Supply Chain Management
MLA’s SCM team, headed by San Diego-based Managing Director Douglas Farry, former Senior Policy Advisor to House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX), helps businesses understand the opportunities and impact of supply chain management, and shows clients how to help shape the legislative landscape for the use of these technologies in their industry. Our team brings together the capabilities of our Government Affairs, Government Contracts, and Intellectual Property practices to offer clients strategic business, government affairs and legal advice in SCM technology creation, development, procurement, use, and application.
The U.S. government continues to look at advancements in technology that will protect citizens, and streamline operations to increase global competitiveness. MLA attorneys work with SCM users and providers to offer advice on the increasing numbers of federal and state policy initiatives and the possible effects on this growing industry.
Our attorneys and public policy advisors, along with an experienced team of government affairs professionals, combine the strength, experience and presence of a highly regarded law firm that not only monitors regulations, but also helps to shape legislation.
A few examples include: Doug Farry’s participation in the negotiations on the USA Patriot Act, and Ray Biagini’s role in authoring the first draft of the SAFETY Act, a part of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which protects companies from tort lawsuits arising out of the sale of homeland security products and services. We know how elected and appointed officials view the world today. Members of the team have served in senior government positions in key agencies and work closely with primary agencies in charge of the procurement efforts, including the Department of Defense, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Transportation, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Commerce, Government Accountability Office, and many more.
MLA is recognized as having one of the oldest and largest government contracts practices in the U.S. Our clients include public and private entities, and range from the most established defense contractors, to commercial companies trying to enter the government market for the first time. Our team regularly works with companies to develop proposals and bid for federal government procurement, and can advise on all aspects of contracting law. MLA’s Intellectual Property team understands all aspects of the design and manufacturing of SCM technology, regularly counseling companies on patent procurement and litigation, and helping companies with the newly formed RFID licensing consortium. As a result, MLA is ideally suited to advise new clients on the design, manufacture, and implementation of SCM technologies as well as the legal implications stemming from government and private sector mandated usage and implementation of technology.
The use of SCM technology is growing within the homeland security industry, bringing increasing regulation and raising privacy concerns. We are currently monitoring and advising our clients and industry/trade contacts in the following areas:
- SCM government procurement
- Privacy concerns and information management
- Supply chain logistics — dynamics and liability
- Public-private partnerships
- Commercial law and general contracting
- New EU regulatory affairs
- HR issues relating to RFID use in the workplace
To stay current on the latest SCM-related matters, please access MLA’s RFID Law Blog at http://rfidlawblog.mckennalong.com/. The blog provides information and commentary on a number of legislative initiatives linked to the use of SCM technology, and is recommend reading for SCM public-policy makers, technology providers, and end users.