Liff, Walsh & Simmons Welcomes Richard Vartain, Of Counsel, For Government Contracts

Liff, Walsh & Simmons has welcomed Richard Vartain to the firm as “of counsel.” Vartain will lead the firm’s government contracts practice area with specialties in contract negotiations and business ethics, government fraud investigations, cybersecurity, and national security matters.

Vartain brings to the firm more than 30 years of experience in complex federal government-related procurement matters. He can assist government contractors in winning, negotiating, performing and retaining U.S. Department of Defense, intelligence community, and civilian contracts. Vartain also has experience in managing government, whistleblower and internal investigations. He has first-chair False Claims Act trial experience, having served with the U.S. Department of Justice.

“We are excited to have Rich on board to lead the firm’s new government contracts practice area,” said Jay Walsh, founder and managing partner of Liff, Walsh & Simmons. “His broad knowledge in navigating government contracts, including complex federal regulations, allows us to better serve an important industry, which is highly concentrated in our region. His addition to the firm provides an immediate and significant expansion of our ability to serve our clients on government contract matters. We are fortunate to have someone with such caliber of experience as Rich.”

Immediately prior to joining Liff, Walsh & Simmons,  Vartain was the assistant vice president and senior counsel to AT&T’s chief compliance office and AT&T’s national security and defense public sector segment. Vartain maintains high-level security clearances and has provided legal support for classified programs with intelligence community agencies. He has regularly engaged with the intelligence community’s general counsel and the U.S. Department of Justice’s national security division. His depth of experience further extends to handling government legal demands from companies for information.

“Expanding Liff, Walsh & Simmons’ client-centric services to support mid-tier companies with government contract requirements builds on my extensive experience in federal procurement, cybersecurity, and national security,” Vartain said. “I look forward to contributing to the firm's continued success and growth by supporting new and existing clients.”

Vartain earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia College of Arts and Sciences, and subsequently, obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia Law School. He is licensed to practice law in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, and holds top secret/SCI (full scope polygraph) clearances. Vartain resides on the Broadneck peninsula with his spouse and family.