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“Cormac Connor was very professional and very organized and worked all kinds of hours to get this case moving in the best possible way.”

Administrator, in-home care provider

Overview

A former AUSA with substantial experience in private practice, Cormac defends individuals and corporations facing criminal and civil investigations.

Cormac is a trial lawyer with two decades of experience with high-stakes litigation and investigations, both as a prosecutor and as defense counsel. He has advised dozens of clients facing criminal and civil investigations involving all manner of federal criminal investigations, False Claims Act allegations, antitrust allegations, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act claims. Cormac regularly assists clients with responses to formal and informal investigative inquiries, including Grand Jury subpoenas, Office of Inspector General subpoenas, civil investigative demands, and 28 U.S.C. § 1782 subpoenas.

Cormac has advised federal contractors facing fraud and other types of investigations, and he regularly handles False Claims Act allegations on both the federal and state levels, as well as trade enforcement investigations regarding export controls. Cormac also has managed internal investigations on behalf of corporate clients related to concerns about regulatory, statutory, or policy compliance by management and employees. When advising clients, Cormac turns investigatory data into cogent, actionable advice, routinely presenting findings and assessments of potential areas of risk or legal exposure to management. He advises boards of directors and senior management regarding internal investigation findings, recommended corrective actions, and interactions with U.S. law enforcement authorities.

Cormac also routinely interacts with government agencies, state attorneys general and their offices, and government investigators on behalf of clients. He knows how stressful these interactions can be, and he provides clients with end-to-end representation, guiding clients during interviews and conversations with government investigators, coordinating responses to subpoenas, and handling civil investigative demands and other information requests.

In 2008, Cormac left private practice to join the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, where he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for nearly four years. As an AUSA, Cormac served as lead prosecutor in 24 criminal trials and investigated hundreds of criminal cases, managed Grand Jury investigations, and coordinated investigative activities by law enforcement personnel. He brings that perspective and insider knowledge to every representation, providing clients with strategic advice in managing risk and—ideally—avoiding prosecution through preventive compliance.

“Cormac Connor was very professional and very organized and worked all kinds of hours to get this case moving in the best possible way.”

Administrator, in-home care provider

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®
    • Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2023-2025
  • The Legal 500 United States
    • Government contracts, Recommended attorney, 2024

Education

  • J.D., Georgetown University Law Center
    • Dean's List
    • Immigration Law Journal
  • B.A., Davidson College
    • History

Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Virginia
  • Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
  • U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • Board Member, AUSA Association (USADC), 2015–present
  • Law Firm Liaison, Legal Aid Society of DC, 2014–2018
Experience
  • Advised large government contractor during FCA investigation initiated by DOJ and DOD-OIG regarding issues related to procurement of Defense Base Act insurance. Reviewed pricing and market analysis efforts performed by client in effort to evaluate insurance costs, seek competitive rates, and evaluate insurance provider and broker coverage and services, and invoicing related to same. Drafted and delivered presentation to investigators regarding findings. Persuaded investigative team to close inquiry without adverse action taken related to client.
  • Represented former owner of small business that contracted with DOD and other agencies to provide clothing, equipment, and other materials to military and civilian personnel. Investigation arose from qui tam FCA complaint and included allegations of small business fraud, kickbacks, and TINA violations. Investigation expanded by DOJ to include criminal allegations. Advised client during interviews with DOJ investigators and secured full immunity before grand jury testimony. Investigation resulted in FCA settlements and/or criminal guilty pleas for other parties, but no adverse action taken regarding the client.
  • Advised minority-share owner of federal contractor that provided training and counseling services to DOD and various military branches. Investigation led by DOJ and DOD-OIG. Reviewed documents and interviewed witnesses to develop understanding of client's role in operations. Advised client during debarment proceedings. Matter resolved with no adverse action taken related to client via DOJ civil or criminal investigation. Debarment proceedings closed with no adverse action taken.
  • Advised large government contractor in subpoena response to DOJ related to investigation into FCA and other fraud allegations arising from base support operations in Somalia. Allegations pertained to fuel and water costs and general inventory tracking matters. Reviewed client records and cost submissions to DOD. Interviewed personnel associated with base operations and compiled pertinent documents. Drafted and delivered presentation to DOJ. Persuaded investigative team to close inquiry without adverse action taken related to client.
  • Represented small business and owner of business as holder and operator of wireless spectrum licenses during response to qui tam FCA investigation. Led internal investigation and response to DOJ inquiries related to allegations of fraud and FCA violations related to whether client's business qualified for credits given to small businesses at spectrum auctions. Developed and delivered presentation to DOJ and FCC officials regarding findings. Persuaded DOJ to decline to intervene in case.
  • Represented naval engineering contractor during DCAA investigation that involved potential fraud and FCA issues. Allegations related to possible inaccurate certifications held by metallurgy testing subcontractor used by client. Evaluated certifications and requirements related to same. Advised client on mitigation efforts to demonstrate that products and testing methodologies were sound, despite alleged certification deficiencies of certain individual testers. Persuaded DCAA to close investigation without adverse action taken.
  • Advised government contractor regarding wage reporting and cost allocation issues between commercial and federal contracts. Conducted internal investigation related to same in response to internal whistleblower complaint, with emphasis on potential FCA or other fraud risk exposure. Reported to CFO and then to Board regarding findings and recommendations.
  • Represented large government contractor in subpoena response to DOJ and SIGAR related to investigation into FCA and other fraud allegations arising from operations in Afghanistan. Allegations pertained to building code compliance for pre-fabricated structures on several bases. Reviewed client records, construction and housing code requirements, and submissions to DOD re: same. Interviewed personnel associated with base operations and compiled pertinent documents. Subpoena response completed without adverse action taken related to client.
  • Represented owner of SDVOSB contractor during DOJ and SIGAR investigation into allegations of FCA, fraud and other misconduct during performance of contracts related to aircraft maintenance in Afghanistan. Allegations pertained to mischarging of time and false certifications as to whether personnel satisfied education requirements. Some allegations arose from qui tam relator, other allegations developed by SIGAR's separate investigation. Client ultimately pled guilty to criminal fraud charges regarding mischarging of time but sentenced to probation.
  • Advised TRICARE health care claims processing contractor facing VA-OIG investigation into allegations that client's claims processing had resulted in reverse false claims owed to government. Coordinated with expert witness retained to assist in evaluation of claims processing methods and practices. Interviewed company personnel responsible for procedures and supervision of claims processing efforts. Matter resulted in civil settlement with VA.
  • Represented both importers and exporters in trade investigations by trade enforcement agencies, including the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Export controls in question have included sanctions against Russia and other blacklisted nations.
  • Represents a small business in investigation related to small business fraud and antitrust allegations, with DOJ investigating whether the company's alleged affiliations affect its ability to qualify for set aside contracts.
Case Studies
Helping Modify State Licensure Questionnaires in 10 States

Husch Blackwell helped the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation review and modify the mental health-related questions asked by state physician and nurse licensing boards.

Community Leadership
  • Board Member, Eagle’s Nest Foundation, 2013–present