Government Contracts Lawyer James Dougherty Joins McGuireWoods

WASHINTON, DC (JULY 24, 2025) – McGuireWoods is bolstering its government contracts group with the arrival of Washington, D.C., counsel James Dougherty, who brings more than three decades of in-house and law firm experience advising leading technology companies.  

Dougherty assists clients with regulatory compliance, transactions, intellectual property rights and litigation involving qui tam actions, contract claims and bid protests. He represents companies before federal boards of contract appeals, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the U.S. Government Accountability Office and federal courts.

Before coming to McGuireWoods, Dougherty held senior legal roles in the public and private sectors. He served as in-house counsel for industry leaders Cisco Systems and Intel and was counsel at an Am Law 50 firm. He was general counsel for a private equity-backed technology company and has advised clients on government contracting issues related to M&A and private equity transactions. Dougherty began his career as an officer in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps and was a commissioner on the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals.

“Jim’s deep experience, including in technology and corporate compliance, will provide clients with powerful advantages in navigating complex government contracting issues," said Jason Cowley, chair of the firm’s Government Investigations & White Collar Litigation Department.

McGuireWoods' government contracts team offers services across the entirety of the procurement process. With strong defense and national security credentials, including security clearances, and significant operational and government service (including former Navy and Army officers), the team is part of the firm's Government Investigations & White Collar Litigation Department recognized as a Law360 Practice Group of the Year. The team handles the full range of government contract matters, including government investigations and enforcement, bid protests and contract claims, and procurement counseling and transactional support.

“McGuireWoods has a stellar team of government contract lawyers with the industry knowledge and broad understanding of regulations and procurement strategy to help clients achieve their business goals,” Dougherty said. “This is a perfect fit for my practice.”

Dougherty’s arrival continues the expansion of McGuireWoods’ D.C. office over the past year. The firm strengthened practices including antitrust; commercial litigation; energy regulation; government investigations and white collar litigation; healthcare; and securities enforcement and regulatory counseling.

“Jim is a welcome addition as we continue growing our deep and talented bench in Washington,” said Elizabeth Hogan, managing partner of the firm’s D.C. office.

McGuireWoods LLP is a leading international law firm with 1,100 lawyers in 21 offices worldwide. It continuously ranks among the top firms in Financial Times’ prestigious North America Innovative Lawyers report. The firm has been recognized 18 times on BTI Consulting’s Client Service A-Team — elite firms singled out for client service excellence based on unprompted feedback from clients in major companies. Its full-service public affairs arm, McGuireWoods Consulting LLC, offers infrastructure and economic development, strategic communications and grassroots advocacy, and government relations solutions. For more information, visit www.mcguirewoods.com.