Maria L. Panichelli

Accomplished government contracts lawyer deepens firm’s nationally ranked team and broadens procurement, litigation and counseling capabilities amid evolving federal contracting landscape

Miles & Stockbridge, an Am Law 200 law firm with more than 200 lawyers across Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia and New York, today announced that Maria L. Panichelli has joined the firm's Government Contracts Practice Group as a principal in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, further expanding the firm's ability to advise government contractors and subcontractors nationwide on complex procurement, compliance and contract dispute matters. The practice has earned a top national ranking from Chambers USA six years running.

Panichelli is a nationally recognized government contracts lawyer who represents contractors and subcontractors of various sizes, located across the country and abroad, through every phase of the federal procurement lifecycle. She has substantial bid protest experience, representing protestors and intervenors before agencies, the Government Accountability Office and U.S. Court of Federal Claims. She also routinely assists clients with the preparation of Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs) and Contract Disputes Act (CDA) claims and has extensive experience with negotiating and resolving those claims through ADR and settlement, as well as with litigating those claims before the Boards of Contract Appeals, Court of Federal Claims and Federal Circuit.

She helps clients navigate complex compliance and performance problems by interpreting and applying the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), agency-specific acquisition regulations (such as DFARS, GSAR and VAAR) and various procurement statutes. She provides comprehensive counseling on teaming arrangements and subcontracting issues and advises her clients on all aspects of the small business programs. Those clients span a variety of industries, including aerospace and defense, information technology, construction and professional services.

Her arrival comes as government contractors face significant changes in the federal procurement environment, including evolving agency priorities, increased regulatory complexity and heightened scrutiny of contract performance and compliance.

"Miles & Stockbridge is committed to investing in exceptional talent in the areas where our clients need us most," said Scott Wilson, Chair, President and CEO of Miles & Stockbridge. "Government contractors are navigating an increasingly complex marketplace, and Maria's addition strengthens our ability to provide sophisticated, practical counsel to clients pursuing and performing federal contracts. Her experience, reputation and deep understanding of the procurement landscape make her an outstanding addition to our firm."

"Maria brings exactly the kind of strategic experience and client-focused approach that defines our Government Contracts Practice," said Jeremy Scholtes, co-leader of the practice. "She has built a national reputation helping contractors navigate high-stakes matters, from bid protests and contract disputes to small business procurement and compliance. Her arrival enhances our capabilities throughout the federal marketplace."

Before joining Miles & Stockbridge, Panichelli was a partner at McCarter & English. She is an active member of the American Bar Association's Public Contract Law Section and is involved in a number of industry interest groups. She is also a frequent author and speaker on government contracting and small business procurement topics.

“I was drawn to Miles & Stockbridge because of the strength of its Government Contracts Practice and the firm’s commitment to serving clients facing complex and evolving challenges,” said Panichelli. “The firm has built an extraordinary Government Contracts platform, with a number of talented lawyers, each possessing an impressive depth and breadth of procurement experience. Clients can trust that this deep legal knowledge will be converted into practical business advice. That’s what has allowed Miles to build such strong client relationships. I am excited to integrate my own practice into this accomplished group, and eager to join my new colleagues in continuing to build a practice that delivers exceptional value to its clients."

Panichelli's addition reflects Miles & Stockbridge's continued investment in its Government Contracts Practice, which advises emerging businesses, established contractors and some of the nation's largest federal contractors on procurement strategy, compliance, investigations, claims, bid protests, transactions and litigation.

Government Contracts Practice Group

The lawyers in the Government Contracts practice at Miles & Stockbridge have decades of experience helping clients of all sizes, across industries, doing business directly or indirectly with international, federal, state and local governments. They counsel on the full range of government contract and grant issues, litigate successfully before international, federal, state and local forums and assist clients with transactions involving public and private organizations that do business with public entities.

Lawyers in the Government Contracts practice consult with colleagues in the firm’s corporate, environmental, labor, IP, litigation, real estate, tax, business torts and white-collar practices, among others, to assemble a team of the most directly knowledgeable lawyers to address each client’s issues. The team’s bench includes former government procurement lawyers, a principal who served in the Executive Office of the President of the United States, a trial lawyer who has litigated some of the largest and most complex contract claims against the federal government and a former Air Force space operations career officer.

About Miles & Stockbridge

Miles & Stockbridge is an Am Law 200 law firm with more than 200 lawyers and offices in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia and New York. The firm’s lawyers help global, national, local and emerging business clients preserve and create value by helping them solve their most challenging problems.  With 15 Chambers-ranked practices and a highly diversified client base, Miles & Stockbridge delivers sophisticated counsel across litigation, corporate, finance, regulatory, real estate, tax, labor and employment, intellectual property and government contracts, helping clients achieve their business objectives in an evolving marketplace. For more information, please visit the firm’s website, and follow Miles & Stockbridge on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.