Aerospace, Defense, and National Security
Practical Solutions for Aerospace and Defense Leaders
Nelson Mullins provides aerospace, defense, and national security clients with practical guidance designed to help them navigate complex challenges and pursue strategic opportunities.
We work with aircraft and aerospace manufacturers, space launch companies, unmanned aerial vehicle producers, defense contractors and consulting firms, defense technology companies, and investors in these sectors. Our team is familiar with the business and legal issues that can arise in transactional, regulatory, and litigation matters affecting these industries.
We advise on government and procurement matters to protect client interests in disputes, investigations, and transactions. Our lawyers and policy advisors are a diverse team of professionals, including former government department heads, legal advisors, regulators, enforcers, and senior agency leaders. Collectively, we provide practical insight intended to help clients understand emerging developments, address issues, and pursue strategic opportunities.
We are a national U.S. law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers in 30 offices across the United States and are well positioned to represent you in these and adjacent matters based on the following capabilities:
Significant Experience in Complex Aerospace, Defense, and National Security Corporate and Transactional Matters
It is critical that the law firm partner leading your representation be active in the Aerospace, Defense, and National Security arena.
Jeff Perry, Chair of the Aerospace, Defense, and National Security practice, with almost 20 years of experience including work in Wall Street and Washington, D.C., has advised on a substantial number of complex corporate transactions, including cross‑border M&A, IPOs and other public company securities offerings, and private financings.
Over the course of his career, Jeff has worked extensively with Aerospace, Defense, and National Security industry clients, having served as outside counsel to (i) emerging technical innovators across the industry, as well as (ii) major aerospace and defense companies, including a global aerospace and defense company and America’s major shipbuilder and defense provider. He also advises clients on complex M&A matters in the sector, including recently advising a privately held National Security compliance business in its cross‑border acquisition by a NASDAQ‑listed company.
An Experienced Aerospace, Defense, and National Security Regulatory Practice
In addition to our established transactional, investigation, litigation, and government relations capabilities, our defense sector services include regulatory counseling concerning:
- Export and import licensing under regulations administered by the Department of Commerce and the Department of State;
- Federal procurement matters under Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARS, Defense FARS/DFARS, and Small Business Administration regulations;
- Department of Defense (DoD) sponsored work visas for foreign nationals working for U.S. based DoD contractors;
- Federal grant and cooperative agreement negotiations and administration under the OMB Uniform Guidance;
- Other transaction matters in connection with DoD projects;
- Cost accounting and audit defense;
- DoD/Defense Security Service facilities clearances under National Industrial Security Program;
- Federal government relations including congressional relations, legislative and procurement strategies, DoD pilot projects, and creating/strengthening industry relationships; and
- Purchase and sale of arms, munitions and military avionics, aircraft and components, software, and computers to foreign governments and private parties.
Vibrant Government Relations Practice in a Changing Political Climate
We recognize that our clients across the Aerospace, Defense, and National Security sector face increased risks and emerging opportunities in a changing and challenging political climate. Our nationwide government relations team provides practical and timely advice to help clients make informed decisions in this complex environment. When clients seek insights into developing matters, our network of relationships with the DoD, State Guard and Reserve agencies, major defense contractors, military facilities, members of Congress, and universities and organizations supporting the defense sector helps inform our perspective.
Long-Term Client Partner
We seek to add value as a trusted advisor by providing tailored advice and careful work product at a competitive value. We continually invest in our Aerospace, Defense, and National Security practice to ensure we have the resources to efficiently guide our clients. The Nelson Mullins team includes more than 35 attorneys who handle numerous sensitive matters of strategic importance for our clients, including supporting acquisitions and divestitures of defense contractors, counselling concerning voluntary self‑disclosures under deferred prosecution agreements, advising on matters involving forensic audits, providing guidance regarding competitive bidding matters under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR, Defense FAR/DFARS, Department of Energy (DOE) FAR/DEARS), and assistance with DoD/Defense Security Service facilities clearances under the National Industrial Security Program.
Our clients include emerging defense contractors, established private companies, including generational family businesses, Fortune 100 companies, global conglomerates, and major research institutions, as well as institutional investors, corporate investors, private equity funds, and venture capital funds. We also represent both corporations and management in the negotiation and preparation of employment, shareholder, non‑compete, confidentiality, licensing, technology transfer, and work‑for‑hire agreements.
We advise on government and procurement matters to protect client interests in disputes, investigations, and transactions. Our lawyers and policy advisors are a diverse team of professionals, including former government department heads, legal advisors, regulators, enforcers, and senior agency leaders. Collectively, we provide practical insight intended to help clients understand emerging developments, address issues, and pursue strategic opportunities.
We are a national U.S. law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers in 30 offices across the United States and are well positioned to represent you in these and adjacent matters based on the following capabilities:
Significant Experience in Complex Aerospace, Defense, and National Security Corporate and Transactional Matters
It is critical that the law firm partner leading your representation be active in the Aerospace, Defense, and National Security arena.
Jeff Perry, Chair of the Aerospace, Defense, and National Security practice, with almost 20 years of experience including work in Wall Street and Washington, D.C., has advised on a substantial number of complex corporate transactions, including cross‑border M&A, IPOs and other public company securities offerings, and private financings.
Over the course of his career, Jeff has worked extensively with Aerospace, Defense, and National Security industry clients, having served as outside counsel to (i) emerging technical innovators across the industry, as well as (ii) major aerospace and defense companies, including a global aerospace and defense company and America’s major shipbuilder and defense provider. He also advises clients on complex M&A matters in the sector, including recently advising a privately held National Security compliance business in its cross‑border acquisition by a NASDAQ‑listed company.
An Experienced Aerospace, Defense, and National Security Regulatory Practice
In addition to our established transactional, investigation, litigation, and government relations capabilities, our defense sector services include regulatory counseling concerning:
- Export and import licensing under regulations administered by the Department of Commerce and the Department of State;
- Federal procurement matters under Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARS, Defense FARS/DFARS, and Small Business Administration regulations;
- Department of Defense (DoD) sponsored work visas for foreign nationals working for U.S. based DoD contractors;
- Federal grant and cooperative agreement negotiations and administration under the OMB Uniform Guidance;
- Other transaction matters in connection with DoD projects;
- Cost accounting and audit defense;
- DoD/Defense Security Service facilities clearances under National Industrial Security Program;
- Federal government relations including congressional relations, legislative and procurement strategies, DoD pilot projects, and creating/strengthening industry relationships; and
- Purchase and sale of arms, munitions and military avionics, aircraft and components, software, and computers to foreign governments and private parties.
Vibrant Government Relations Practice in a Changing Political Climate
We recognize that our clients across the Aerospace, Defense, and National Security sector face increased risks and emerging opportunities in a changing and challenging political climate. Our nationwide government relations team provides practical and timely advice to help clients make informed decisions in this complex environment. When clients seek insights into developing matters, our network of relationships with the DoD, State Guard and Reserve agencies, major defense contractors, military facilities, members of Congress, and universities and organizations supporting the defense sector helps inform our perspective.
Long-Term Client Partner
We seek to add value as a trusted advisor by providing tailored advice and careful work product at a competitive value. We continually invest in our Aerospace, Defense, and National Security practice to ensure we have the resources to efficiently guide our clients. The Nelson Mullins team includes more than 35 attorneys who handle numerous sensitive matters of strategic importance for our clients, including supporting acquisitions and divestitures of defense contractors, counselling concerning voluntary self‑disclosures under deferred prosecution agreements, advising on matters involving forensic audits, providing guidance regarding competitive bidding matters under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR, Defense FAR/DFARS, Department of Energy (DOE) FAR/DEARS), and assistance with DoD/Defense Security Service facilities clearances under the National Industrial Security Program.
Our clients include emerging defense contractors, established private companies, including generational family businesses, Fortune 100 companies, global conglomerates, and major research institutions, as well as institutional investors, corporate investors, private equity funds, and venture capital funds. We also represent both corporations and management in the negotiation and preparation of employment, shareholder, non‑compete, confidentiality, licensing, technology transfer, and work‑for‑hire agreements.
- Integrated transactional, regulatory, and litigation experience for high-stakes defense matters.
- Proven counsel for complex, cross-border aerospace and defense transactions.
- Deep insight into defense procurement, compliance, and government decision-making.
- Strategic guidance for defense contractors, innovators, and investors.
