2025 In-House Counsel Awards: Matthew J. Madalo

Number of years with firm: 5.5

Law school: Santa Clara University (2002)

Legal leadership: I’m an adjunct professor at Catholic University School of Law and a member of the D.C. Bar Association’s Government Contracts Steering Committee.

Pro bono work/community or civil involvement: I began my career working for the Sacramento County Public Defender’s office from 2003-2004 and then did court-appointed California Sixth District Appellate Advocacy work.

Awards/accolades: I’m a member of the US Supreme Court Bar and served on the Santa Clara Law Review, where I published two articles.

On my identity/background: Prior to joining SGT in 2020, I served as legal counsel and director of contracts management for Rapiscan Systems, Inc. In this role, I led an international contracts team that included a specialized focus on U.S. government contracts and Federal Acquisition Regulations pertaining to commercial item procurements, negotiation, and contract cost principles. In earlier career positions as senior legal counsel for three different organizations, I developed and implemented companywide U.S. government contract compliance programs and associated policies and procedures. While supporting the Office of the Chief Counsel for the Transportation Security Administration, I worked on aviation security regulations and policy, including complex international agreements with foreign governments governing technical assistance and cooperation.

Most pressing issue that IHCs face: Balancing business and compliance issues within a company.
Evolution of the IHC position: It is important for GCs to handle more business issues and not solely legal matters.