Washington, DC – October 19, 2021 – David Fletcher has joined Cooley as a partner to lead the firm's government contracts practice group in Washington, DC. Fletcher returns to the firm after a tenure as a partner at Perkins Coie, before which he served for nearly a decade as a special counsel with Cooley. He brings 20 years of experience advising sophisticated technology, life sciences and investor clients in the regulatory issues that animate today's business dealings with government customers.

"Dave belongs to an elite group of lifelong, highly respected practitioners in the government contracts bar, and we are personally and professionally thrilled to welcome him back to Cooley," said Chris Kimball, a partner in Cooley's government contracts practice group and the leader of Cooley's CFIUS team. "Dave has deep experience in all aspects of government contracts and will support a market-differentiating collaboration among our CFIUS, export control and economic sanctions practices. His background will meaningfully amplify Cooley's ability to provide truly broad-spectrum advice to our cutting-edge technology, life sciences and investor clients."

Fletcher's practice focuses on regulatory and contract counseling for public and private companies conducting business in the government market. He advises on transactions, including M&A and financings, that involve government contracts, and he provides specialized litigation services in forums dedicated to resolving disputes about the award and performance of government contracts. Fletcher has particular experience representing technology companies, advising on matters central to their growth in the government and commercial markets. Prior to Perkins Coie, he worked in‐house at GE Aviation for two years and at Cooley for nine.

"I'm excited to rejoin my Cooley colleagues and to contribute to an interdisciplinary regulatory practice that's truly unique," said Fletcher. "For more companies than ever before, the government is a customer, a funder of research and development and a lender during times of uncertainty. This reality, combined with Cooley's expanding client base, collaborative culture and unmatched strength in technology and life sciences, creates a tremendous opportunity to build a modern government contracts practice that's integrated with other practices and poised for rapid growth. I'm enthusiastic about leading that effort at Cooley."

Cooley's government contracts practice group supports long-standing, sophisticated government contractors with legal and business matters unique and important to the government space, while also helping small and large companies enter and successfully navigate that space for the first time. Cooley's practitioners have a hands-on understanding of client industries and technologies, enabling the firm to provide clients a higher level of counseling and more effective litigation services.