Photograph of Catherine O. Shames

Education

  • Randolph-Macon Woman's College, B.A.
  • Duke University, Sanford School of Public Policy, M.P.P.
  • College of William & Mary, Mason School of Business, M.B.A.
  • College of William & Mary Marshall-Wythe School of Law, J.D.

Admissions

  • Admitted in Virginia Only
  • Practicing under the Supervision of D.C. Bar Members

Catherine O. Shames

, Associate Washington, D.C.
cshames@crowell.com
Phone: +1 202.688.3446
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20004-2595

Catherine O. Shames is an associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Crowell & Moring, where she is a member of the firm’s Government Contracts Group. 

Catherine’s government contracts practice focuses on contract claims/disputes under the Contract Disputes Act (CDA), prime-sub disputes, transactional due diligence, internal investigations, and disclosures under the Mandatory Disclosure Rule. She also assists contractors with cost allowability issues and responding to DCAA audits. 

Catherine is active in pro bono matters. She has represented low-income individuals in contested custody disputes and in housing disputes against landlords to remediate unsafe housing conditions.

Catherine received her J.D. and M.B.A. from the College of William & Mary. During law school, Catherine interned for the Honorable Lydia Kay Griggsby at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Catherine also completed U.S. Department of Justice internships with the Office of the Pardon Attorney, the Tax Division, the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, and the Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section.

Prior to law school, Catherine was a legal analyst at the nation’s largest military shipbuilding company where she gained valuable government contract experience. Catherine holds a Master of Public Policy degree from Duke University and a Bachelor’s degree from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College.


Affiliations

Admitted to practice: Virginia, U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia

Catherine is admitted in Virginia only, practicing under the supervision of D.C. Bar members.


Speeches & Presentations

  • "Accounting Cost & Pricing Compliance and Pitfalls," Government Contracts Breakfast Series, Herndon, VA (September 18, 2019). Presenters: Nicole Owren-Wiest, Elizabeth Buehler, Charles Baek, Michael G. Gruden, and Catherine O. Shames.

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