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RICK VACURA is an experienced government contracts trial lawyer
who has litigated cases involving major weapons and space systems, software development, communications systems, prime/subcontract
disputes, bid protests, injunctive suits, procurement fraud, FOIA actions, and the Federal Tort Claims Act. He has in-depth
experience conducting internal investigations involving false claims and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations, and defending
suspension and debarment actions. He has built a solid reputation as a tough but fair litigator who strategically picks his
battles and always keeps his eye on the client's overall goals and objectives.
Major companies, both domestic and international, rely on Rick's broad experience
that is based on over twenty years of effectively resolving the toughest of government contract issues, first as a government
lawyer, and then in private practice, including as the acting division counsel for a major defense contractor earlier in his
career. He regularly serves as the primary government contracts counsel and transactional attorney to clients that range from
start-ups to major public companies, providing due diligence reviews for domestic and foreign acquisitions, drafting and negotiating
teaming and joint venture agreements, counseling on novation and assignment issues, technical data and nondisclosure agreements,
export control, small business, international anti-corruption, national security, and standard domestic and international
solicitations and contract/subcontract terms and conditions. Rick currently holds a secret level security clearance.
Rick is an acknowledged leader in the government contracts bar,
holding leadership positions in the American Bar Association's Public Contract Law Section, including the Contract Claims
and Disputes Resolution Committee and the International Procurement Committee. He was named a Top Government Contracts Lawyer
by the Washington Business Journal, and has been named for the past several years by Chambers USA as one of the country's
leading lawyers in Government Contracts Law. He is AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell's highest peer
recognition for ethical standards and legal ability.
Rick entered private practice after serving from 1982 to 1992 as a major in the U.S.
Air Force Judge Advocate General's Department. As an Air Force lawyer, he served as a trial attorney for
the Air Force Contract Litigation Division at the Pentagon, a procurement legal advisor for the Ballistic Missile Organization
in California, a criminal defense counsel, and a prosecutor. Rick has lectured and conducted seminars
on a variety of federal procurement topics for eGov, Federal Publications, the Contract Services Association of America, the
Council of Defense & Space Industry Associations, the National Contract Management Association and various Department
of Defense organizations.
Rick is admitted to the bars of Virginia,
Minnesota and the District of Columbia, as well as the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the Court of Federal Claims,
and the District Court for the District of Columbia. He received his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law in 1983 and
his LL.M. in government procurement law from the George Washington University Law School in 1991. He graduated from the University
of Texas with honors in 1974 (B.A., political science and psychology).
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