Former Navy General Counsel and Federal Prosecutor Bob Sander Joins Ward & Berry

Tysons, VA:

Ward & Berry, PLLC is pleased to welcome The Honorable Robert J. (“Bob”) Sander, the Former General Counsel of the Navy, as its newest Partner. In addition to being General Counsel of the Navy, Bob has served as:

• Principal Deputy General Counsel of the Army/Senior Official Performing the Duties of (i.e. Acting) General Counsel of the Army;
• Senior Associate General Counsel of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence;
• both a Federal and Local Prosecutor; and
• Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve Judge Advocate Generals (“JAG”) Corps.

Immediately prior to joining Ward & Berry, Bob was mobilized as a U.S. Army Reservist seconded to the Defense Logistics Agency’s Office of General Counsel, where he served as the Chief of the Procurement Fraud/Business Integrity Division and as an advisor to the Suspension and Debarment Official.  Bob has the unique perspective of having been the only person to have served as the Chief Legal Officer of both the Army (in an acting capacity) and the Navy (receiving unanimous confirmation from the Senate). Before leading both of these Legal Departments, Bob served in the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division (“NSD”). Bob’s time with the NSD included a detail to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence Office of General Counsel.

Prior his time at the Department of Justice, Bob served as a Homicide Prosecutor, the Captain of the Narcotics Enforcement Team and ultimately the Chief of the Economic Crimes Unit in the Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, District Attorney’s Office. Bob also served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

“We are excited to have Bob join us at Ward & Berry. Bob’s extensive Government experience gives him a deep and valuable perspective on the government’s interactions with industry in both the Defense and Intelligence communities. Bob’s expertise and knowledge allow us to further support our clients with the difficult issues they face in an industry full of surprises and potential pitfalls,” said Ward & Berry co-founder Dan Ward.

“Bob bolsters our National Security, Government Contracts, Compliance and Litigation Practices.  Beyond being a leader, Bob is also a teammate – and like the other experienced partners here at Ward & Berry, Bob is ready to roll-up his sleeves and apply his unique skillset to our clients’ needs, whether for classified litigation, addressing procurement fraud related matters, assessing export control compliance or a CFIUS review,” said Managing Partner, Ryan Berry.

“Bob’s military service and time working in the Intelligence Community (which took him around the world) and his TS/SCI clearance will give our clients the comfort that Bob understands the world in which they operate,” said partner Ryan Bradel.

Bob’s practice focuses primarily on counseling businesses operating in the national security sector (specifically the defense, homeland security, and intelligence sectors), government contracts, compliance, and litigation.  Bob guides Ward & Berry clients through the most complex and high-stakes challenges they face, including government investigations/enforcement actions, classified litigation and protests, false claims act litigation, suspensions/debarments, default terminations, and trade controls compliance.

“My partners at Ward & Berry are excellent attorneys, and as important – excellent people.  I am excited to be joining a firm that is working on the cutting edge of cybersecurity, compliance, and high technology, while helping their clients contribute to the Nation’s mission,” said Bob Sander.  “While the work is exciting and important, it is the people that attracted me to the firm. Ward & Berry’s growth is a testament to its success and vision: over the past year, the firm has added partners in key areas – Eric Kronman (Mergers & Acquisitions), David Panzer (Litigation/Enforcement), and Amanda Merced (Technology Transactions). All of us at Ward & Berry are invested in making our firm the premier Government Contracts and National Security Law Boutique.  At Ward & Berry, clients get the expertise and depth of a large law firm, with the agility, responsiveness, and limited conflicts of a boutique.”

Ward & Berry is ready to serve the needs of those already doing business with the government or those that are interested in doing so.