Thomas C. Papson
FAX: 202.496.7756
Experience
Thomas C. Papson is a prominent litigator and bid protest lawyer, focusing on business litigation relating to government contracts. His practice includes organizational conflicts 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.
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. Papson represents both requesters and information submitters in FOIA litigation in the federal courts. He has substantial experience as a mediator. Chambers USA 2009 recognized Mr. Papson as one of the nation's leading government contracts and protest lawyers.
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.
Education
- J.D., Georgetown University, 1977
- B.A., University of Pennsylvania, 1973
Admitted
- District of Columbia
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Civic Activities:
- A past President of the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia, Papson has been a strong advocate for providing legal services to persons of limited means. He also has been a leader in the representation of historic preservation interests in the District of Columbia.
- Papson takes an active role in local bar activities. He is currently a member of the DC Bar’s Judicial Evaluation Committee. He received the President's Award from the DC Bar for his work as editor of the first District of Columbia Practice Manual, and is a past chair of the Bar’s Publications Committee.
Professional Activities:
- American Bar Association (Litigation and Public Contracts Sections)
- American Society of Access Professionals
- Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia, Presidents Council