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Whistleblower Protections for Prime and Sub Employees Expanded

Client Alert | 1 min read | 09.30.13

On September 30, 2013, the government amended the FAR and DFARS to enhance whistleblower protections for employees of government contractors and extend such protections to subcontractor employees. As discussed in a prior Crowell & Moring webinar, these enhanced protections, which also apply to non-defense contracts through a four-year "pilot program," broaden the scope of protected disclosures to include reporting an "abuse of authority," add new protections for internal disclosures to certain managerial employees, lower the burden of proof for demonstrating a "reprisal" against the whistleblower, and afford greater remedies such as compensatory damages and legal fees.


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Client Alert | 8 min read | 12.11.25

Director Squires Revamps the Workings of the U.S. Patent Office

In March 2025, President Trump nominated John A. Squires for the positions of Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). After being approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 20-2, Squires was confirmed by the Senate on September 17, 2025, by a vote of 51-47 after anti-filibuster measures were invoked. During and after the confirmation process, Squires emphasized several goals for the USPTO during his time as Director. Such goals included:...