John Farenish is a partner in Venable's Government Contracts group focusing on federal, state and local procurement law. He counsels and represents clients on the applicability and interpretation of government contract-related case law, federal procurement statutes, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and the Cost Accounting Standards.
Mr. Farenish has more than 30 years of experience in various regulatory, compliance and prosecutorial capacities with the federal government, beginning with the Army's Judge Advocate General Corps and including seven years with the Department of the Navy. Prior to joining Venable, he spent 13 years serving with the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), starting as deputy general counsel before becoming general counsel in 2003. He also spent several years with the DoD's Inspector General's office handling criminal matters related to federal acquisition policy.
Mr. Farenish has written and lectured extensively on aspects of government contracting work, including ethics, compliance, criminal investigations, and the conditions for contractor suspension and debarment.
A 1972 graduate of Villanova University, Mr. Farenish earned his J.D. from Delaware Law School of Widener University in 1976. He was awarded a Master's Degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College in 2002 and completed education programs at the Combined Arms Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College, and through the Judge Advocate General Basic and Advanced Courses. Mr. Farenish also graduated from the Federal Executive Institute, a government leadership and training program.
Significant Matters
During his career, Mr. Farenish was instrumental in two major fraud recoveries for the government for $88 million and $132 million. As a result of his work in the area of fraud, Mr. Farenish was selected as the recipient of the 1999 Creekmore Chair awarded by the Judge Advocate General's Learning Center and School. In 2008, the Office of Government Ethics awarded the Defense Contract Audit Agency the Outstanding Ethics Program award as a result of Mr. Farenish's efforts.
Activities
Mr. Farenish has been awarded numerous awards during his 30-year career as a civilian and in the Army Reserve including: the SES Exceptional Results award; Outstanding Performance award; Superior Performance award; Superior Civilian Service award; and during his military service: the Legion of Merit; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Joint Service Meritorious Service Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Overseas Training Medal; and the Army Service Medal. He also received a Rotary International Group Study Exchange Award in 1978.
Industries
Government Contractors
Government Experience
General Counsel, Defense Contract Audit Agency, Department of Defense
Counsel, Procurement Integrity Office, Department of the Navy
Legal Remedies/Contract Law Advisor, Department of Defense Inspector General
Contract Law Advisor, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command
Special Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps
Memberships
American Bar Association
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve (Retired)
News
March 7, 2012, John Farenish quoted in Law360 on DOD rule authorizing audit-based withholdings from contractors
February 6, 2012, John Farenish quoted in Law360 on appropriations act's impact on contractor suspensions
January 25, 2012, John Farenish quoted in Congressional Quarterly on move to Venable
January 3, 2012, John Farenish's move to Venable featured in Legal Bisnow
December 7, 2011, John Farenish's move to Venable continues to draw coverage
December 6, 2011, Multiple publications feature John Farenish's move to Venable
December 2, 2011, John Farenish, Former General Counsel of Dept of Defense Contract Audit Agency, Joins Venable's Government Contracts Group
Publications
February 2012, DCAA's Access to and Use of Defense Company Internal Audit Reports
John M. Farenish, Paul A. Debolt, J. Scott Hommer, III
Government Contracts Update
Events/Speaking Engagements
Mr. Farenish was selected as the 1999 Creekmore Lecturer, Government Contract Law Symposium (The Army Judge Advocate General School) in recognition of experience in contractor fraud.
He is a frequent speaker at the American Bar Association Annual Conference, Public Contract Law Section, the American Bar Association Federal Procurement Institute, National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, the Defense Industry Initiatives (DII), and Association of Government Accountants. He has presented at the Navy Office of General Counsel, East/West Coast Conferences, Naval Criminal Investigative Service Journeyman's Conference East/West Coast Conferences, Defense Criminal Investigative Service In-Service Conferences. Mr. Farenish was also a guest lecturer and lead professor at the Judge Advocate General's Learning Center and School and lecturer at the Annual Contract Conference at United Technologies and Litton Industries.
Past Events
May 23, 2012, WMACCA Government Contractors Forum: The Key Word is 'More'
J. Scott Hommer, III, John M. Farenish
March 12, 2012 - March 13, 2012, Audits, Investigations and Sequestration! Oh My!
J. Scott Hommer, III, John F. Cooney, Paul A. Debolt, John M. Farenish
January 26, 2012, Presentation, "DCAA Initiatives and audit issues; welcome to the brave new world of DCAA auditing/What are the DCAA audit initiatives and how the contractor will be impacted," SAIC Contract Practice Group
John M. Farenish
January 25, 2012, Presentation, "DCAA Audit initiatives and audit issues; how the contractor will be impacted and how to respond/Top 10 Survival Tips for General Counsels," ExecutiveBiz 4X24 General Counsel Group
John M. Farenish