Hughes Law PLC
40 Years of Federal Procurement Experience
Hughes Law PLC
Government Contracts
Hughes Law focuses exclusively on federal government contract law. As a solo practice that leverages technology, Hughes Law provides affordable legal services to both start-ups and established government contractors. It offers the same high-quality legal services as large law firms but with greater efficiency and lower cost.
Government contract-related services include:
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- Contract appeals to the ASBCA or CBCA
- Filing or intervening in GAO bid protests
- Preparing claims and requests for equitable adjustment
- Advising on DoD contingency contracting issues
- Drafting teaming agreements and subcontracts
- Resolving subcontract disputes
- Defending suspension or debarment actions
- Conducting internal investigations
- Expert assessments, reports, and testimony
Helping Clients
Hughes Law helps clients solve legal problems and navigate the increasingly complex world of federal procurement. With 40 years of government contracting experience, its founder, Ty Hughes, has seen complex issues from both government and contractor perspectives. This experience helps him understand the views of both sides and develop strategies to get favorable results for his clients. He helps his clients resolve legal issues and disputes with the government in a way that does not damage their long-term business relationship.
Hughes Law has a track record of effectively resolving contract disputes and litigation before the Armed Services and Civilian Agency Boards of Contract Appeals. The use of cloud-based technology and litigation support software has leveled the playing field and enabled Hughes Law PLC to litigate efficiently and reduce client costs.
Legal Services
Hughes Law limits its practice to federal government contracts. Legal issues can arise throughout the life cycle of a government contract, from contract formation through contract close-out.
Bid Protests
Hughes Law counsels and represents clients in bid protests that can challenge the award of a contract or the terms of a solicitation. Bid protests are subject to strict timelines and procedural rules, making legal guidance crucial.
Contract Litigation
Hughes Law assists clients in pursuing claims for equitable adjustments, extensions of time, or compensation for additional costs incurred. This includes drafting claims and filing appeals to the Armed Services and Civilian Agency Boards of Contract Appeals.
Expert Witness
With more than forty years of experience in government contracts, Hughes Law can provide an objective assessment of the legal issues in a dispute. Hughes Law has provided expert reports and testimony in contract disputes in federal and state courts.
Contract Administration
Government contracts require strong contract administration to manage risks. Hughes Law advises clients on compliance with prime contract and subcontract terms. It also assists clients in negotiating contract modifications and adjustments, which are often necessary due to changes in scope, schedule, or unforeseen factors.
Audits and Investigations
Government contracts are subject to audits and investigations to ensure proper use of public funds. Hughes Law counsels clients on compliance-related matters and helps them assess their risk. It also helps clients respond to adverse audit findings by the Defense Contract Audit Agency. Hughes Law can counsel clients who receive a subpoena from an agency inspector general or a civil investigative demand from the Department of Justice. These investigations can be precursors to fraud-related claims by the government and require prompt legal attention.
Experience Matters
It is important to know and understand the ever-evolving legal framework for federal government contracts. It is at least as important—perhaps more important—to understand the government’s point of view. That understanding is critical to resolving contract issues. Not surprisingly, how the government addresses a particular contract issue can vary from agency to agency.
Hughes Law brings a unique perspective to government contracts. Over the past 40 years, its principal, Ty Hughes, has seen the federal procurement process from different perspectives: as an Army JAG officer advising contracting officers and litigating contract appeals, as a partner in a large D.C. law firm, as the senior Air Force procurement lawyer, and as the general counsel of a large government contractor. Hughes Law applies this experience in helping its clients solve problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do we meet with you?
Hughes Law operates as a virtual law firm. Although the firm can access conference rooms and meeting spaces in the D.C. area, clients generally prefer the convenience of virtual meetings. Virtual meetings eliminate the need to travel and avoid wasted time. The Hughes Law client portal provides a secure means to exchange documents with clients.
What are your fees?
As a solo practitioner, I provide the same high-quality legal services that I did when I was a partner in a large DC law firm but without the high cost of overhead.
Hughes Law offers several different fee structures. Depending on client needs, billing can be hourly, daily, or fixed-fee. For companies without an in-house government contracts lawyer, Hughes Law can provide government contracts counseling for a daily or quarterly fee.
As a former general counsel responsible for a corporate law department budget, I am keenly aware of the cost of outside legal services and the need to contain those costs. Hughes Law is committed to providing high-quality legal services at a reasonable price.
Can a solo practitioner handle my matter?
There are significant advantages to hiring a solo lawyer.
Personalized Attention. Solo lawyers can provide more personalized attention to their clients compared to larger firms. Clients can expect to have direct access to the lawyer handling their case.
Cost-Effectiveness. Solo practitioners have lower overhead costs compared to larger firms, which results in lower legal fees for clients.
Efficiency and Agility. Solo lawyers provide more efficient and agile legal services compared to larger firms. You only pay for the lawyer handling your matter, not the whole posse.
How do you provide staff for large matters?
When a client has legal needs that require specialized expertise or resources beyond what Hughes Law can provide, Ty Hughes takes advantage of the legal network he has built over the years to make a referral or (with the client’s consent) to team with a well-qualified law firm or lawyer. Assembling a legal team in this manner brings the best legal talent to bear on the client’s matter.
James A. (Ty) Hughes
Principal
In founding Hughes Law PLC, my goal is to help clients solve problems and navigate the increasingly complex world of federal procurement. An area of particular interest to me is the efficient resolution of contract disputes. With more than 40 years of government contracting experience, I have represented government and private sector clients in a wide variety of government procurement matters. I have seen procurement issues and disputes from both sides.
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Legal Experience
Army. As a Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) officer, I gained considerable trial experience as a trial counsel in the 82nd Airborne Division and later as a trial attorney representing the Army in appeals before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA).
I was assigned to the Pentagon as an Assistant General Counsel, where I worked on procurement issues, many involving major systems acquisition. I later served as a Special Assistant to the DoD Inspector General, where I worked on fraud-related matters.
In 1991, I deployed to Kuwait to serve as Chief Counsel for the Corps of Engineers task force that restored the Kuwaiti infrastructure following the Gulf War.
Law Firm. I spent ten years in private practice working with large and small government contractors. This is where I learned the “other side” of government contract issues. We solved client problems by careful analysis and by simultaneously advocating for our clients in multiple forums.
Air Force. Beginning in 2003, I returned to the government service and spent nine years as the Deputy General Counsel for Acquisition. My office supported the acquisition of major defense systems and the administration of contracts throughout the Air Force. I volunteered again for overseas deployment and was assigned by the Secretary of the Air Force to manage a special project in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2007 and 2011, in addition to my primary responsibilities in the Pentagon.
Corporate. In 2011, I became the general counsel for the government group of a large public company. The company was an Army LOGCAP prime contractor and also had contracts supporting the Department of Energy nuclear sites and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. I managed the delivery of legal services at six locations. Among my areas of responsibility were contract administration, litigation, risk management, compliance, and export controls.
Hughes Law PLC. In 2016, I founded my own law firm focusing on federal government contracts, where I continue to serve clients and engage in pro bono work.
Legal Experience
Army
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- Trial Counsel, 82nd Airborne Division (criminal trials)
- Army Trial Team (ASBCA and GSBCA litigation)
- Assistant to the Army General Counsel (major systems procurement)
- Special Assistant to the DoD Inspector General
- Chief Counsel to the Corp of Engineers task force rebuilding Kuwaiti infrastructure following the Gulf War
- Team Chief, Army Trial Team (ASBCA litigation)
Law Firm
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- Counsel, King & Spalding
- Partner, Patton Boggs
Air Force
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- Deputy General Counsel for Acquisition (wide range of Air Force procurement issues)
- Special project in Iraq and Afghanistan (2007-2011)
Corporate
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- General Counsel for the government group of a large public company. (LOGCAP IV and DOE contracts)
Hughes Law
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- Founder and Principal (counseling and litigation)
Education
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- B.S. – U.S. Military Academy
- J.D. & M.B.A. – Boston University
- LL.M. – Georgetown University School of Law
- M.S.E.E. – Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Professional Credentials
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- Admitted to the practice of law in Virginia, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia
- Holds DoD Top Secret and SCI clearances
- Peer Review Rating by Martindale is AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5.0
Accomplishments
The professional accomplishment for which I am most proud is having served our country for twenty-nine years, first as a U.S. Army officer and later as the Deputy General Counsel (Acquisition) of the Air Force. I am honored and grateful for having had the opportunity to serve with so many dedicated military and civilian professionals.
Other accomplishments include:
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- Assumed various leadership roles in the American Bar Association Section of Public Contract Law and served as Chair of the Section in 2016-17.
- Honorary faculty member of the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s School.
- Director Emeritus, Procurement Round Table of the Procurement Round Table in Washington, D.C.
- Appointed by the White House to serve on the 14-member Acquisition Advisory Panel established by the Services Acquisition Reform Act of 2003 to examine the use of commercial practices, performance-based contracting, and government-wide contracts.
- Awarded the Decoration for Exceptional Civil Service from the Secretary of the Air Force for organizing tribal leaders in Iraq and establishing a truck transportation network that employed local drivers to support the U.S. military.
Expert Witness
Advanced Training Group Worldwide, Inc. v. Pro-Active Technologies, Inc., Case No. 1:19-cv-505-TSE-TCB (E.D. Va. 2021)
Tyr Tactical, LLC v. Protective Products Enterprises, LLC, and Point Blank Enterprises, Inc., Case No. 15-61741-cv-BB (S.D. Fla. 2017)
Madey v. Duke Univ., 266 F. Supp. 2d 420 (M.D.N.C. 2001)
