, with 173 lawyers ranked by Chambers and 202 recognized by Legal 500 in 2026.

Collegial, team-oriented culture with meaningful responsibility, direct client exposure, and interdisciplinary work across offices and practices.

Robust associate development through formal partner, counsel, peer, and group mentoring; annual retreats; practice-specific training;
Trial School; deposition-skills workshops; and a proprietary in-house learning platform.

Associates may use up to 100 hours annually for a shadowing program that allows them to observe trials, hearings, client meetings, and other advanced professional activities.

Billable-hour framework: 2,000-hour annual bonus threshold, with market reporting indicating approximately 1,800 client-billable hours and up to 200 qualifying hours for pro bono and other approved activities.

Flexible hybrid culture historically recognized for allowing approximately 50% remote work, subject to client, team, office, and current firm expectations.

Exceptional pro bono platform: more than 107,000 pro bono hours recorded in 2025, with recent recognition from the Financial Times and Bloomberg Law.

Comprehensive attorney benefits, including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid leave, mental-health and well-being resources, medical concierge support, and commuter benefits.

Job Details

The Opportunity

• Litigate complex, multi-billion-dollar contract award challenges for aerospace, defense, technology, and government-contractor clients.
• Negotiate novel agreements with the federal government, including OTAs, CRADAs, and TIAs.
• Advise recipients and subrecipients of major federal grants, including Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS Act funding, on compliance and interpretation.
• Handle federal audits, enforcement actions, investigations, and controversies with awarding agencies.
• Counsel on export controls, cybersecurity, M&A, due diligence, purchase agreements, novations, and transactions involving government contractors.
• Work across all aspects of the practice, with meaningful exposure to litigation, investigations, regulatory issues, and transactions.

Candidate Profile

• Minimum three years of relevant legal experience and demonstrated interest in government contracts law.
• Strong research, writing, analytical, teamwork, and independent problem-solving skills.
• Excellent academic credentials and references.
• Current D.C. admission or eligibility for admission.
• Particularly Valuable Experience
• Federal Circuit or Court of Federal Claims clerkship, academic training in government contracts, or transactional experience involving government contractors.

Interested in hearing more? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Apply" button.

Jobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide an inclusive work environment that celebrates diversity and all qualified candidates receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Jobot also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.

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