What does it take to guide defense technology companies through the most significant industry disruption in three decades? Meet Charlie Katz, Managing Partner of King & Spalding's Northern Virginia office, whose unique position advising both traditional government contractors and venture-backed defense tech disruptors provides unparalleled insight into the seismic shifts reshaping the $800+ billion defense market.
Katz joins DMV Rising 2025's "Defense Tech Disruption: The Last Supper is Over" panel, bringing decades of experience helping companies navigate the complex intersection of innovation, capital, and national security.
Three reasons Katz is uniquely positioned to illuminate the defense tech transformation:
1. He's been at the negotiating table for both sides of the disruption. With deep expertise in M&A, private equity, and venture capital transactions, Katz has represented the full spectrum of players, from established prime contractors to emerging growth companies challenging the status quo. His work spans bidders and targets, private equity groups and management teams, giving him a 360-degree view of how traditional and non-traditional defense players compete, collaborate, and sometimes collide.
2. He brings unmatched credibility in the technology and government contracting sectors. Ranked as a top Corporate/M&A lawyer by Chambers USA since 2008 and recognized by Legal 500 as "an exceptional emerging company lawyer," Katz is specifically highlighted for his expertise in government contracting deals and technology businesses. One Chambers reviewer described him as "technically brilliant" and "well known in the market," exactly the reputation needed when advising companies disrupting entrenched industry dynamics.
3. He understands the full lifecycle of defense innovation. From initial venture funding to IPOs, from strategic investments to cross-border transactions, Katz has guided companies through every phase of growth. This comprehensive perspective is crucial as new defense tech players navigate the unique challenges of scaling in a highly regulated, capital-intensive market while competing against incumbents with decades-old relationships.
Why This Matters for the DMV
The Northern Virginia region sits at the epicenter of America's defense industrial transformation. As home to both traditional prime contractors and the emerging defense tech ecosystem, the DMV is where old and new defense paradigms collide daily. King & Spalding, with its platform of 1,300+ lawyers across 25 global offices, plays a pivotal role in shaping these dynamics—helping companies advance complex business interests in over 160 countries while navigating the increasingly blurred lines between commercial technology and national security.
Katz's position managing King & Spalding's NoVa office places him at the heart of deals that are redefining how America builds its defense capabilities. His work with both financially distressed traditional contractors and high-growth venture-backed disruptors provides unique visibility into which business models will thrive as the Department of Defense evolves its acquisition strategies to prioritize speed, software, and adaptability.
The "Defense Tech Disruption" panel will explore how companies like Anduril and Govini are challenging the five remaining defense primes that emerged from 1993's consolidation mandate. Katz will share insights alongside Seanna Senior (Govini) and Jennifer Bird (Anduril), with moderation by Vikram Singh (WestExec Advisors).
Don't miss your chance to hear from the legal architect behind many of the deals reshaping America's defense industrial base.
