Professional Qualifications

Ms. Himes’ practice focuses primarily on civil litigation in federal trial and appellate courts. She has over twenty years of experience successfully litigating cases involving a wide variety of matters, with a particular emphasis on government contracts and complex tort cases. She has significant experience in asserting such federal doctrines and defenses as federal officer removal, the Defense Base Act, the political question doctrine, combatant activities preemption, derivative sovereign immunity, and the government contractor defense.

Ms. Himes has extensive experience litigating issues over access to public records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). She regularly works with agencies in FOIA matters and has been successful in obtaining FOIA records for clients in a variety of matters. Ms. Himes also handles claims against federal agencies brought under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and represents her clients in matters before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Ms. Himes’ government contracts experience includes terminations, contract disputes, and bid protests, and her tort work includes significant class action and mass tort litigation experience. She also has experience litigating employment matters. She regularly advises clients on tort mitigation and insurance issues, with a current emphasis on COVID-19 counseling.

At the appellate level, Ms. Himes has handled matters before many federal Courts of Appeals in cases involving a broad range of subject matters.

Ms. Himes is a member of the American Bar Association Litigation, Public Contract Law, and Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Sections. She is also involved with the Food and Drug Law Institute (FDIL).

Education

J.D., University of Virginia School of Law
Journal of Law & Politics

B.A., College of William & Mary
Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa

Bar Admissions

Maryland
District of Columbia
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit