Chris Caulder is an associate in the Washington, D.C., office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice.

Chris represents clients in their most sophisticated government contracts matters, particularly involving contract disputes, and investigations and litigation involving the False Claims Act.

Chris leverages his prior experience in the US Marine Corps and US Intelligence Community to guide clients through high-stakes government contract claims and disputes, bid protests, suspension and debarment proceedings, and investigations and litigation involving the False Claims Act.

He also advises clients regarding compliance with a variety of government contracting regulatory requirements, including:

  • Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) obligations
  • Organizational conflicts of interest (OCI)
  • Small business size status and affiliation
  • Domestic preference requirements, including the Buy American Act and Trade Agreements Act
  • Procurement integrity
  • Subcontracting obligations

Chris also advises government contractors on compliance with government cybersecurity requirements, including the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), DFARS 252.204-7012, DFARS 252.239-7010, DFARS 252.204-7020, FedRAMP, NIST SP 800-171, Department of Defense Impact Levels (ILs), and cyber incident investigations and reporting.

He maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising nonprofit organizations on compliance with government grant requirements.

Chris currently serves in the US Marine Corps Reserve.

Chris’s experience includes advising:

  • Fortune 500 companies on compliance with government cybersecurity requirements
  • A technology company in an investigation involving FedRAMP, DFARS, and federal cloud-security compliance
  • A global logistics company in a DOJ investigation regarding compliance with DFARS 252.204-7012, NIST SP 800-171 requirements, and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)
  • An aerospace company on negotiating a favorable settlement in an FCA investigation
  • A consulting company on compliance with organizational conflicts of interest provisions in government contracts
  • Gulf Oil, a portfolio company of ArcLight Capital Partners, on novation of government contracts in association with its sale of a refined products terminal

Bar Qualification

  • District of Columbia

Education

  • JD, Georgetown University Law Center
    cum laude
  • MS, Northeastern University
  • BA, American Military University
    summa cum laude