Washington, DC – Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP is pleased to announce William Kirkwood has joined the firm as a partner in Washington, DC and will advise clients on navigating the complexities of government contracting. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, including as an executive with leading defense contractors, William will guide clients through the full life cycle of government contracts and grants. He has particularly deep experience in the aerospace and defense, health care, manufacturing, and energy industries, and advises companies on pursuing opportunities, negotiating favorable terms, complying with regulatory and other obligations, and resolving disputes.
William's clients value his ability to translate dense regulatory requirements into practical solutions. He has represented businesses in high-stakes bid protests and contract disputes, including securing and defending multi-billion-dollar federal and state contracts. He also advises on compliance with U.S. procurement and grant regulations, domestic preference laws, cybersecurity requirements, data rights and intellectual property, foreign military sales, labor regulations, and more.
"I’m excited to join Parker Poe and work alongside such a talented and highly regarded team," William said. "I look forward to helping our clients successfully navigate the challenges and opportunities of government contracts and grants."
Before private practice, William held senior roles with top-tier defense contractors, where he managed portfolios of global contracts worth billions of dollars and built and led teams that integrated compliance seamlessly with business operations. That experience gives him a unique perspective into how clients can strengthen their compliance and capture strategies, streamline performance, and avoid pitfalls in working with federal and state agencies.
"Parker Poe has a long history of helping clients navigate the world of government contracts and procurement," said partner Bruce Thompson, who leads the firm’s Government & Public Policy Group. "William’s addition to our team puts us in a position to deliver these services on a larger scale. We are incredibly excited that he has joined Parker Poe."
William joins Parker Poe from Winston & Strawn, where he was counsel in the firm’s Washington, DC office. He earned a Master of Laws in government procurement law from The George Washington University Law School, a law degree from Touro University, and a bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut.
About Parker Poe
Businesses and local governments turn to Parker Poe to structure transactions, navigate regulations, and resolve disputes. Founded in 1884, the Southeast business law firm today has approximately 300 attorneys across offices in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Washington, DC.
Parker Poe is a member of two leading international legal networks: TerraLex and the Employment Law Alliance. TerraLex and the ELA have chosen Parker Poe to help guide clients through the challenges of global business.