Photo of Paul Ney

Paul Ney is a partner in the firm’s Government Enforcement & Investigations Practice Group. Paul previously served as head of the National Security Council’s Office of Legal Affairs, as deputy assistant to the president, as deputy White House counsel, and as principal advisor to the president for National Security Affairs. In addition to his government service, he is a registered patent attorney who handled a range of IP litigation matters in private practice.

On January 7, 2026, the Trump administration issued Executive Order 14372 entitled “Prioritizing the Warfighter in Defense Contracting.” The order marks a decisive shift in federal defense procurement policy: Production performance and readiness now take precedence over shareholder returns for major contractors. It introduces prohibitions on stock buybacks and dividends during periods of underperformance, accelerates