Nicole Owren-Wiest
Overview
Nicole is nationally recognized in two of the most complex areas of government contracting: cost and pricing and intellectual property/data rights. She is one of only six lawyers recognized by Chambers USA in the “Cost Dispute Spotlight” for her depth of experience in cost accounting litigation. Government contractors routinely turn to Nicole for strategic advice on high-value cost accounting disputes and claims, including multibillion-dollar disputes involving compliance with the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), cost allowability under the FAR Part 31 cost principles, and defective pricing claims under the Truth in Negotiations/Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Act.
Career & Education
- Minnesota State University, B.S.
- Willamette University College of Law, J.D.
- District of Columbia
- Washington State
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Professional Activities and Memberships
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Procurement Council, 2013-Present
National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), Procurement Division
- Contract Finance Committee
American Bar Association, Section of Public Contract Law
- Vice-Chair, 2022-Present, Acquisition Reform and Emerging Issues Committee
- Program Co-Chair, Annual Meeting, 2022
- Former Co-Chair, 2008-2012; Vice-Chair, 2012-Present; Accounting, Cost and Pricing Committee
- Former Co-Chair, 2013-2016; Former Vice-Chair, 2016-2022; Research & Development and Intellectual Property Committee
- Editor-in-Chief, 2011-2019; The Procurement Lawyer
Nicole is really special. She’s really effective, understands government disputes, and is very practical. She is very experienced and very strategic. She is very smart and knowledgeable. She provides phenomenal customer service and has been a great quarterback for our team. She has the highest legal skills … Nicole is a terrific [government contracts] lawyer. I’ve had the pleasure of working with and against her. She is a top-notch lawyer, and I highly respect her. When I see her on the other side, I know I have to bring my A game.
— Chambers USA, 2022
Nicole's Insights
Event | May - December 2024
The Masters Institute in Government Contracting
The Masters Institute in Government Contracting is a specially conceived, advanced program in government contracting. Crowell is proud to be part of the Masters’ program faculty which is hosted and organized by Federal Publications Seminars.
Podcast | 04.02.24
Podcast | 03.05.24
Client Alert | 2 min read | 02.22.24
Representative Matters
Nicole’s counseling and litigation/dispute-resolution practice broadly includes Contract Disputes Act claims, REAs, DCAA cost and pricing audits, DCAA and DCMA business system reviews, TINA compliance and defective pricing investigations, False Claims Act investigations and litigation, data rights disputes, and general contract compliance. Nicole and her teams advise contractors of all sizes across numerous industry segments, including many of the top government defense contractors and small businesses preparing to perform their first federal contract. A sample of Nicole’s recent matters includes:
- Ongoing representation of a major aerospace and defense contractor in an appeal before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA) of a government claim seeking over $2 billion for alleged noncompliance with Cost Accounting Standard 420 due to its method of allocating independent research and development costs to government contracts (ASBCA No. 62094).
- Ongoing representation of a major defense contractor in an ASBCA appeal of a government claim seeking recovery of allegedly unallowable costs incurred to continue contract performance during the COVID-19 pandemic (ASBCA No. 63233).
- Ongoing representation of two major aerospace and defense contractors in separate appeals before the ASBCA involving the government's rights in contractor technical data and computer software (ASBCA Nos. 62496 and 62249 ).
- Advising several different defense contractors in connection with separate pension segment closing adjustments under CAS 413.
- Advising multiple defense contractors in pre- and post-COFD disputes involving allowability of costs under FAR Part 31 and in connection with pre-COFD allegations of noncompliance with CAS 403, 405, 410, and 418.
- Successful zero-dollar resolution of a threatened government claim for $500 million for alleged noncompliance with CAS 410.
- Successful settlement and full payment of the government’s share of a major contractor’s CAS 413 closing adjustment (totaling ~$16 million).
- Successful, zero-dollar resolution of a pre-COFD $52 million government claim under a special “ price reopener” clause.
- Successful ASBCA appeal of a $24 million government defective pricing claim for major defense contractor (government withdrew the claim).
Nicole's Insights
Event | May - December 2024
The Masters Institute in Government Contracting
The Masters Institute in Government Contracting is a specially conceived, advanced program in government contracting. Crowell is proud to be part of the Masters’ program faculty which is hosted and organized by Federal Publications Seminars.
Podcast | 04.02.24
Podcast | 03.05.24
Client Alert | 2 min read | 02.22.24
Recognition
- Chambers USA: Leading lawyer, Government Contracts (Band 2), 2014–2022
- Chambers USA: Special Recognition, Cost Accounting, 2021
- Legal 500 United States: Leading Lawyer, Government Contracts, 2021–2022
- Acritas Stars Independently Rated Lawyers: Acritas Star, 2019, 2021
- Washingtonian: Top Lawyers, 2019
Nicole's Insights
Event | May - December 2024
The Masters Institute in Government Contracting
The Masters Institute in Government Contracting is a specially conceived, advanced program in government contracting. Crowell is proud to be part of the Masters’ program faculty which is hosted and organized by Federal Publications Seminars.
Podcast | 04.02.24
Podcast | 03.05.24
Client Alert | 2 min read | 02.22.24
Practices
- Government Contracts
- Accounting, Cost, and Pricing
- Intellectual Property and Data Rights
- Claims and Disputes Litigation
- False Claims Act Defense
- Litigation and Trial
- National Security
- IP Prosecution and Portfolio Management
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Government Contracts Transactions, M&A and Diligence
- Government Contracts Transactions
- Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
- Supply Chain Security and Risk Management
- Infrastructure
- Supply Chain Management
Nicole's Insights
Event | May - December 2024
The Masters Institute in Government Contracting
The Masters Institute in Government Contracting is a specially conceived, advanced program in government contracting. Crowell is proud to be part of the Masters’ program faculty which is hosted and organized by Federal Publications Seminars.
Podcast | 04.02.24
Podcast | 03.05.24
Client Alert | 2 min read | 02.22.24