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Amanda H. McDowell

Associate | She/Her/Hers

Overview

Amanda specializes in litigating on behalf of government contractors.  She advises clients facing high-stakes investigations and allegations initiated by the federal government or relators under the False Claims Act.  Amanda also assists clients in affirmatively asserting claims against the government and helps strategize with clients defending against government-asserted claims concerning issues that arise in the course of contract performance.  Her expertise in federal procurement regulations enable her to guide clients through an array of procurement litigation disputes.

Amanda is an associate in the Government Contracts Group based in Crowell & Moring’s Washington, D.C. office focusing on False Claims Act litigation, government investigations, claims and disputes litigation, and state and federal regulatory compliance.

Her experience includes:

  • Counseling and strategizing with government contractors on performance disputes and compliance issues, including potential terminations, overpayments, requests for equitable adjustments, claims, contract changes, and allegations of noncompliance with various contract requirements and cost accounting practices;
  • Representing government contractors before the Boards of Contract Appeals in litigation both defending against Government-asserted claims and affirmatively asserting claims against the Government;
  • Advising clients on cost accounting practices, internal compliance policies and procedures, and litigation strategies that impact business decisions;
  • Representing government contractors in the defense industry in False Claims Act litigation and investigations initiated by whistleblowers and the Government.

Amanda also maintains an active pro bono practice representing survivors of domestic violence.  She regularly assists clients seeking civil protective orders in abusive situations and has also represented 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.

Career & Education

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    • University of Delaware, B.A., psychology and criminal justice, 2017
    • The George Washington University Law School, J.D., with honors, 2021
    • University of Delaware, B.A., psychology and criminal justice, 2017
    • The George Washington University Law School, J.D., with honors, 2021
    • Virginia
    • District of Columbia
    • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
    • Virginia
    • District of Columbia
    • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
  • Professional Activities and Memberships

    • Vice-Chair, ABA Section of Public Contract Law, Young Lawyers Committee August 2023 - August 2024
    • ABA Section of Public Contract Law 
    • American Health Law Association

     

    Honors and Awards

    • Full Section Diversity Scholarship 2022-2024, ABA Section of Public Contract Law

    Professional Activities and Memberships

    • Vice-Chair, ABA Section of Public Contract Law, Young Lawyers Committee August 2023 - August 2024
    • ABA Section of Public Contract Law 
    • American Health Law Association

     

    Honors and Awards

    • Full Section Diversity Scholarship 2022-2024, ABA Section of Public Contract Law

Amanda's Insights

Client Alert | 1 min read | 03.12.24

The Top FCA Developments of 2023

2023 brought many important False Claims Act developments for companies with business involving government funds.  While overall recoveries remained down compared to pre-2022 levels, the total number of settlements and judgments exceeded any prior year.  Those settlements and judgments also highlight areas of particular focus for the Government, including cybersecurity compliance, pandemic fraud, and small business fraud, among others.  Of particular note, 2023 saw the U.S. Supreme Court issue decisions concerning the Government’s authority to dismiss qui tam actions and the critical element of scienter/knowledge that will have wide-reaching impact.  The courts of appeals also issued significant decisions on damages, materiality, and more.  Crowell attorneys discuss these highlights and others in a "Feature Comment" published in The Government Contractor....

Representative Matters

  • Representing government contractors in the defense and health care industries in FCA litigation and investigations initiated by whistleblowers and the government.
  • Conducting internal investigations for private companies facing noncompliance and fraud allegations.
  • Counseling government contractors on performance disputes and compliance issues, including potential terminations, overpayments, and cost accounting practices.
  • Representing government contractors before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals in litigation defending compliance with cost accounting practices.
  • Representing businesses engaged in federal procurement before the Boards of Contract Appeals in affirmatively asserting claims against the government.

Amanda's Insights

Client Alert | 1 min read | 03.12.24

The Top FCA Developments of 2023

2023 brought many important False Claims Act developments for companies with business involving government funds.  While overall recoveries remained down compared to pre-2022 levels, the total number of settlements and judgments exceeded any prior year.  Those settlements and judgments also highlight areas of particular focus for the Government, including cybersecurity compliance, pandemic fraud, and small business fraud, among others.  Of particular note, 2023 saw the U.S. Supreme Court issue decisions concerning the Government’s authority to dismiss qui tam actions and the critical element of scienter/knowledge that will have wide-reaching impact.  The courts of appeals also issued significant decisions on damages, materiality, and more.  Crowell attorneys discuss these highlights and others in a "Feature Comment" published in The Government Contractor....

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Amanda's Insights

Client Alert | 1 min read | 03.12.24

The Top FCA Developments of 2023

2023 brought many important False Claims Act developments for companies with business involving government funds.  While overall recoveries remained down compared to pre-2022 levels, the total number of settlements and judgments exceeded any prior year.  Those settlements and judgments also highlight areas of particular focus for the Government, including cybersecurity compliance, pandemic fraud, and small business fraud, among others.  Of particular note, 2023 saw the U.S. Supreme Court issue decisions concerning the Government’s authority to dismiss qui tam actions and the critical element of scienter/knowledge that will have wide-reaching impact.  The courts of appeals also issued significant decisions on damages, materiality, and more.  Crowell attorneys discuss these highlights and others in a "Feature Comment" published in The Government Contractor....