In October, 45 students from the GW Law Government Procurement Law Program visited Lockheed Martin's Global Vision Center in Crystal City, Virginia for a unique experience where they met with senior Lockheed Martin attorneys and executives, and participated in interactive tours of several product demonstration centers. The gathering offered the students an opportunity to learn what it's like to be in-house counsel for a large aerospace and global security company.
The day began with a warm welcome from Beth Kramer, JD '95, Lockheed Martin associate general counsel for environmental, safety, and health law and member of the GW Law Government Contracts Advisory Council. The students then heard from Lockheed Martin attorneys about their career paths and individual practice areas such as intellectual property, government contracts, cybersecurity, and government affairs.
"This was an unparalleled experience for our students," said Jessica Tillipman, Assistant Dean for Government Procurement Law Studies. "Not only were they able to spend the day learning from Lockheed Martin's attorneys, but they were also treated to an incredible tour of the company's demonstration centers."
The students had the opportunity to meet Maryanne Lavan, Lockheed Martin's senior vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary. She described her career journey, provided advice to students on how to develop their legal careers, and encouraged them to pay it forward by providing mentorship to the next generation of future lawyers.
"At Lockheed Martin, we embrace a culture of continous growth and use new ways of learning to stay ready for what's ahead," said Lavan. "I encourage law students to obtain a diverse set of experiences as there is no one-size-fits-all career path to become a government contracts lawyer, and government contractors require a cadre of lawyers who are multifaceted with diverse specialties."
The students enjoyed guided tours of the Lockheed Martin Global Vision Center, which highlights corporation's focused on global security, commercial markets, and scientific discovery.
In the Fighter Demonstration Center, students learned about Lockheed Martin's two 5th generation fighter aircraft - the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter and F-22 Raptor. Students climbed into a cockpit of the aircraft simulator to experience what it is like to fly in the ubiquitous fighter jet.
Students also toured the Rotary Wing Innovation Center learning about Lockheed Martin's advanced technologies and performance in rotary wing aviation and mission systems. The team was able to fly in a CH-53K helicopter simulator.
Rounding out the tour, the students visited the Space Experience Center, where they learned about the critical role space plays in their everyday lives and how space technology is used in a wide variety of civil, scientific, commercial and military operations.
The day concluded with a panel discussion about "Lawyering at Lockheed Martin," where students learned about the sophisticated legal issues, practical challenges, and dynamic opportunities available to in-house attorneys.
"This was truly an 'only at GW Law' experience that has enhanced our students' government procurement education in an unprecedented way," said Dean Tillipman. "We are grateful for Lockheed Martin's hospitality and its longstanding support of our students and the Government Procurement Law Program."
