Amanda H. McDowell is an associate in the Government Contracts and Health Care groups in Crowell & Moring’s Washington, D.C. office. Amanda represents contractors in litigation, regulatory, and counseling matters. Her practice focuses on False Claims Act litigation, government investigations, claims and disputes litigation, bid protests, and state and federal regulatory compliance.
Amanda also maintains an active pro bono practice, with recent matters including representation of clients seeking legal immigration status under the Violence Against Women Act.
While in law school, Amanda was the editor-in-chief of the Public Contract Law Journal and a member of the Moot Court Board, Mock Trial Board, and Alternative Dispute Resolution Board. Amanda was a finalist and the highest-scoring competitor in the 2020 Government Contracts Moot Court Competition and served as chair for the 2021 competition. She was also a recipient of the Roger N. Boyd Memorial Scholarship, the 2020 National Association of State Procurement Officials Academic Scholarship, and the 2021 National Contract Management Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, all recognizing her academic success in government procurement while at GW Law. Prior to joining Crowell & Moring, Amanda interned with the World Bank’s Office of Suspension and Debarment and for the Honorable Jimmie V. Reyna at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Affiliations
Admitted to practice: Virginia, District of Columbia; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
Professional Activities and Memberships
- ABA Section of Public Contract Law
- American Health Law Association
Honors and Awards
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Full Section Diversity Scholarship 2022-2024, ABA Section of Public Contract Law
Speeches & Presentations
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“The 101 of 101: The Foundations of Government Contracting,” GC 101: Back to Basics, Washington, D.C.
(September 21, 2022).
Presenters: Craig Barrett, Per Midboe, Payal Nanavati, and Amanda McDowell.
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“The Essence of Claims,” GC 101: Back to Basics, Washington, D.C.
(September 21, 2022).
Presenters: Charles Baek, Eric Herendeen, Alex Barbee-Garrett, and Amanda McDowell.
Publications
Client Alerts & Newsletters
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"ASBCA's FY2022 Report – A Look at the Numbers,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(November 9, 2022).
Contacts: Stephen J. McBrady, Skye Mathieson, Michelle D. Coleman, John Nakoneczny, Amanda H. McDowell
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"U.S. Supreme Court Poised to Resolve Two FCA Circuit Splits,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(June 22, 2022).
Contacts: Brian Tully McLaughlin, Michael Shaheen, Lyndsay A. Gorton, Amanda H. McDowell
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"Not-So-Charitable Donations: DOJ Achieves a $20 Million Settlement for a Backdoor Donation Scheme for Increased Medicaid Contributions,"
Health Care Alert
(April 20, 2022).
Contacts: Amanda H. McDowell, Michael Shaheen
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"The FCA Does Not Assess Liability Through Ambush: Fourth Circuit Joins the List of Circuits Applying Safeco Inquiry to Legally False Claims,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(March 10, 2022).
Contacts: Brian Tully McLaughlin, Lyndsay A. Gorton, Amanda H. McDowell
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"Second Circuit Reinforces the Relator’s Burden to Plead Materiality,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(February 4, 2022).
Contacts: Brian Tully McLaughlin, Matthew Vicinanzo, Ellie Riegel, Amanda H. McDowell
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"To Be, or Not to Be: The ASBCA Holds that a Cost is Not “Incurred” Without a Legal Obligation to Pay,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(January 18, 2022).
Contacts: Nicole Owren-Wiest, Erin Rankin, Amanda H. McDowell
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"Not So Majeure—GAO Finds Agency Properly Rejected a Bid Classifying All COVID-19-Related Events as an Excusable Cause of Delay,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(December 13, 2021).
Contacts: Daniel R. Forman, Cherie J. Owen, Alexandra Barbee-Garrett, Rina M. Gashaw, Amanda H. McDowell
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"Tipping the Scales: Third Circuit Weighs in on Circuit Split Regarding the Government’s Dismissal Authority Over False Claims Act Qui Tams,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(November 9, 2021).
Contacts: Brian Tully McLaughlin, Michael Shaheen, Lyndsay A. Gorton, Amanda H. McDowell
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"Task Force Issues New FAQs for Contractor Vaccine Requirements,"
(November 1, 2021).
Contacts: Peter Eyre, Thomas P. Gies, Kris D. Meade, Michelle D. Coleman, Katie Erno, Rina M. Gashaw, Amanda H. McDowell
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"Executive Order 14042 Agency Class Deviation Guidance, A Side-by-Side Comparison,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(October 8, 2021).
Contacts: Peter Eyre, Thomas P. Gies, Stephen J. McBrady, Kris D. Meade, Nicole Owren-Wiest, Michelle D. Coleman, Katie Erno, Rina M. Gashaw, Amanda H. McDowell