Charles A. Blanchard | People

Charles Blanchard, who previously served as the General Counsel of the Air Force and the Army, works with clients in the contracting and national security communities, drawing upon his experience in government and private practice, providing unique insights into doing business with the federal government. He represents major U.S. and foreign defense and aerospace companies on a wide range of national security and government contracts issues, including bid protests, transactions, internal investigations, cybersecurity and sensitive national security issues. This has included advising companies on the unique issues raised in acquiring companies that do highly classified work for the government, data rights disputes, Defense Production Act and other supply chain issues, Trade Agreements Act and Buy America advice, suspension and debarment defense, CFIUS and global foreign investment review advice, and advice on compliance with U.S. government cybersecurity and supply chain requirements. He also counsels life sciences and other companies that engage in U.S. Government-funded research and development, including OTAs and other agreements with BARDA and the DoD.

Prior to joining the firm, Charles served as General Counsel for the U.S. Air Force (2009–2013). In this role, he provided oversight and guidance for legal advice provided by more than 2,600 Air Force military and civilian lawyers worldwide. In addition, he served as General Counsel at the U.S. Department of the Army (1999–2001). Charles' other government experience includes serving as Chief Counsel to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (1997–1999), and as a two-term member of the Arizona State Senate. In 2003, he served as Interim Homeland Security Director for former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano. Charles was also formerly a partner in private practice where he focused on complex commercial litigation, antitrust, state constitutional law and election law.

Upon graduating from Harvard Law School, where he was awarded the Fay Diploma for graduating first in his class and served as an Articles Editor for the Harvard Law Review, Charles served as a law clerk for D.C. Circuit Judge Harry Edwards (1985–1986) as well as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (1986–1987). Charles also holds a Master of Public Policy degree from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Focus Areas

Experience

European aerospace company on Foreign Ownership and Control issues at the Department of Defense.
Defense contractors on compliance with U.S. government cybersecurity and supply chain security requirements, including Department of Defense Rule on Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting.
SAIC on national security issues arising from its proposed acquisition of Scitor.
Belgian state-owned aerospace company Sonaca Group in successfully obtaining CFIUS approval for its acquisition of LMI Aerospace.
Canadian manufacturer Celestica, Inc. in successfully obtaining CFIUS approval for its acquisition of Atrenne Integrated Solutions.

Israeli firms on a variety of national security issues involving their work in the United States.
Frontier Holdings in successfully obtaining CFIUS approval by its acquisition by Chinese textile company Shandong Ruyi.
Counsel for General Electric Company in securing foreign regulatory approvals for GE's $17 billion acquisition of Alstom's power business.
Major software company on the Trade Agreements Act.
Major defense contractor in a data rights dispute with the government.
Intelligence community contractor on issues arising in classified contracts.

Infinera, as lead counsel, in negotiating a $93 million grant under the CHIPS and Science Act to increase photonic semiconductor fabrication and packaging.
Intel Corporation, as lead counsel, in negotiating a $7.8 billion grant under the CHIPS and Science Act to advance the development of microchip fabrication facilities, and a $3 billion contract for trusted manufacturing of advanced semiconductors for national security.
AstraZeneca, in the negotiation of an agreement for the development and supply of its COVID-19 long-acting antibody under an agreement with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and the Department of Defense Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense.
Global pharmaceutical company in the negotiation of an agreement for the supply of a COVID-19 vaccine under an agreement with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and the Department of Defense Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense.
Multinational aerospace and defense contractor in securing a significant win in FCA litigation involving a highly-classified government program. The case involved a former employee who brought FCA claims against the company for allegedly defrauding the government in connection with a contract for radar systems and software and retaliating against him for reporting the alleged fraud.

Numerous biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in negotiations with HHS, BARDA, DoD and other agencies for the government-supported research and development of COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.
Numerous companies, including pharmaceutical companies, in advising on the application of the Defense Production Act to COVID-19 related products and services.
Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, B-412278.7, B-412278.8 (October 4, 2017)(successful defense of DHS contract award to Raytheon in multiple protests alleging OCIs).
Lockheed Martin Corporation, B-411365 (August 26, 2015)(successful GAO protest defending contract award to Raytheon Company for NORAD support services).
Science Applications International Corporation, B-416385.1 (June 8, 2018) (agency took corrective action in response to task order protest).
FedBid in connection with an adverse Veterans Administration Inspector General report, including conducting an internal investigation, advising on improvements to compliance program, and advice on approach to suspension and debarment authorities.
Several companies on FAA regulation of the commercial use of unmanned aircraft (drones), including preparation of a section 333 waiver application for a Fortune 100 company.
SRA International, Inc., B-416214.1 (June 27, 2018) (agency took corrective action after outcome prediction ADR).
CSRA LLC, B-414230.2 (December 26, 2017) (agency took corrective action in response to task order protest).
Performed numerous internal investigations for contractors regarding compliance with applicable statutes and the terms of their contracts.
FedBid in connection with an adverse Veterans Administration Inspector General report, including conducting an internal investigation, advising on improvements to compliance program, and advice on approach to suspension and debarment authorities.
Major defense contractor in a data rights dispute with the government.

Perspectives

January 27, 2025

Commerce Department Imposes Sweeping Global Restrictions on AI Technologies

Advisory

November 27, 2024

Arnold & Porter Advises Intel in Negotiating Multi-Billion Dollar CHIPS Act Grant

November 27, 2024

Treasury Department Issues Final Rule to Enhance CFIUS’ Monitoring Authorities and Sharpen Its Enforcement Powers

Advisory

November 21, 2024

Treasury Department Finalizes Rule to Prohibit and Regulate U.S. Outbound Investments in China

Advisory

August 29, 2024

CMMC 2.0: DoD Takes the Next Step and Issues a Proposed DFARS Rule

Advisory

More

Recognition

The Legal 500 US

International Trade (2018-2019, 2022)
Government Contracts (2015-2019, 2022)

Credentials

Education

J.D., Harvard Law School, 1985, magna cum laude
M.P.P., Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, 1985
B.S., Chemistry, Lewis & Clark College, 1981, with honors

Admissions

District of Columbia

Government & Military Service

Chief Legal Counsel, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy
General Counsel, U.S. Department of the Army
General Counsel, U.S. Air Force
Associate Independent Counsel, Office of the Independent Counsel
Senator, Arizona State Senate

Clerkships

United States Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, The Honorable Harry T. Edwards
Supreme Court of the United States, The Honorable Sandra Day O'Connor

Activities

Senior Advisor, Center for Strategic and International Studies
Member, Board of Trustees, The Aerospace Corporation (2014–2022)
Chairman, Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) Legal Roundtable (2022-2023)
Member, Finance and Administration Committee, Episcopal Relief and Development
Member of delegation to Kabul Afghanistan, Public Private Partnership for Justice Reform in Afghanistan (2015)
Member, American Law Institute
President and Founding Board Member, Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project (1991–1997, 2001–2009)