Government Contracts Associate or Special Counsel

11.20.2025

Lawyers

Boston|East Brunswick|Hartford|Indianapolis|Miami|New York|Newark|Philadelphia|Stamford|Trenton|Wilmington|Washington, DC

McCarter and English’s Chambers-ranked Government Contracts group is seeking an experienced, diligent, and proactive government contracts attorney to join our growing and dynamic team. Candidate must have a minimum of 5 years experience practicing law in the specific area of federal government contracts, and preferably 6-9 years such experience. There is a strong preference for candidates who have practiced government contracts law in a law firm setting. Applicants must have strong analytical, research, and writing skills, and should have experience with: bid protests; acquisition regulation (including FAR and DFARS) interpretation and compliance counseling; drafting REAs and claims, related claims analysis and counseling, and CDA claim litigation; federal subcontracting and related dispute and flow-down/compliance issues; terminations; OCIs; suspension and debarment; multiple award contracts; and small business procurement issues. Intellectually curious self-starters with a demonstrable ability to work on certain matters independently, as appropriate, are strongly preferred. GovCon M&A experience is a plus and experience with aerospace/defense, infrastructure/construction, life sciences/pharmaceutical, and/or manufacturing industries would be helpful, but is not required. The ideal candidate will be interested in a rise to partnership. Candidates will be offered certain opportunities for written and oral “thought leadership” on government contracts topics, and candidates with an interest in/propensity for client development will be encouraged in their business development efforts.

Location flexible across our offices; DC or Philadelphia preferred. Base salary range for this position is $200,000-275,000, depending on seniority, experience, and skills. Title will similarly depend on candidate’s experience and skills level.

If you have relevant experience and a desire to grow your career, please consider joining our team. We will be working directly with candidates for this opening. Please send your resume, cover letter, transcript, and a writing sample to Christine Lydon at [email protected].

Candidates who do not submit cover letter and writing sample will not be considered.

Other Compensation:

• Eligibility for discretionary bonus.

Benefits (if FTE requirements met):

• Firm-Paid : Basic life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance and short-term (ST) and long-term (LT) disability benefits.
• Health & Wellness : Comprehensive medical/prescription drug coverage (the Firm pays a share of the cost), including a high deductible health plan with an annual Firm health savings account (HSA) contribution.
• Employee-Paid Voluntary Benefits : Dental and vision coverage, supplemental health plans (accident, cancer and critical illness), flexible spending accounts, optional life and AD&D insurance (supplemental employee, spouse and child) and supplemental STD coverage.
• Retirement : 401(k) plan offering three types of contributions: pre-tax, Roth and after-tax contributions.
• Time Off : Paid Time Off (PTO), paid holidays, and leaves of absence to support work-life balance (e.g. parental leave)

Additional Benefits:

• Free and confidential employee assistance program (EAP) and behavioral health services program
• Firm-paid back-up child/elder care, academic support and pet care program
• Tax-advantaged college savings 529 Plan
• Employee discounts through Working Advantage

McCarter & English, LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.