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Bret S. Wacker

Member
Managing Director, Clark Hill Public Strategies
fax +1 202.772.0905

Bret S. Wacker counsels clients in all areas of federal government procurement and market development, including prosecuting and defending bid protests and contract claims, developing and implementing compliance plans, reviewing solicitations, drafting contracts, subcontracts and joint venture agreements, and advising on mergers and acquisitions.

Bret also works with clients in the assessment, development, and implementation of federal procurement compliance programs, as well as counseling contractors during government audits and investigations and dispute resolution proceedings. He has represented clients before the U.S. General Accountability Office as well as the Boards of Contract Appeals and the Courts of the Federal Circuit.

In addition to his federal contracting practice, Bret works with both for-profit and not-for-profit entities seeking to secure federal research and development or other funding support through federal government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense and its sub-agencies. Bret’s government affairs practice enables him to introduce and seek the support of executive and legislative branch officials who can assist with the funding and acquisition process relevant to client programs and initiatives.

Prior to joining Clark Hill, Bret served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Adecco Government Solutions, the U.S. federal market subsidiary of the world’s largest staffing and human resources organization. Recruited with the charge of restructuring and rebuilding this business unit after the loss of its longtime single major federal contract, Bret led a team that defined and executed a federal market capture strategy, including instituting compliant internal business processes, as well as crafting sales and marketing efforts which resulted in several new, multi-year federal contracts.

Previously, Bret was Senior Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Compuware Corporation, one of the world’s largest independent software vendors and IT professional services providers. Bret provided counsel to the company’s board of directors and senior executives on a wide range of transactional and corporate matters. During his 10 years with Compuware, Bret negotiated and closed over 65 acquisition transactions in the U.S. and Europe.

Prior to joining the private sector, Bret served in the administrations of President Ronald Reagan and President George H. W. Bush, including an appointment as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs in which he oversaw the operations of the U.S. Passport Agency. In addition, Bret has provided policy and political counsel to the leadership of three national political campaigns. He is a member of the Bar of the States of Michigan and Maryland and is also admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. He is a member of the Board of Contract Appeals Bar Association, and the National Defense Industry Association.

*Licensed to practice in Maryland and Michigan, not Colorado or the District of Columbia. District of Columbia practice limited to matters and proceedings relating to or before federal courts and agencies. 

Education

J.D., Vermont Law School, Royalton, Vermont, 1984
B.A., Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, 1981

Memberships

Association of US Army (AUSA)

Board of Contract Appeals Bar Association (BCABA)

National Defense Industry Association (NDIA)

ABA Section of Public Contract Law

State Bar Licenses

Michigan, Maryland

Court Admissions

U.S. District Ct., E.D. of Michigan
U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. District Ct, District of Colorado
U.S. District Ct., District of Maryland