Donald E. Sovie

Partner, Crowell & Moring LLP

Donald E. Sovie is a partner in the law firm of Crowell & Moring, practicing in the firm's California office. Don's practice focus is regulatory compliance and defense, with specialization in FCPA, government contracting and export controls; substantial experience in responding to grand jury investigations involving environmental compliance issues, government contracts matters and FCPA. Don has 30 plus years of experience in U.S. Government contracting and compliance matters, as well as domestic and international transactions, including drafting, negotiation, administration and dispute resolution, compliance with export controls and FCPA. He has substantial experience in due diligence reviews for M&A associated with companies engaged in government contracting and global business activity and a deep background in complex issues arising out of the Federal Contracting process, including protests and dispute resolution.

Prior to joining Crowell & Moring in 1990, Don was an Associate Counsel for Ford Motor Company. During his 12-year tenure at Ford, he was responsible for commercial and government contract transactions, drafting and negotiating agreements with the U.S. Government and foreign governments for major weapon system programs and implementation agreements with foreign and domestic industry participants. He successfully handled the defense of grand jury investigations into compliance with Federal laws and regulations. During the first nine years of his career he served as a JAGC prosecutor and defense counsel and specialized in procurement matters while serving in positions of increased responsibility in the U.S. Army, as a JAGC attorney, senior trial attorney and advisor to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Research, Development & Acquisition).

Don opened the California office of Crowell & Moring in January 1991, where he maintains a substantial practice advising contractors and subcontractors concerning development, purchase, sale and export of defense and commercial products associated with global businesses. His practice emphasizes counseling on contract formation, resolution of disputes, and matters of compliance with Federal law and regulations, and representation in related civil and criminal proceedings. Don has a track record of successfully resolving complex transactions and performance disputes involving advanced technology.

He has successfully resolved criminal enforcement actions and response to investigations and subpoenas from offices of the District Attorney and United States Attorney without any resulting prosecutions of compliance issues under State and Federal Law, and individual claims and appeals involving the ASBCA, State and Federal court, ADR or arbitration. Don makes a practice providing effective advice, due diligence and representation of companies expanding global business subject to U.S. export controls, FCPA compliance, U.S. government contracts and Exon- Florio notification. These matters frequently require internal investigations, oral or written advice to the officers of the company or Board of Directors regarding best compliance practices, corrective and preventative actions, remediation, cooperation with the government agencies and defense of the company's past practices.

Don has contributed to publications and made numerous presentations in the areas of government contracting and subcontracting, export control and foreign corrupt practices compliance, commercial and international ventures and protection of intellectual property rights.

Don received his J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law, and his undergraduate degree from Seattle University. Don is an active member of the American Bar Association (Sections on Criminal Justice, Intellectual Property, International, and Public Contract Law), the State Bar of California (Sections on Business, Intellectual Property and International Law), and the National Contract Management Association. Don is a Board Member of the California Chamber of Commerce Council for International Trade and has been appointed by the US Department of Commerce to serve on the Southern California Region District Export Council.