Seth Locke, Highly Respected Government Contracts Litigator, Joins WilmerHale’s Growing Defense Group

  • 2.7.2025

WilmerHale is pleased to announce that Seth Locke, a well-known and highly-regarded government contracts practitioner, is joining the firm’s industry-leading Defense, National Security and Government Contracts Group.

Locke, who comes to WilmerHale from another international law firm where he co-chaired its government contracts group, will be based in the firm’s Washington, DC office.

Locke’s WilmerHale practice will comprise all aspects of government contracts litigation including bid protests, contract performance issues, cost accounting claims and other disputes. He has extensive experience with the Federal Acquisition Regulation, and in helping clients navigate risk management and litigation prevention in the government contracting process.

In addition, he has significant experience with False Claims Act (“FCA”) cases, internal investigations, contract termination procedures, and advising clients on protecting their rights in technical data and computer software. He has handled matters before the US Court of Federal Claims, the Armed Services and Civilian Boards of Contract Appeals, and the US Government Accountability Office, and counseled clients in mergers and acquisitions to address government contracts and regulatory issues.

His clients include defense contractors, logistics contractors, global aerospace manufacturers, technology companies, service contractors and commercial contractors.

“With the addition of Seth, we continue to build on our market-leading defense and national security practices,” said Anjan Sahni, WilmerHale’s managing partner. “We intend to announce soon that we are adding even more talent and depth in this vital sector.”

“WilmerHale’s platform, with its powerhouse capabilities in numerous areas critical to government contractors, such as litigation, FCA, investigations and cybersecurity, is an ideal setting for my practice,” Locke said. “It expands the range of sophisticated, cross-practice assistance I can offer clients, with my WilmerHale colleagues, in the very dynamic government contracting landscape.”

“Lawyers with Seth’s experience and expertise are highly prized,” said Andrew Shipley, who leads the firm’s government contracts controversy practice.  “I am thrilled that Seth has chosen to join WilmerHale.”

Locke is a regular speaker at conferences attended by in-house government contracts lawyers and events hosted by the DC chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel.

Locke earned his JD from The George Washington University Law School in 2008 and his BA from Washington University in St. Louis in 2005.