Mary Pat Buckenmeyer

For more than 20 years, Mary Pat has counseled government contractors on a wide range of federal procurement and government contracts matters. Her practice encompasses all stages of the procurement lifecycle, from pre-award counseling to contract performance, claims, disputes, and litigation. She represents clients ranging from large defense contractors to small and emerging businesses entering the federal marketplace, providing practical, business-oriented advice informed by extensive experience with the federal acquisition process.

Mary Pat advises contractors on a broad array of government contracts issues, including contract claims and disputes, regulatory compliance, requests for equitable adjustment, cost and pricing matters, and day-to-day contract administration. She also counsels clients on small business contracting issues, including size protests and appeals, contractor responsibility and integrity matters, suspension and debarment proceedings, and Freedom of Information Act requests.

A significant portion of Mary Pat’s practice focuses on the commercial and contractual relationships that support successful federal procurements. She regularly advises clients on prime-subcontract relationships, teaming agreements, joint ventures, and nondisclosure agreements, as well as the review, negotiation, and administration of prime contracts and subcontracts. Her experience also includes contract terminations, settlement proposals, and other complex issues arising during contract performance.

Mary Pat has substantial experience representing clients in bid protests and other procurement-related disputes before the Government Accountability Office, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the Small Business Administration’s Office of Hearings and Appeals, the FAA’s Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition, and numerous federal and state agencies. Drawing on experience across these forums, she helps clients develop effective protest strategies, evaluate forum selection options, and position disputes for successful resolution.

Before joining Ward & Bradel, Mary Pat practiced for 18 years with two law firms in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, where she developed extensive experience across the spectrum of government contracts law. Early in her career, she served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Robert H. Hodges of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, gaining valuable insight into the court’s approach to bid protests and contract claims.

Mary Pat is also an active member of the government contracts community. She previously served as Vice Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Public Contract Law’s Bid Protest Committee from 2009 to 2011.