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For Whom Does the Appeal Clock Toll? Vitiation vs. Finality

Client Alert | 1 min read | 01.12.16

In Guardian Angels Med. Serv. Dogs Inc. v. U.S. (Jan. 8, 2016), the Federal Circuit held that a CO's request to evaluate additional information after a default termination "vitiated the finality" of the termination and reset the 12-month appeal clock, even though the CO neither received new information nor spent any time reconsidering her decision. Reversing the CFC's dismissal of the appeal as time-barred, the court held that, when a CO "evince[s] a clear willingness to consider additional evidence," the appeal period begins anew, rather than merely being suspended, and explained that "whether the contracting officer 'spends time' considering the request is not the proper standard."

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Client Alert | 3 min read | 11.05.25

Five State Attorneys General Claim Sustainable Plastics Collaborations May Violate Antitrust and Consumer Protection Laws

On October 29, 2025, the attorneys general of Florida, Texas, Iowa, Nebraska, and Montana (the “State AGs”) jointly issued letters to three sustainability groups asserting that their plastics recycling initiatives may violate state and federal antitrust and consumer protection laws....