Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies (CPS), the government and public affairs affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today announced Tamara Hinton has signed on to lead its fast-growing strategic communications practice.
Jeff focuses his practice on strategic and operational matters affecting the United States maritime industry and on government contracts across all industries. In the maritime space, Jeff routinely represents ocean carriers and maritime stakeholders in regulatory and financial matters before the Maritime Administration (MARAD), Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM). He provides counsel on a wide range of federal maritime programs, including the Maritime Security Program (MSP), Cargo Preference, Title XI Federal Ship Financing Program, Capital Construction Fund (CCF), Construction Reserve Fund (CRF), and Deepwater Ports licensing. He regularly advises vessel operators regarding regulatory and contractual issues arising under the Jones Act, Passenger Vessel Services Act, Dredging Statute, and American Fisheries Act (AFA), ensuring compliance with U.S. citizenship and vessel documentation requirements in complex financing transactions.
In his government contracts practice, Jeff represents clients in a range of industries, including aviation, defense, engineering, health care, information technology, maritime, security services, and translation services. He has successfully prosecuted and defended bid protests before defense and civilian agencies, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), state courts, and local appellate public contract tribunals. He routinely counsels businesses on compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), executive orders, Small Business Administration (SBA), statutory, and regulatory provisions incorporated into each federal contract. He also guides buyers and sellers through the M&A process by conducting due diligence to assess risk associated with the acquisition or sale of government contractors, negotiating appropriate protections, and obtaining mandatory government approval and contract novations.
Prior to joining the firm, Jeff worked at MARAD as the acting assistant chief counsel for Maritime Programs and lead attorney for Maritime Support Programs, where he led a team of attorneys overseeing all legal aspects of MARAD’s national security and financial programs.
Jeff earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, and his law degree and Master of Arts in Marine Affairs and Policy from the University of Miami. He was also the first MARAD attorney ever selected to attend the United States Naval War College, where he earned a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies.