Patrice helps clients solve complex problems. Her practice focuses on representing, advising, and advocating on behalf of government contractors, industry associations, and non-profits across critical industries including renewable energy, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Prior to her legal career, Patrice was a Contracting Officer and Social Science Research Analyst at the US Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) where she managed a multi-million-dollar portfolio of federal grants to state, local and tribal police departments across the United States. Additionally, she worked for government contractors conducting impact and performance evaluations on numerous USAID, UK, and Canada funded post-conflict development projects, including in the Congo and Mali, where she honed her French language fluency.
Leveraging her broad experience in federal government and international development grant programs from roles at the Department of Justice, United States Agency for International Development, World Bank, and other organizations, Patrice advises clients on securing, managing, and complying with federal funding opportunities in both the domestic and international arenas.
Before joining Womble, Patrice worked at another law firm where her practice focused on the intersection of government contracts, international trade, and renewable energy.
Patrice earned her J.D. from Georgetown University School of Law in 2020, her Ph.D. from Columbia University in 2012, and her B.A., summa cum laude, from North Carolina Central University in 2003. Patrice is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and Maryland.
Representative Experience
Grants & Cooperative Agreements
- Serves as counsel to Black Owners of Solar Services* (B.O.S.S.) on compliance with the Uniform Requirements and special terms of a $6.3 million Cooperative Agreement with DOE. Represented B.O.S.S. in the application for and successful negotiation of the Cooperative Agreement for the Equitable Clean Energy Advancement Initiative (ECEAI). ECEAI advances the Justice40 mission of the DOE Office of Economic Impact to provide technical assistance and capacity building to minority and women-owned businesses to increase minority and women-owned business participation in DOE funding and procurement opportunities.
False Claims Act
- Represented EaglePicher Technologies in a Civil Investigative Demand issued in connection with a False Claims Act investigation to determine whether there is or has been a violation of 31 U.S.C. § 3729. The investigation concerns allegations that a supplier and subcontractor to EaglePicher, may have violated the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, 22 C.F.R. §§ 120-130, and thereby submitted or caused to be submitted false claims to the United States. Leads the document review including organizing files, drafting instruction memorandums for document review, training junior attorneys and support staff, and completing and facilitating document production to the United States.
- Represented LG Electronics, USA in response to a subpoena issued by the Office of the Inspector General, Department of Defense pertaining to certain LG Electronics USA displays intended for sale and sold to the United States Government. The investigation centers on whether displays sold to the government contain covered telecommunications equipment under section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Leads the document review including managing the organization of files and completing document production.
M&A Transactions
- Represents MCJC LLC*, a MD certified women-owned entity, in the acquisition of Advanced Design & Manufacturing Corporation headquartered in Springfield, VA. ADM specializes in precision machining, parts fabrication, mechanical components design and manufacturing, and parts assembly manufactured directly for the U.S. Government and top U.S. Defense Contractors. Provides ongoing counsel to the client on gov supplier restrictions.
- Represented CBRE Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, in their acquisition of J&J Worldwide Services, a leading provider of engineering services, base support operations and facilities maintenance for the U.S. federal government, from Arlington Capital Partners, a Washington, D.C.-area private investment firm. The $1.05 billion acquisition included due diligence of over 300 contracts and task orders with the Department of Defense. One hundred percent of J&J Worldwide Services revenues derive from contracts with U.S. government customers.
- Represented Tuthill Corporation, a private corporation, in the acquisition of EaglePicher Technologies from private equity firm GTCR. This was a transformative transaction for Tuthill Corp., a family-owned enterprise, beginning a new chapter leading a next generation, high-tech manufacturing company for the defense, aerospace, and aviation industries. The transaction required significant government contract review and analysis, a core component of EPT’s business.
- Represented JLC Infrastructure, a joint-venture co-founded by Magic “Earl” Johnson and Jim Reynolds, Jr. in a $1.5 billion minority investment in GeoLinks, a leading enterprise-level telecommunications company headquartered in California with significant federal and state government contracts and grants. Due diligence on this transaction required review and understanding of federal and state grant and procurement mechanisms including FCC Connect America Fund (CAF) and Rural Development Opportunity Fund (RDOF) and CA state Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC) programs.
Languages
French
