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Alex Thomson

Alex Thomson is an associate in the firm’s Washington, DC office and is a member of the White Collar Defense and Investigations and Institutional Culture and Social Responsibility Practice Groups. He has extensive experience conducting civil rights and racial equity assessments for leading corporations, investigating workplace cultural issues including reports of misconduct, harassment, and discrimination, and advising clients on the lawful design and implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion processes and practices.

Alex also advises clients responding to high-profile investigations before the Department of Justice that entail significant legal and reputational risks. His practice focuses on white collar criminal defense and government and internal investigations.

Alex serves on the Board of Directors for the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the leading global Jewish humanitarian organization. Prior to joining Covington, Alex served as a law clerk to the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary and was a fundraiser for the Jewish Federation of Boston. He also has served on national finance committees for two presidential campaigns.

Contact:Read more about Alex ThomsonEmail

On May 29, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”), together with several other federal agencies, published a proposed rule that would fundamentally change many aspects of the regulations in 2 CFR Part 200 governing federal financial assistance awards, including grants, cooperative agreements, loans, and loan guarantees.  The comment period will be underway until July 13.

The 412 page proposed rule states that it is aimed at increasing transparency, accountability, and oversight in federal financial assistance.  It provides examples of “the types of wasteful spending” that it is meant to target, including recipients “potentially misus[ing] funds to provide services for illegal immigrants.”

While the proposed rule contains numerous changes, this post highlights some of the most notable.

Continue Reading Proposed Rule Would Fundamentally Impact Federal Grant and Financial Assistance Framework

On March 26, 2026, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) titled “Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors,” the latest in a series of Executive Orders and related actions by the Administration targeting what it views as unlawful Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) related practices.  Most notable about…

Continue Reading New “Addressing DEI Discrimination” Executive Order: What Federal Contractors Need to Know

On February 18, 2026, the General Services Administration (“GSA”) issued a proposed revision to the certifications that federal financial assistance recipients or applicants must make in order to register in the System for Award Management (“SAM”), adding certifications related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs; immigration; and national security.  The proposed revision also addresses applicability in the event of an active injunction.  Public comment is due by March 30, 2026.

Continue Reading GSA Proposes New SAM Certification Language for Federal Funding Recipients Addressing DEI, Immigration, and National Security

On July 29, 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memorandum titled “Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination.”  The memorandum purports to offer “guidance” and “Best Practices” to recipients of federal funding, including “non-binding suggestions to help entities comply with federal antidiscrimination laws and avoid legal pitfalls.” …

Continue Reading DOJ Issues Memorandum for Federal Funding Recipients Addressing“Unlawful Discrimination” Practices

On March 29, United States embassies across Europe began sending letters and an accompanying “Certification regarding compliance with applicable federal anti-discrimination law” to companies in Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and Spain.  This certification purports to apply Executive Order (“EO”) 14173 (“Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity”) to U.S. government suppliers and contractors based in Europe “regardless of their nationality and the country in which they operate.”  As we wrote in a prior alert, the Trump administration intends for EO 14173 to end what it considers to be “illegal preferences and discrimination” including those “under the guise of so-called ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (DEI) or ‘diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility’ (DEIA)” programs by prescribing required provisions for federal contracts. 

Continue Reading European Companies Wrestle with U.S. Government’s Anti-DEI Push