Washington, D.C. / Nashville, Tenn. (Jan. 23, 2015) – Bass, Berry & Sims PLC is pleased to announce that it is expanding its global capabilities with the establishment of an International Trade Practice Group and expansion of its Government Contracts Practice Group. The new International Trade Practice Group will be chaired by Thad McBride. McBride joins the firm from Sheppard Mullin. The firm also welcomes Richard W. Arnholt, who joins from Crowell & Moring LLP, as a member in the Government Contracts Practice Group. Both members are based in the Washington, D.C. office.

“We are thrilled to expand both our international and our government contracts capabilities,” said John Kelly, managing partner of the Washington, D.C. office. “Since its launch in 2012, our Washington office has expanded in response to client needs and feedback. The International Trade Practice Group complements our bourgeoning Government Contracts Practice Group and elevates our ability to service our clients globally.”

About the International Trade Practice
The Bass, Berry & Sims’ international trade team counsels clients facing issues involving economic sanctions, exports, imports, anti-bribery, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, and other trade issues. We work closely with clients to develop practical solutions to problems related to compliance and investigations.

About Thad McBride
McBride will head the International Trade Practice Group. He has extensive experience representing international and domestic companies and individuals in international trade regulatory, compliance, investigative and enforcement matters related to U.S. economic sanctions and economic embargoes, U.S. export controls, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, U.S. anti-boycott controls, U.S. customs and other import controls, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and anti-money laundering and other trade controls.

He is a frequent speaker and been quoted in several national and international publications. He also is a prolific writer and has been published in such media outlets as Bloomberg BNA International Trade Reporter, Corporate Counsel, The Deal Magazine, Law360 and The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel.

McBride earned his undergraduate degree from Princeton University, where he was captain of the soccer team, and his law degree from Boston College of Law, where he served as editor of Third World Law Journal.

About Richard W. Arnholt
Arnholt advises companies on the complex rules applicable to contracting with federal and state governments. His experience spans a broad range of issues faced by government contractors and grant recipients, from protests and contract formation to litigation and dispute resolution relating to claims, alleged False Claims Act violations, and prime contractor/subcontractor disputes.

Although his practice is wide-ranging, he has focused on risk mitigation through implementation and upgrades to ethics and compliance programs as well as response to government allegations of procurement fraud or misconduct, including responding to suspension or debarment notices before various government agencies, including the U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy; Defense Logistics Agency; EPA; GSA; and Department of Homeland Security.

Arnholt earned his undergraduate degree from University of St. Andrews (Scotland), where he was captain of the lacrosse team, and his law degrees (J.D. and LL.M.) from Georgetown University Law Center. Prior to entering private practice, he served as a law clerk for The Honorable Mary Ellen Coster Williams of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Arnholt is an active member of the ABA’s Section of Public Contract Law, and has co-chaired or vice-chaired multiple committees during the past decade.

About Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
With more than 220 attorneys representing numerous publicly traded companies and Fortune 500 businesses, Bass, Berry & Sims PLC has been involved in some of the largest and most significant business transactions and litigation matters in the country. For more information, visit bassberry2022.wpengine.com.