Steptoe Bolsters Government Contracts Practice with Addition of Amba Datta
Steptoe & Johnson LLP is pleased to announce that it has deepened the capabilities of its highly regarded Government Contracts practice with the addition of Amba Datta as a partner in the Washington, DC office, where she will focus on government contracts, internal investigations, and compliance.
Datta represents government contractors across various industries in bid protests before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and the U.S. Government Accountability Office. In addition, she counsels clients on compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and other federal agency acquisition supplements and drafts and negotiates teaming agreements, contracts, and subcontracts. She also conducts internal investigations and assists contractors in responding to government criminal, civil, and administrative actions, including allegations under the False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Act.
“Amba’s proven advocacy skills and experience advising on high-stakes bid protests will add significant depth to our leading Government Contracts practice, particularly related to ever-growing novel issues such as compliance with cybersecurity and supply chain regulatory requirements,” said Steptoe chair Gwen Renigar. “She will be an invaluable addition to the firm as we continue to develop the next generation of leaders to serve our clients’ needs and respond to steadily increasing demand.”
Datta added: “I am very excited to be joining the Government Contracts team at Steptoe, a firm renowned for its depth of knowledge at the intersection of government regulation, litigation, and investigations. I look forward to contributing my own expertise in a wide range of government contracts matters and collaborating with this group of talented professionals to help our clients achieve their business goals.”
Highly ranked by Chambers and Legal 500, the top legal directories, Steptoe’s Government Contracts Group combines Steptoe’s litigation prowess with an extraordinary breadth of experience in government contracting issues. The group is built around a team of highly experienced lawyers who are familiar with all aspects of the government procurement process and who function in a collegial and highly cooperative manner. This enables us to respond quickly and seamlessly to meet the needs of our clients, both large and small, and to provide them with innovative solutions to complex government contracting issues.
Amba Datta earned her J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota in 2009, where she served on the Minnesota Law Review. She earned her B.A. from Columbia University in 2003.
About Steptoe
In more than 100 years of practice, Steptoe has earned an international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in structuring business transactions. Steptoe has more than 500 lawyers and other professional staff across offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.
The diversity of the firm is a critical factor in its success. The firm’s Chair is a woman; the majority of Steptoe’s nine offices are managed by women; the majority of Steptoe’s practice groups have women as leaders; and the firm’s twelve-person elected compensation committee is headed by a woman and includes five women as members. The firm’s eight-person professional business services leadership is equally diverse, with half the c-suite made up of women, including three women of color, and other leaders who openly identify as LGBTQ+.
