Education

  • Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, B.S. (1998)
  • The George Washington University Law School, J.D. (2006) with high honors, The Order of the Coif

Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland

Languages

  • French (Proficient)
  • Spanish (Proficient)

Adelicia R. Cliffe

Partner
acliffe@crowell.com
+1.202.624.2816

Addie Cliffe helps companies in a broad range of industries — from professional services, software, and technology to traditional defense contracting — navigate the complex requirements around doing business with the U.S. government, with a particular focus on cross-border and national security issues. In addition, Addie advises clients on regulatory issues related to foreign investment in the United States, representing clients with respect to national security reviews by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and measures to mitigate foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI mitigation).

Addie is known for providing practical, business-forward guidance across a broad range of counseling, transactional, and litigation matters with respect to government contracts, international trade, and national security. She helps companies new to the government contracting space stand up robust compliance programs, and she helps long-standing government contractors enhance their compliance programs and address some of the most complex regulatory requirements, including domestic preferences, supply chain security, and industrial security related to classified contracting.

In addition, Addie has substantial experience representing contractors in internal and external investigations, voluntary and mandatory disclosures, and responding to government investigations and claims. Clients regularly rely on her to help them navigate and resolve issues, including with respect to Federal Supply Schedules with the General Services Administration, export controls under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, the Buy American Act, and the Trade Agreements Act.

Addie has deep experience in M&A and transactions for both the buy side (strategic and private equity) and sell side, leading government contracts and national security due diligence, and advising on the special regulatory requirements related to government contracting, cross-border investment, and national security issues. She takes a holistic approach to transactions, providing strategic guidance from the early stages through integration.

Addie is a member of Crowell’s Steering Committee for the Government Contracts Practice, co-chairs the firm’s National Security team, and is co-chair of the Talent Development Committee.


Representative Matters

Government Contracts Counseling

  • Assisted clients in the development, enhancement, and implementation of compliance programs.
  • Provided on-site training for companies on a range of issues, including ethics and compliance issues and basics of government contracting.
  • Counseled clients regarding mandatory disclosure obligations and related regulatory reporting processes.
  • Assisting clients in obtaining and maintaining facility clearances and compliance with the National Industrial Security Program regulations, including issues around the mitigation of foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI).
  • Counseled clients on issues related to supply chain security and sourcing restrictions.
  • Counseled clients on compliance with the Buy American Act, Trade Agreements Act, and other domestic preference regimes (e.g., the various Department of Transportation agencies’ Buy America requirements, the IIJA Buy America requirements, domestic content requirements applicable to Foreign Military Financing).
  • Counseled clients on compliance with GSA Schedule compliance issues.

Government Contracts Due Diligence and Transactions

  • Performed government contracts and international trade diligence, for both buyers and sellers, representing government contractors in a range of industries, such as Accenture Federal Services and HP Company.
  • Advised clients on special regulatory requirements related to cross-border investment and national security matters, including reviews conducted by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), compliance with the National Industrial Security Program and mitigation of Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI mitigation).
  • Provided guidance on government contracts and trade issues in the integration of newly acquired companies into the buyer’s organization, such as the execution of novation agreements and the transfer of export authorizations.

Government Contracts Litigation and Investigations

  • Assisted contractors in performing internal investigations and defending against Government investigations into various compliance issues (e.g., non-compliance with domestic preferences, special requirements related to FMF-funded contracts, GSA Schedule pricing requirements).
  • Assisted contractors in drafting and settling voluntary, directed, and mandatory disclosures.
  • Assisted clients in bringing claims against government customers, responding to cure notices, and defending against terminations for default.
  • Represented contractors in investigations related to the civil False Claims Act.


Insights

Speeches & Presentations


Publications


Client Alerts & Newsletters


Press Coverage


Firm News & Announcements

June 1, 2022 Chambers USA 2022 Ranks 70 Crowell & Moring Lawyers and 37 Practice Areas Among Best in U.S.
May 20, 2021 Chambers USA 2021 Ranks 63 Crowell & Moring Lawyers and 30 Practice Areas Among Best in U.S.
April 23, 2020 Chambers USA 2020 Ranks 53 Crowell & Moring Lawyers and 21 Practice Areas Among Best in U.S.
April 29, 2019 Chambers USA 2019 Ranks 53 Crowell & Moring Lawyers and 21 Practice Areas Among Best in U.S.
February 22, 2019 Law360 Names Crowell & Moring's Government Contracts Group a "Practice Group of the Year" for the Ninth Consecutive Year
January 9, 2017 Crowell & Moring Elects Six New Partners and Promotes 19 Associates to Counsel
November 30, 2016 Super Lawyers Recognizes 71 Crowell & Moring Lawyers Across United States
January 9, 2015 Crowell & Moring's Government Contracts Group Named to Law360's "Practice Groups of the Year" for Fifth Consecutive Year
January 26, 2012 Crowell & Moring Elects Seven New Partners and Promotes 22 Attorneys to Counsel Positions