Kendra Perkins Norwood
Partner – Wiley Rein LLP

Description of field of expertise

Kendra’s practice includes a broad range of litigation, regulatory compliance and transactional matters for companies that do business with federal and state governments, either as a prime or subcontractors, or as third-party vendors or suppliers.  Kendra also works with federal grant recipients on a range of legal issues.  Kendra represents clients in bid protests, contract claims and disputes, terminations, mergers and acquisitions, False Claims Act matters, and suspension and debarment proceedings.  She also routinely counsels companies on government ethics requirements and works with clients to develop codes of business conduct and policies tailored to address their legal obligations as government contractors.  Kendra also manages internal investigations and represents clients facing government investigations and audits.

Kendra works with companies of all types and sizes to navigate the complex requirements of the federal government marketplace, from large defense contractors and international companies doing business in the U.S. government market to 8(a) firms and other small and emerging businesses. She also advises for‐profit and non‐profit organizations on matters related to federal grants, cooperative agreements, technology investment agreements (TIAs), and other transaction authority (OTA) agreements.  Her clients span many industries, including aerospace and defense, information technology, telecommunications, professional and technical services, higher education, security, architectural and engineering (A&E), construction and health care. 

Kendra has extensive experience working with General Services Administration (GSA) schedule contractors as well as companies participating in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) small business set-aside, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.  

Prior to entering private practice, Kendra spent more than 10 years at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), working in the areas of budget and procurement, legislative affairs, and grant portfolio management.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

I would encourage them to explore the many opportunities that exist in government contracts law. This is particularly true for Black attorneys, since there aren’t very many of us practicing in this area.  Government contracts law is essentially a specialized form of commercial law, which means a lot of the knowledge and skills are transferrable.  Yet, at the same time, government contracts law is still a great niche practice that involves a range of interesting, often complex, and diverse matters.  There is rarely a dull moment when you’re helping clients navigate the ups and downs of doing business with Uncle Sam. 

Final thoughts…

In 2019, after several years of effort, and with the support of other government contracts practitioners in the NBA, I successfully petitioned the NBA Board of Governors to establish a Government Procurement Law Section.  The impetus for starting the Section was a recognition that the government contracts practice area was not very diverse, and a desire to expose Black lawyers and law students to the many opportunities that exist in the field.