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J. Chris Haile

Partner
Partner
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VCard
VCard

Areas of Focus

Overview

Clients working with the federal government rely on Chris for his seasoned perspective and skillful representation to advance and defend business objectives. Chris navigates contractors and awardees through complex challenges in negotiations, compliance, audits, investigations, and litigation under federal contracts and agreements.

In the highly regulated business of government contracts, Chris frequently addresses matters involving breach of contract, government-directed contract changes, delays, requests for equitable adjustment (REAs), certified claims under the Contract Disputes Act (CDA), procuring commercial products and commercial services, contractor business systems, certified cost or pricing data, the Defense Production Act and the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS), government audits, terminations, and other issues with aspects unique to working with the federal government. Chris also is experienced in working with recipients of federal grants and cooperative agreements in negotiations, development of compliant systems, recovery of allowable costs, government investigations, and terminations.

Chris represents a diverse range of clients and industries supporting the federal government, in areas such as aerospace, defense, health care, construction, professional services, higher education, and information technology products and services. He has successfully resolved matters with the Department of Defense (DoD), the General Services Administration (GSA), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Department of Energy (DOE), among others.

Chris has litigated before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and District of Columbia Contract Appeals Board. He also represents clients in alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration, mediation, and other binding and nonbinding ADR proceedings.

Career & Education

    • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude
    • Vanderbilt University, B.A., cum laude
    • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude
    • Vanderbilt University, B.A., cum laude

    • District of Columbia
    • Virginia (Associate - Inactive)
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
    • District of Columbia
    • Virginia (Associate - Inactive)
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Federal Claims

  • Professional Activities and Memberships

    • ABA Public Contract Law Section, Member

    Professional Activities and Memberships

    • ABA Public Contract Law Section, Member

Chris's Insights

Client Alert | 9 min read | 01.30.26

Reminders for a Potential Government Shutdown this Weekend

Congress has not passed funding bills to keep key parts of the government funded for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2026—including the Departments of Defense, State, Treasury, Labor, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Homeland Security, as well as independent agencies, the judiciary, and national security and foreign operations functions. As Congress continues to negotiate a deal in advance of the expiration of funds on January 30, parts of the government may still face a short shutdown, given the time needed for both the Senate and the House to consider and approve legislation. In anticipation of that possibility, agencies whose funding is uncertain are preparing for a shutdown; contractors, grant recipients, and companies that work with those agencies should do the same. Our team is ready and available to advise through the shutdown process....

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Representative Matters

  • Represented a contractor in the pursuit and recovery of $100 million from the government for directed contract changes as well as the government’s release of claims regarding disputed performance guarantees.
  • Pursued and negotiated the recovery of more than $10 million from a federal agency in a claim based on the parties’ mutual mistakes of fact in a health care service contract. 
  • Prepared a contractor claim and recovered nearly 100% of costs previously disallowed by the contracting officer in a federal cost reimbursement construction contract. 

Chris's Insights

Client Alert | 9 min read | 01.30.26

Reminders for a Potential Government Shutdown this Weekend

Congress has not passed funding bills to keep key parts of the government funded for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2026—including the Departments of Defense, State, Treasury, Labor, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Homeland Security, as well as independent agencies, the judiciary, and national security and foreign operations functions. As Congress continues to negotiate a deal in advance of the expiration of funds on January 30, parts of the government may still face a short shutdown, given the time needed for both the Senate and the House to consider and approve legislation. In anticipation of that possibility, agencies whose funding is uncertain are preparing for a shutdown; contractors, grant recipients, and companies that work with those agencies should do the same. Our team is ready and available to advise through the shutdown process....

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Insights

Client Alert | 9 min read | 01.30.26

Reminders for a Potential Government Shutdown this Weekend

Speaking Engagement | 01.08.26

"What Will the New Year Bring in 2026?" Crowell & Moring Webinar.

Blog Post | 10.15.25

Fastest 5 Minutes: Government Shutdown

Blog Post | 10.01.25

Common Questions—and Answers—About A Government Shutdown

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Practices

Chris's Insights

Client Alert | 9 min read | 01.30.26

Reminders for a Potential Government Shutdown this Weekend

Congress has not passed funding bills to keep key parts of the government funded for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2026—including the Departments of Defense, State, Treasury, Labor, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Homeland Security, as well as independent agencies, the judiciary, and national security and foreign operations functions. As Congress continues to negotiate a deal in advance of the expiration of funds on January 30, parts of the government may still face a short shutdown, given the time needed for both the Senate and the House to consider and approve legislation. In anticipation of that possibility, agencies whose funding is uncertain are preparing for a shutdown; contractors, grant recipients, and companies that work with those agencies should do the same. Our team is ready and available to advise through the shutdown process....

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