Maria Panichelli

As a member of Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman PC's Federal Contracting Group, I represent a national client base of prime and sub-contractors, with a focus on federal construction and small business procurement issues. My practice spans a variety of federal contracting matters, including the preparation of REAs and the filing of bid protests, contract claims, and appeals. I have represented clients before numerous Federal agencies, the Government Accountability Office and various Federal and state courts, and have dealt with cases covering a wide range of construction-related issues including defective design/specifications, differing site conditions, changes, suspensions, delays and contract terminations. I frequently counsel clients on compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations and False Claims Act.

I also counsel contractors on all aspects of small business procurement. Having acquired substantial experience with the government's 8(a), VOSB/SDVOSB, WOSB/EDWOSB and HUBZone small business programs, I provide effective assistance to clients applying for small business status, or competing for small business program set-aside contracts. I have successfully challenged negative agency findings with regard to clients’ SDVOSB and 8(a) eligibility, and successfully defeated both size- and status-related bid protests brought by competitors.

I also have considerable experience drafting teaming and joint venture agreements, and advising small business clients with regard to potential affiliation problems and subcontracting limitation issues. My small business practice often involves drafting corporate governance documents that will comply with small business program eligibility requirements.

I am active in a number of local bar associations as well as other construction-related professional associations, and am a frequent contributor to the firm’s Federal Construction Contracting blog, http://federalconstruction.phslegal.com/.