Verified profile

Scott M. McCaleb

Attorney | Government Contracts, Co‑Chair at Wiley Rein LLP

Scott M. McCaleb's profile photo
LocationWashingtonDistrict of Columbia, United States
Current roleAttorneyWiley Rein LLP · since Jan 1997
Government service8yrsU.S. Army · Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

About

Scott represents clients on all aspects of procurement matters across all industries. He has repeatedly been named one of America’s Leading Lawyers in Government Contracts by Chambers USA, Super Lawyers, Acritas, Who’s Who, Legal 500, Lawdragon, and Washingtonian. He was named Law360 MVP in Government Contracts in 2015, 2016, 2019, 2023 and 2024, and Washingtonian named him to its Lawyers’ Hall of Fame in 2022.

Roles

Jan 1997–Present
Current role

Attorney

Wiley Rein LLP

Washington | Batimore, District of Columbia

Civil LitigationLegal InvestigatorGovernment ContractsClaims ExaminerAppellate Litigation

As a Partner at Wiley Rein, I represent clients on all aspects of federal, state, and local procurement matters across all industries, including aerospace and weapon systems integration, information technology solutions, and architect-engineering and construction matters.

Jan 2003–Jan 2005
Former role

Adjunct Professor for Government Contracts

The George Washington University School of Law

Washington, District of Columbia

Professor
Jan 1996–Jan 2002
Former role

Adjunct Professor for Government Contracts

George Mason University School of Law

George Mason, Virginia

Professor
Jan 1995–Jan 2000
Former role

Instructor

U.S. Army, Judge Advocate General's School

(appointed)Virginia

Training Instruction
Jan 1995–Jan 1997
Former role

Law Clerk

Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

(appointed)District of Columbia

Law ClerkLegal Assistance

Served as judicial law clerk to the Honorable Haldane Robert Mayer, researching and drafting opinions, orders, and bench memoranda.

Jan 1992–May 1995
Former role

Captain | Assistant Counsel for Procurement and Information Technology

U.S. Army, Judge Advocate General's School

(appointed)Virginia

Information and Communications Technology

Representative matters

Experience

May 2025

Bid Protests: Numerous successes before GAO, Court of Federal Claims and the Federal Circuit involving billions of dollars, including landmark decisions: the “Tanker” protest, The Boeing Co., B-311344, June 18, 2008, 2008 CPD ¶ 114; Turner Construction Co. v. U.S., 94 Fed. Cl. 561 (2010); and Alabama Aircraft Industries v. U.S., 586 F.3d 1372 (Fed. Cir. 2009). Appellate Litigation: Extensive successful appellate experience for both parties and amici curiae, including: The Boeing Co. v. U.S., 119 F.4th 17 (Fed. Cir. 2024); The Boeing Co. v. Sec’y of the Air Force, 983 F.3d 1321 (Fed. Cir. 2020); CGI Fed. Inc. v. U.S., 779 F.3d 1346 (Fed. Cir. 2015); Turner Construction Co. v. U.S., 645 F.3d 1377 (Fed. Cir. 2011); U.S. ex rel. Totten v. Bombardier, 380 F.3d 488 (D.C. Cir. 2004); and General Electric Co. v. Delaney, 251 F.3d 976 (Fed. Cir. 2001). Commercial Litigation: Broad experience successfully litigating disputes between competitors, prime and subcontractors, and putative class actions, involving claims of multiple billions of dollars based on allegations of trade secret misappropriation, racketeering, antitrust and TCPA violations, contract breach, and state secrets, such as Lockheed Martin Co. v. The Boeing Co., 2005 WL 729685 (M.D. Fla. 2005), Cunningham v. General Dynamics Information Tech., 2017 WL 1682534 (E.D. Va. 2017); and Wever v. AECOM, 2017 WL 5139263 (E.D. Va. 2017). Termination and Claims Litigation: Represented clients successfully in connection with numerous claims and contract terminations (default and convenience) involving billions of dollars and classified programs (e.g., the A-12 termination), with many resolved through negotiation while others required litigation. See, e.g., The Dow Chem. Co., CBCA No. 5542, 2016 WL 7233226 (2016) ($375M judgment). Fraud Investigations and Litigation: Represented numerous clients in connection with Government claims of contractor wrongdoing, including conducting internal investigations, engaging agency Suspension & Debarment Officials, and litigating fraud and false claims allegations.

Recognition

Honors

Government Contracts MVP

Law360

March 2024

As of 2024, only attorney named by Law360 as a Government Contracts MVP five times (2014, 2015, 2019, 2023, and 2024)

Top Lawyers Hall of Fame

Washingtonian

January 2022

Named to Washingtonian’s “Top Lawyers Hall of Fame” (2022) and consistently recognized on the magazine’s biennial list of Washington’s “Top Lawyers” (2009, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024) and “Best Lawyers” (2011, 2013).

Tier 1 of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business

Chambers USA

January 2024

Listed by Chambers USA as Tier 1 of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” in Government Contracts (2006-2024), and in Government Contracts: Bid Protests (2020-2024)

3000 Leading Lawyers in America

Lawdragon

January 2011

Named by Lawdragon as one of ”3000 Leading Lawyers in America” (2010-2011)

Super Lawyers

Super Lawyers magazine

District of Columbia | January 2023

Named one of DC's “Super Lawyers” for Government Contracts by Super Lawyers magazine (2013-2020, 2022-2023)

Leading Lawyer

The Legal 500 US

January 2024

Named by The Legal 500 US as a “Leading Lawyer” in Government Contracts (2017-2024)

Included

the International Who’s Who of Public Procurement Lawyers

January 2014

Included in the International Who’s Who of Public Procurement Lawyers (2013-2014)

Thought Leaders 2018 for Government Contracts

Who’s Who Legal:

May 2025

Included

The Best Lawyers in America

May 2025

Included in The Best Lawyers in America directory for Government Contracts (2025)

Stand-out Lawyer

Thomson Reuters

January 2018

Named an Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer (formerly Acritas Star Lawyer) (2018)

Martindale-Hubbell’s highest ranking by peers

AV Peer Review Rating

May 2025

AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell’s highest ranking by peers for general ethical standards and legal ability

Publications & speeches

Fourth Circuit Opinion Defines Derivative Sovereign Immunity Doctrine

Wiley.law

April 2018

This week, the Fourth Circuit issued an opinion in Cunningham v. General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. (No. 17-1592), that clearly defines the scope and nature of the derivative sovereign immunity doctrine articulated by the Supreme Court in Yearsley v. W.A. Ross Construction Co., 309 U.S. 18, 20-21 (1940). It is a decision about which all government contractors should be aware

Link

Analysis of Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Final Rule and Guidance

Wiley.law

August 2016

The final Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Rule and final U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Guidance implementing Executive Order 13673, Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces, have now been published in the Federal Register

Link

Final Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Rule and Guidance to be Published in Federal Register

Wiley.law

August 2016

The final Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Rule and final U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Guidance implementing Executive Order 13673, Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces, have now been published in the Federal Register.

Link

Federal Circuit Says Intervene in NAICS Code Appeals or Forever Hold Your Peace

Wiley.law

April 2015

Contractors considering small business set-aside opportunities need to be on the look-out for North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code appeals, as it is now clear there will only be one bite at the apple for these challenges.

Link

Strategies for Litigating Bid Protests: Forum Selection

Aspatore's Inside the Minds: Litigation Strategies for Government Contracts

January 2011

Defining Our Vision and Values

Wiley Government Contracts — PODCAST

April 2023

Link

Statutes & Regulations

Thomson Reuters Government Contracts Year In Review Conference

February 2023

Link

2022 Judicial Conference

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

September 2022

Link

Statutes & Regulations

Thomson Reuters Government Contracts Year In Review Conference

February 2022

Link

Contractor Data Markings: The Boeing Company v. Secretary of the Air Force

Aerospace Industries Association

February 2021