Former U.S. Attorney John Brownlee Joins Holland & Knight’s Government Contracts Practice in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.
McLean, VA – August 4, 2009 – Holland & Knight is pleased to announce that former U.S. Attorney John Brownlee has joined the firm's Northern Virginia and District of Columbia offices as a partner in the firm's Enforcement Defense and Government Contracts practices.
From 2001 through May of 2008, Brownlee served as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. He was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate and served with distinction. Prior to his service as U.S. Attorney, Mr. Brownlee served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Columbia from 1997 through 2001.
"John Brownlee has an outstanding record as a prosecutor who has successfully handled major cases on behalf of the United States, and who has a wealth of jury trial experience, said Richard Duvall, Holland & Knight's Government Contracts Practice Leader. Mr. Duvall continued: "Our clients in Government Contracts, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Transportation, Real Estate, Securities, Education and Construction are dealing with increased risks associated with enforcement, mandatory disclosure requirements, Civil False Claims Act litigation, investigations and threats of prosecution that could have enterprise wide impact. John Brownlee will add significant value in representing clients in such matters, and by providing advice on strategies to limit exposure through improved compliance, effective investigations and early case handling decisions."
Mr. Brownlee’s practice will include domestic (federal and state) and international enforcement defense matters and related civil litigation. In light of his experience, he will be heavily involved in the firm's False Claims Act practice, and in handling mandatory disclosure matters, internal investigations, and Inspector General and Grand Jury investigations. He will also represent persons in matters involving International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and other international enforcement statutes and regulations. Mr. Brownlee's practice with Holland & Knight is also expected to include civil cases, particularly those involving some allegation of fraud.
During his tenure as US Attorney, Brownlee was the senior federal law enforcement official and chief ethics official for the Department of Justice attorneys in the Western District of Virginia. He served as lead counsel for the United States in two cases that gained national attention: one involving violations of the ITAR regulations, and another involving intentional misleading and false advertising by a drug manufacturer.
Mr. Brownlee has a distinguished military record. He served in the U.S. Army reserves and was a member of the Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG) from 1997 – 2007 when he was honorably discharged with the rank of Major. Prior to joining the JAG Corps, Brownlee served as an infantry officer and graduated from the Army's Airborne and Ranger programs.
Mr. Brownlee earned a Bachelor of Sciences degree from Washington & Lee University and a J.D. from the College of William & Mary School of Law. He previously served as an Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy at the University of Virginia Law School.