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Joshua Schnell

Joshua Schnell

Partner

jschnell@cordatislaw.com
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As the head of Cordatis’s litigation practice, Josh Schnell represents government contractors, grant recipients, businesses, and individuals in federal. state, and administrative courts throughout the country. These cases often involve breach of contract claims, bid protests, terminations, the Administrative Procedure Act, intellectual property disputes, and employment matters.

In addition to his litigation practice, Josh maintains an active ethics and compliance practice. This practice includes helping clients develop and strengthen their ethics and compliance programs and conducting internal investigations.  Josh also defends clients in False Claims Act cases, suspension and debarment hearings, audits, and other enforcement proceedings.  For example, Josh has successfully defended clients against investigations by the Department of Justice, several Offices of Inspector General, and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP).

Josh also relies on his USDA and DOJ experience to advise farmers, ranchers, non-profits, and other entities on contracts and grants related to public lands and natural resources. For example, Josh helps clients with issues related to Forest Service stewardship contracts, Department of Interior land-use issues, and the sustainable agriculture and conservation programs that USDA administers under the Farm Bill and other authorities.

Finally, Josh spends a significant amount of his time counseling clients on avoiding litigation, audits, and government investigations. To achieve these objectives, Josh frequently advises clients on the following types of issues:

  • Data rights and intellectual property
  • Small business programs
  • OFCCP compliance
  • The Buy American Act, Trade Agreements, Act, Berry Amendment, and other domestic purchasing preferences
  • Cost-accounting and pricing
  • Export controls
  • Teaming agreements and joint ventures
  • Equitable adjustments
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • FAR and DFARS interpretation
  • Cybersecurity
  • Natural resources and sustainable agriculture programs
  • Security clearances
  • GSA Schedule contracts
  • GSA leases
  • The AbilityOne Program
  • Government-wide grant regulations
  • Cooperative Agreements and Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs)
  • CPARS disputes

When not practicing law, Josh enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids, coaching lacrosse and basketball, and chasing brook trout in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Articles

Published on:

Funding freezes impact farmers and ranchers

Partner Josh Schnell recently spoke to a large group of farmers, ranchers, and the non-profits that support them about their legal rights with respect to suspended and terminated contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements. Click this post to access the webinar and related news coverage.
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Can the Trump Administration end California’s high-speed rail project?

Partner Josh Schnell was recently interviewed by Smart Cities Dive on compliance issues related to the California High-Speed Rail Authority's multi-billion dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Department of Transportation. Click on this post to access the article.
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Client alert: Federal court pauses DEI executive orders

On February 21, 2025, a federal court issued a nation-wide preliminary injunction that temporarily stops President Trump’s efforts to criminalize programs that support diversity, equity, and inclusion. Click the link to learn more and contact Josh Schnell with questions about DEI terminations or related compliance issues. 
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Law360 Coverage of billion dollar bid protest

Law360 recently published an article about the bid protest we filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims on behalf of Centerra Security Service GmBH. In the case, a Cordatis team consisting of Daniel Strouse, Josh Schnell, and Pablo Nichols are challenging the Army's award of a billion dollar contract for security services throughout Germany.
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Client Alert: Know your rights when the government terminates your contract

Two of President Donald J. Trump’s recently issued Executive Orders direct federal agencies to end their Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) programs. As a result, agencies that contracted for DEIA services are now terminating those contracts for the government’s convenience. Clink on this post for more information about how we can help with termination issues.
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Can’t win for losing?

A Cordatis team consisting of Daniel Strouse and Josh Schnell recently persuaded the U.S. Court of Federal Claims to leave their client's contract in place despite an unfavorable decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
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The Court of Federal Claims holds that USAID unlawfully eliminated our client from an $800 million procurement

In a recent decision, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims issued a decision requiring the U.S. Agency for International Development to allow our client--a mentor-protege joint venture--to compete for an $800 million contract.
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“Judge Criticizes USPS as K-9 Screening Contract ‘Saga’ Ends”

Law360 recently published an article highlighting Daniel Strouse and Josh Schnell's successful representation of our client in a multi-year protest of a major USPS procurement for bomb-detection services. During the course of this long-running protest, our client went from protester, to awardee, to successful incumbent. 
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New DoD Rule increases the domestic content requirements for certain contracts

On February 14, 2024, the Department of Defense (DoD) issued a final rule that changes the domestic-sourcing requirements for DoD procurements subject to the Buy-America Act. When applicable, this final rule generally requires contractors to supply products that are made with components that comprise at least 65 percent of the product’s cost. Click the link to learn more.
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Afghan Company Says Taliban Takeover Doesn’t Stop Contract Case

A Cordatis team consisting of Norah Molnar, Josh Schnell, and Jason Moy are representing an Afghan contractor in a U.S. Court of Federal Claims case that raises issues of first impression under the Reciprocity Act.
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Cordatis wins protest over multi-million dollar bomb detection contract

Daniel Strouse and Josh Schnell recently persuaded the U.S. Court of Federal Claims that a Cordatis client should keep its recently awarded contract to provide bomb detection services to the U.S. Postal Service.
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Josh Schnell Discusses the False Claims Act with the Washington Business Journal

Partner Josh Schnell was quoted in a Washington Business Journal Article about the False Claims Act and the Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program.  
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Cordatis helps maintain critical (ahem bathroom) services in National Parks

Josh Schnell successfully defended our client's award of National Park Service in a post-award GAO protest.  The victory was especially important because it allowed our client--the incumbent contractor--to continue providing critical janitorial services at NPS sites throughout Northern California.  
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Cordatis obtains potentially precedent setting decision for disabled veterans

Partner Josh Schnell obtained a significant decision from the U.S. Court of Federal Claims that should help our client (a service-disabled veteran) and other service members obtain compensation for injuries they incur serving our county.

Areas of Specialization

Education

J.D., Tulane University Law School

  • Editor-in-Chief, Tulane Environmental Law Journal

University of Oslo Law School

  • Fulbright Fellow

B.S.M., Tulane University

Bar & Court AdmissionsVirginia
Washington, D.C.
New York
New Jersey
United States Supreme Court
U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Fourth Circuit, Tenth Circuit, and Federal Circuit
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. District Courts for the District of Columbia, Eastern District of Virginia, and Western District of Virginia

Leadership & Community InvolvementVice-Chair, American Bar Association (ABA) Grant Law Committee
Past Vice-Chair, ABA Disputes and Claims Committee
Past Vice-Char, ABA Small Business Committee
Federal Circuit Bar Association
Court of Federal Claims Bar Association
Arlington County Bar Association
Fairfax County Bar Association
Prior ExperienceU.S. Department of Justice
U.S Department of Agriculture
U.S. Small Business Administration

Big Firm Experience – Small Firm Value

Serving the government contracting community since 1979

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