Paul Hawkins practices in the firm’s General Commercial practice group specializing in government contracting. Paul helps government contractors win more business and navigate complex regulations with confidence representing clients at every stage of their business journey from assisting with corporate formation and governance issues to mergers and acquisitions and succession planning. As a recognized “Rising Star” in government contracts law by Virginia Super Lawyers, he combines deep legal knowledge with real-world military experience to deliver practical solutions that drive results.
Paul’s practice encompasses a broad range of services designed to support businesses throughout their lifecycle, with a particular focus on government contractors. He advises on corporate formation and governance, including structures tailored for government contracting needs. His experience includes guiding clients through strategic mergers, acquisitions, and succession planning, as well as structuring joint ventures and partnerships, including opportunities under the SBA All-Small Mentor-Protégé Program. Paul also helps businesses protect and grow their government contracting portfolios through bid and size protest representation, contract claims and appeals advocacy, and negotiation of subcontracts and teaming agreements. Additionally, he provides critical compliance and risk management counsel in areas such as Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) compliance, small business and socioeconomic set-aside programs, intellectual property and data rights protection, and security clearance and export control regulations.
Before joining Gentry Locke, Paul was a partner at a boutique firm specializing in government contracting and construction, where he developed a reputation for solving complex regulatory challenges and helping contractors win more business. Paul’s active-duty service as a U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer and continued service in the Navy Reserve—including multiple overseas deployments—provides invaluable insight into how government agencies think and operate. This military perspective gives his clients a distinct competitive edge, especially in the defense sector.
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Countries visited
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Wonderful boys
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Years of marriage to my amazing wife
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Total years of service in the Navy
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People would be surprised to know...
Growing up in Eastern North Carolina, I worked for two summers in high school on a tobacco farm. This was something that was very common in past generations but had become rarer even at the point when I was in high school. It was hot, hard manual work but was a lot of fun as I was able to work with friends from school and the community. Those experiences certainly help to form you and build character.
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If you had chosen a career other than law, what would you be doing?
I am particularly fortunate to say that I have had another career that I still get to participate in to an extent. I served on active duty as a US Navy Surface Warfare Officer and continue to serve in the Reserves. The military is a unique profession where the camaraderie and opportunity for adventure is second to none. It brought us to the Hampton Roads, Virginia area, which we now proudly call home. I am extremely thankful for the experience, benefits, and opportunities that service in the Navy has provided for me and my family.
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Do you like to travel?
Yes, my wife and I love to travel. My time in the Navy has blessed us with the ability to see a lot of the world. I have been able to travel extensively in Europe and the Middle East, and my wife and I particularly love all things Italy. With two small boys, we stay closer to home nowadays but hope soon to venture out more again and instill a wanderlust and sense of adventure in them as they grow older!
Education
- William & Mary Law School, J.D.
- East Carolina University, B.S. summa cum laude
Experience
- Guides government contractors through complex compliance challenges, providing strategic counsel on FAR and DFARS requirements during both proposal development and contract performance to minimize risk and maximize success.
- Represents clients in bid protest disputes and protects their interests before the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and U.S. Court of Federal Claims, while expertly navigating pre- and post-award debriefing processes to best advise clients on their rights and options in the contract award process.
- Represented clients in Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs) and contract claims under the Contract Disputes Act including successful advocacy before the Armed Services and Civilian Boards of Contract Appeals.
- Protects valuable intellectual property rights by providing sophisticated guidance on software and data rights compliance under FAR and DFARS, including in Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements.
- Maximizes small business contracting opportunities by structuring compliant corporate formations and ownership arrangements under SBA programs including 8(a) Business Development, Women-Owned, HUBZone, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned certifications.
- Structured dozens of profitable joint venture partnerships through expertly drafted and negotiated agreements under the SBA’s small business programs, including the All-Small Mentor Protégé Program, expanding clients’ competitive capabilities.
- Advised clients on compliance and data rights issues under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs including representing both buyers and sellers in “successor-in-interest” transactions under applicable SBIR/STTR program rules.
- Represented government contractor clients involved in mergers and acquisitions on both the buy and sell side advising on various due diligence, structuring, and compliance/notification requirements.
- Assisted clients through efficient navigation of the FAR’s complex novation process, protecting business continuity and contractual relationships.
- Built robust compliance frameworks for clients through development and implementation of comprehensive ethics and compliance programs tailored to government contracting requirements.
- Worked with clients to ensure full compliance with export control regulations, cybersecurity requirements, facility security protocols, and personnel clearance obligations.
Affiliations
- Incoming Chairman of the Board, Anchor Scholarship Foundation
- Board Member, Tidewater Association of Service Contractors
- Past Board Member, National Veteran Small Business Coalition, Mid-Atlantic Chapter
- Past Board Member, USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia
- Member, Virginia State Bar
Admissions
- Virginia State Bar
- Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Awards
- Virginia Business Magazine “Legal Elite” (2023, 2024)
- Virginia Super Lawyers “Rising Star, Government Contracts” (2024, 2025)
