Haynes Boone Senior Counsel John Pachter and his wife, Ilene, have endowed a new scholarship at GW Law, aimed at expanding access to legal education and supporting the next generation of government contracts lawyers.
In a recent conversation with the law school, Pachter reflected on his decades-long career in government contracts law, the mentors and milestones that shaped his career and the values that guided his work.
Read an excerpt from the Q&A below.
You have remained closely connected to GW Law over the decades, including service on the Dean’s Advisory Council on Government Contracts and as a Professorial Lecturer in Law. How has the Government Procurement Law Program changed since you were a student, and what aspects of the program’s evolution are you most proud of?
(1) specialized course offerings to undergraduate as well as graduate students; (2) addition of adjuncts who offer students a practical perspective; (3) nurturing of students in the career process; and (4) writing opportunities on the student-led journal. All of these factors, plus the availability of summer internships, combine to position graduates better for successful careers. In my student days, the program was outstanding for its time, but today it offers a more enriching experience.
You recently endowed the John and Ilene Pachter Scholarship at GW Law for students interested in government procurement. What motivated you to create this scholarship, and why did you choose GW Law as the place to invest in the next generation of government contracts professionals?
I cannot imagine what my life would have been like without my GW law education. … My GW Law education has opened doors of opportunity I could only have dreamed about. … The cost of a legal education today is forbidding to many. Ilene and I want to do our part to make it possible for motivated students to have the opportunity to succeed in the field of procurement law.
You have been closely involved with GW Law’s Government Procurement Law Program over the years. Could you share a bit about that involvement and how your work with the program has influenced you?
The test of how well you know a subject is whether you can teach it. I worked with Professor Chris Yukins to design and co-teach a course in Debarment and Suspension. I drew on my experience in ethics and compliance, in representing companies and individuals in debarment matters, and in assignments as an independent monitor. I co-authored a chapter entitled “U.S. Debarment: An Introduction” for the Cambridge Handbook of Compliance. … My role as a Professorial Lecturer led to an invitation to appear on a panel at King’s College, London, on international compliance issues. …
I’ve also enjoyed my association with the other members of the Dean’s Advisory Council. All of this, I trust, has benefited the law school and its students, and it has certainly been rewarding to me.
Many students can feel intimidated by the technical aspects of government contracts, whether related to cost principles, compliance, or litigation strategy. What advice would you give to students or junior attorneys who may be hesitant to dive into this area?
Take it one step at a time. Master each assignment and broaden your knowledge of the subject. Understand your client’s business. Become a specialist in the client’s problems. No one expects you to become an expert overnight, but young associates are enthusiastic and eager to learn, and they often bring a fresh approach which makes them valuable.
Read the full article on GW Law here.
