David R. Hazelton

David Hazelton retired from the partnership on December 31, 2022. He specialized in government contract litigation, investigations, transactions, and counseling.

Mr. Hazelton practiced with Latham & Watkins for over 30 years and led the firm’s Government Contracts Practice.

False Claims Act litigation and investigations have been a central part of his practice. He also has litigated dozens of bid protest cases involving procurements of most every size and industry.

More broadly, Mr. Hazelton has handled virtually every type of government contract dispute including claims against federal agencies, disputes between primes and subcontractors, rights in technical data and other intellectual property (IP) disputes, termination claims, and suspension/debarment proceedings. He has regularly appeared in US District Courts and Courts of Appeals, the US Court of Federal Claims, the US Government Accountability Office, and a variety of federal regulatory agencies.

In addition to litigation matters, Mr. Hazelton has a wealth of experience in transactions involving government contractors, including mergers and acquisitions, teaming agreements, subcontract agreements, technology licensing, and international transactions. He also regularly advised clients on procurement laws and regulations including contracts and ethics compliance.

He belongs to the Public Contracts Section of the American Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association where he has served as the Chair of the Government Contracts Section.

Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Hazelton served as a law clerk to Judge Herbert Y.C. Choy of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Thought Leadership

Mr. Hazelton writes and speaks on a variety of government contracts matters. Publications that he has authored or co-authored include:

• "Private Equity Firm Faces FCA Liability for Portfolio Company’s Alleged Misconduct," Latham & Watkins Client Alert
• “False Claims Litigation 2010 - The Enforceability of False Claims Act Releases: Balancing Competing Interests,” Practising Law Institute, Ch. 8
• “What Every Contractor Should Know about the Tax Implications of Settling a False Claim Act Case,” Contract Management
• “Certifications under the Trade Agreements Act: 10 Tips to Avoid TAA Traps for the Unwary,” Bloomberg BNA Medical Device Law & Industry Report
• “Suspension and Debarment: The End of the Line,” 24 ABA Public Contract Newsletter 3
• “First Circuit Liberalizes Tax Deductibility Standards for False Claims Act Settlements,” Financial Fraud Law Report
• “Industry’s Wartime Role,” 16 Defense News 25
• “Learning the System: New Economy Companies Must Think Before Contracting with the Government,” 24 Legal Times
• “Recent Federal Circuit Opinion Highlights Risk of IP Rights in Government Contracts” Intellectual Property Strategist
• “The Federal Circuit's Emerging Role in Bid Protest Cases,” 36 American University Law Review 919