William A. Roberts, III

Bill continues to serve at Wiley in his role as senior counsel. With a rare appreciation for how businesses work, Bill, for more than 46 years, has helped his clients avoid risk, deal with events both good and bad, and solve problems arising in the highly-regulated and hypercompetitive government contracts market. He was a partner at Wiley for 25 years, serving for nearly two decades as co-chair of the Government Contracts Group, and on the firm’s Management Committee. Bill represents clients on commercial, federal, state, and local procurement matters, including internal ethics and compliance programs, bid protests, and contractor and government claims, including defense of False Claims Act matters, disputes, responding to audits and investigations, and proposed debarment and suspension. Bill’s practice includes international trade issues such as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), export control, and investigations related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

Representative Matters

• Advises companies on M&A transactions for buyers and sellers, particularly when dealing with government contracts issues, including numerous transactions that involve foreign ownership and control issues.
• Represents clients in contract claims through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and litigation before the courts and boards. Has handled numerous claims and contractual issues arising out of Iraq and Afghanistan reconstruction and major construction projects.
• Assists clients in achieving favorable U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) decisions or agency corrective actions in bid protests including A-76 and contracting out competitions.
• Represents commercial companies in addressing the unique risks and obligations involved when selling to the government as well as in connection with disputes between prime contractors and subcontractors.
• Building upon his prior experience advising the Department of the Navy on suspension, debarment, and present responsibility of government contractors, he represents commercial companies and government contractors in the establishment of comprehensive Ethical Contracts Compliance programs and in connection with Corporate Governance issues. Provides support to ensure that employees are trained on compliance issues and that compliance programs reflect current legal and business ethics requirements.
• Represents clients in responding to criminal, civil, and administrative subpoenas, investigations, and audits and conducting internal audits and investigations, including with respect to adherence to internal compliance policies and programs.
• Represents clients on export control matters, particularly as they relate to ITAR before the U.S. Department of State.
• Advises multinational companies on FCPA issues, including internal audits and investigations, transactional due diligence, and compliance programs.
• Assists clients in response to government investigations and subpoenas related to allegations of false claims, fraud, kickbacks, and criminal offenses.

Professional Experience

• Senior Government Contracts partner at Wiley from 1999 to present
• Partner, Private law practice (1985-1999)
• Chief Counsel, Wang Laboratories, Inc., Federal Services Division (1982-1985)
• Assistant to the General Counsel for intelligence, U.S. Navy (1979-1982)
• Attorney-Advisor, Navy Regional Procurement Center (1976-1979)

Affiliations

• American Bar Association (ABA)
  • Co-Chair, Section of Public Contract Law, Privatization, Outsourcing and Related Transactions Committee (2001-Present)
• Defense Science Board, Task Force on the Impact of E-Commerce on U.S. Department of Defense Acquisition Processes (2001-2002)
• Board of Advisors, SAI Global (a leading online provider of compliance materials) and contributor to its government contract compliance products

Recognitions

• Named one of DC's "Super Lawyers" for Government Contracts by Super Lawyers magazine (2013-2020)
• AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell's highest ranking by peers for general ethical standards and legal ability