Thomas Papson

Thomas C. Papson is an experienced litigator and bid protest lawyer, focusing on business litigation relating to government contracts. His practice includes conflict of interest and ethics matters, contract disputes, trade secret misappropriation and unfair competition claims, Administrative Procedure Act and Freedom of Information matters, contract and tort claims against the United States, and protests of both state and federal government contract awards. Chambers USA 2011 recognized Mr. Papson as one of the nation's leading government contracts and protest lawyers.

A past chair of the Bid Protest Committee of the ABA Public Contract Law Section, Mr. Papson has prosecuted and defended major bid protest cases involving telecommunications, information technology, healthcare, and aerospace/defense procurements in the federal courts and before the Government Accountability Office. He also has litigated several major cases involving misappropriation of trade secrets in the employment context. Mr. Papson represents both requesters and information submitters in FOIA litigation in the federal courts. He has substantial experience as a mediator.

In addition to his role as a practitioner, Mr. Papson serves as the Office Managing Partner of the firm’s Washington office. In that position, he manages the operations of the office and spearheads the firm's plan for the office's strategic growth. Mr. Papson previously served as a firm-wide Managing Partner.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Papson was a law clerk to Judge John J. Sirica in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.