Aerospace and defense companies operate in some of the most complex, heavily regulated and highly scrutinized environments in the world. Legal issues in this sector often result in intense government oversight, significant financial exposure and national security implications — all of which require experienced, trusted counsel.

Aerospace & Defense

Innovative counsel for an essential industry.

Aerospace & Defense

Overview

Munger, Tolles & Olson represents aerospace and defense companies in their most sensitive, high-profile and mission-critical legal matters, including internal investigations, False Claims Act allegations and regulatory oversight. MTO lawyers conduct efficient, thorough internal investigations to help clients address regulatory concerns before they escalate. Our attorneys are trusted advisors in False Claims Act litigation, whistleblower defense, government investigations, environmental disputes and complex contract claims.

We have helped some of the most recognized companies in this industry navigate investigations by the Department of Justice, Department of Defense, Congress and other oversight bodies, resolving many matters discreetly while litigating those that demand a strong courtroom defense. If litigation is unavoidable, our deep bench of nationally recognized trial attorneys brings a track record of success in bet-the-company cases and federal appeals.

With deep experience in matters involving multibillion-dollar government contracts, national security and sensitive technologies, MTO provides aerospace and defense companies with clear legal solutions that support operational readiness and strategic goals.

Clients

Bechtel
Jacobs Engineering
Lawrence Livermore National Security
Lockheed
Northrop Grumman
Scaled Composites

Experience

From investigations to litigation, MTO attorneys have resolved a broad range of matters for the country’s leading defense contractors. Our representations include:

Bechtel National Inc. and its subsidiary, Waste Treatment Completion Company, in defending against criminal charges alleging false billings in connection with the clean-up of a site that had produced plutonium for nuclear weapons. MTO resolved the case through a civil settlement.
An aerospace company in:
- Winning reversal of a $604 million verdict awarded to ICO Global Communications Holdings Ltd., which had alleged that our client committed a breach of contract by building a satellite communications network.
- Securing dismissal with prejudice of a trade secrets action filed under RICO by Lockheed-Martin.
- Winning a decision from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, invalidating patent claims that a retired engineer had accused our client of infringing.
Lawrence Livermore National Security in defending against a False Claims Act (FCA) action brought by a former design physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory alleging FCA violations and whistleblower retaliation. The FCA claims were voluntarily dismissed and MTO secured summary judgment on the remaining retaliation claim.
Jacobs Engineering in securing summary judgment against Tetra Tech on claims arising from Tetra Tech’s activities at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco.
Northrop Grumman in:
- Internal and U.S. Air Force investigations of the Global Hawk aircraft crash.
- Obtaining victory in the Federal Circuit ensuring that the Defense Contract Management Agency cannot deny Northrop compensation for more than $250 million in post-retirement benefit costs that the agency had unlawfully withheld.
- Obtaining a civil settlement and a declination of criminal charges relating to a DOJ investigation of overseas time-charging.
Scaled Composites, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman, in an internal investigation and government investigations relating to the accidental crash and destruction of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo.