SVOG Grant Recipients Face Renewed Scrutiny: Understanding Your Appeal Rights When SBA Rescinds Prior Grant Approval
Recently, the Small Business Administration (SBA) began issuing letters to recipients of grant funds under the $16.25 Billion COVID-era Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, rescinding grant recipients’ eligibility for the program and demanding full or partial repayment of the grants. In many cases, the notices were a shock to grant recipients who went through multiple rounds of the grant approval process and received audit approval for their use of grant funds. Now, they face a daunting 30-day deadline for repayment of hundreds of . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – July 3, 2025
The Weekly Update recaps recent legislative and regulatory updates affecting government contractors and commercial businesses. If you have questions concerning this content, please email marketing@pilieromazza.com . PilieroMazza Promotes Former Air Force Litigator Mark Rosenow to Partner, PilieroMazza News, Mark F. Rosenow PilieroMazza is proud to announce the promotion of Mark Rosenow to Partner, effective July 1, 2025. “Mark’s promotion is a testament to his outstanding litigation skills and leadership,” said Todd Reinecker , Chair of the Firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group . “His ability to combine trial experience with sharp legal strategy makes . . . Read More
New False Claims Act Threats: 5 Key Takeaways from DOJ’s Initiative Targeting DEI and Antisemitism
On May 19, 2025, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a memorandum launching a new enforcement program known as the Civil Rights Fraud Initiative (the Initiative). Furthering the Trump Administration’s direct targeting of diversity, equity, and inclusion ((DEI) policies and alleged antisemitism among corporations and institutions receiving government funds, the Initiative will utilize the False Claims Act (FCA) to “investigate and . . . pursue claims against any recipient of federal funds that knowingly violates federal civil rights laws.” As part of the Initiative, . . . Read More
DOD Releases Intellectual Property Guidebook: Key Insights for Defense Contractors, Part 1
On May 1, 2025, the Department of Defense (DOD) released its much-anticipated Intellectual Property (IP) Guidebook (Guidebook). The Guidebook is a must-read for defense contractors who are looking to protect their IP when doing business with DOD, and who want to better understand the ins-and-outs of IP and data rights in government contracts. We agree with DOD that this Guidebook will “aid the Department’s acquisition professionals in development, execution, and management of effective IP Strategies that support all functional areas’ requirements and objectives across program . . . Read More
Multijurisdictional Employers, Part 2: 2025 State-by-State Updates on Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreements
Click here to view the recorded session. As the legal landscape around restrictive covenants continues to evolve, staying ahead of changes in non-compete and non-solicitation laws is critical for employers, their HR professionals, and in-house counsel. Don’t miss Part 2 in PilieroMazza’s “Multijurisdictional Employer” webinar series, where Sarah Nash and Zach Stinson offer a breakdown of the most recent legislative and judicial developments impacting the enforceability and drafting of non-compete and non-solicitation agreements across the U.S. Learning objectives include: the status of recent federal actions and . . . Read More
PilieroMazza Promotes Former Air Force Litigator Mark Rosenow to Partner
PilieroMazza is proud to announce the promotion of Mark Rosenow to Partner, effective July 1, 2025. “Mark’s promotion is a testament to his outstanding litigation skills and leadership,” said Todd Reinecker , Chair of the Firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group . “His ability to combine trial experience with sharp legal strategy makes him an indispensable asset to our clients and our practice. He exemplifies the commitment and excellence PilieroMazza values in our partners.” The Firm’s Managing Partner, Tony Franco , echoed Todd’s observations: “Mark has given us confidence that he shares . . . Read More
Managing Litigation Risk During the Business Lifecycle, Part 5: Fiduciary Duties
Litigation risk is an unavoidable aspect of running a business, but with thoughtful planning, exposure can be significantly reduced. From contractual disputes to employment disputes, potential legal challenges can arise at every stage of a company’s growth. Among these challenges, disputes involving fiduciary duties pose a particularly serious risk, potentially exposing both the business and its leaders to substantial liability and reputational harm. In this fifth installment of PilieroMazza’s blog series, “Managing Litigation Risk During the Business Lifecycle,” we explore fiduciary . . . Read More
New Developments for SBA’s HUBZone Program
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program underwent a major rule change in January 2025, as we wrote about here . In this blog, PilieroMazza examines new developments that clarify our understanding of the HUBZone rules and how the HUBZone Program is positioned to help the Trump Administration meet its objective to grow domestic small business manufacturing. SBA’s Made in America Manufacturing Initiative At a recent event, an SBA official explained that one of the agency’s key . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – June 26, 2025
The Weekly Update recaps recent legislative and regulatory updates affecting government contractors and commercial businesses. If you have questions concerning this content, please email marketing@pilieromazza.com . PilieroMazza’s Managing Partner Tony Franco Receives 2025 Chairman’s Award from Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, PilieroMazza News, Antonio R. Franco PilieroMazza is pleased to announce that the Firm’s Managing Partner, Tony Franco , is the recipient of the 2025 Chairman’s Award, a prestigious honor presented by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce . The Chairman’s Award recognizes an individual whose leadership, service, and dedication have made . . . Read More
Can Contractors Recover Damages for Arbitrary CPAR Ratings? The ASBCA Weighs In
Every seasoned government contractor knows the weight a negative Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) can carry. A blemish in the CPAR System (CPARS) can mean the difference between winning a new contract or losing to a competitor—regardless of price or technical merit. Therefore, when agencies issue a negative CPAR that seems unfair or unfounded, contractors understandably seek more than just the opportunity to respond—they want recourse. A recent decision from the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA) offers . . . Read More