Profile
Rita counsels government contractors and subcontractors on a wide array of legal issues, including bid protests, cybersecurity, internal investigations, and claims and disputes.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Prosecutes and defends bid protests before federal and state bodies, including the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC).
- Represents government contractors in a variety of disputes with the government, including claims, terminations, and cost disallowances before the Boards of Contract Appeals, the COFC, and in federal district court, as well as disputes between contractors over teaming and subcontracting arrangements.
- Assists government contractors in navigating regulatory requirements related to cybersecurity, national security, and supply chain risk management, including Department of Defense (DoD) and civilian agency cybersecurity requirements, FedRAMP, NIST, secure software development practices and SBOMs, and incident response.
- Counsels government contractors on compliance with the federal False Claims Act (FCA) and government FCA investigations.
- Assists with internal investigations relating to issues unique to government contractors, including cybersecurity compliance, government contracts ethics, alleged violations of the FCA, and other federal and state laws and regulations.
Professional Experience
- Spring Law Clerk, Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (2020)
- Research Assistant, George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School, Professor Caroline Cecot (2020)
- Administrative Law Clinic, George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School (2019-2020)
Recognitions
- Included in The Best Lawyers in America directory of “Ones to Watch” for Government Relations (2026)
Practice Areas
Credentials
Education
J.D., magna cum laude, George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School
B.A., High Honors, University of California, Santa Barbara
Law Journals
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Law, Economics, and Policy (2020-2021)
Bar and Court Memberships
- District of Columbia Bar
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Related News & Insights
- AlertDOD Issues Final DFARS Rule for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification ProgramTracye Winfrey Howard, Gary S. Ward, Megan L. Brown, Jacqueline F. "Lyn" Brown, Teresita Regelbrugge, Vaibhavi PatriaSeptember 10, 2025
- AlertDOD Issues Final Rule Addressing Conflicts of Interest in Certain Consulting ContractsTracye Winfrey Howard, Teresita RegelbruggeAugust 28, 2025
- Press Release81 Wiley Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers in America 2026August 21, 2025
- ArticleDepartment of Defense Mandates Use of Software Acquisition Pathway for Software Development ProcurementsThe Journal of Federal Agency ActionTracye Winfrey Howard, Gary S. Ward, Scott A. Felder, Teresita Regelbrugge, Vaibhavi PatriaJuly 31, 2025