Matthew J. Michaels

Matt has represented both protesters and awardees before the Government Accountability Office, the Court of Federal Claims, procuring agencies, and the Small Business Administration Office of Hearings and Appeals in acquisitions ranging from small business procurements to multibillion dollar acquisitions. His representative protest matters span multiple sectors, including aerospace, information technology, data analytics, shipbuilding, camouflage manufacturing, and the space industry. Additionally, he has helped clients defend against Procurement Integrity Act allegations and federal investigations involving the False Claims Act.

Matt served as in-house counsel for multiple government contractors in the IT and space industries. Prior to rejoining Barnes & Thornburg, he was corporate counsel for a space launch service provider. His experience includes drafting and negotiating commercial space launch service agreements with satellite companies, advising on supply chain issues, and counseling on launch-related insurance. He also served as in-house counsel for an IT government contractor in the healthcare industry, and he was seconded to a space industry client when in private practice.

As a corporate adviser, he not only represents clients when legal issues arise, but also applies his in-depth understanding of the business of government contracting to help clients work toward their goals.

He relies on his experience as a government contracts litigator and in-house attorney to provide effective compliance counsel. He has counseled clients on potential Procurement Integrity Act violations, procurement fraud investigations, data rights and software licensing, small-business size affiliation rules, and request for proposal (RFP) requirements. He also advises foreign and tribe-owned businesses on joint ventures, subcontracts, and teaming arrangements.

While attending law school, he interned for the Honorable Lydia Kay Griggsby of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, for the Office of General Counsel in the U.S. General Services Administration and for the Office of General Counsel at the Department of Commerce.