Jennifer Higgins SBA Lawyer & Small Business Litigation Attorney

Jennifer Higgins SBA Lawyer & Small Business Litigation AttorneyOf Counsel to Watson & Associates, LLC: Jennifer Higgins brings a wealth of experience in government procurement and small business law to Watson & Associates. As a former SBA lawyer, and senior attorney for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), she offers clients a deep understanding of federal regulations and the inner workings of government agencies. Her background in both federal service and private practice makes her a valuable asset to the firm’s government procurement practice and contractor litigation team.
Jennifer advises government contractors and commercial businesses on a wide range of federal procurement matters. She has the actual background to assist with  navigating issues and disputes related to eligibility for, and continued participation in, small business programs such as SBA’s 8(a) BD, SDVOSB, WOSB, and HUBZone programs and the VA’s VetBiz VIP program.
She also represents clients in actions before the SBA and OHA. She also counsels federal contractors on FAR and small business regulation compliance, which includes auditing clients for potential size and affiliation issues.
As Of Counsel to Watson & Associates, LLC, Jennifer is instrumental in the firm’s government procurement practice, focusing on SBA regulations, False Claims Act, PPP fraud, and matters pertaining to small businesses, as well as contractor litigation (both white collar criminal and civil).
Her experience as a former SBA attorney aligns with the firm’s emphasis on attorneys with federal agency experience, enhancing the firm’s capabilities in representing clients in complex government contract matters.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Experience

From 2016 to 2020, Jennifer served as a senior attorney at the U.S. Small Business Administration. In this role, she was the singular point of contact for loan contract matters, communicating with borrowers on all legal and business issues. She drafted a wide range of commercial agreements, including contracts, promissory notes, and UCC filings, and created a database of approved document templates for agency-wide use. Her work ensured strict compliance with relevant state and federal laws and governmental policies.

Federal Procurement, Small Business, Civil Litigation Attorney, and SBA Lawyer

In addition to being an SBA Lawyer, Jennifer also serves as the firm’s go-to alternate for government contract matters related to SBA rules and litigation regarding FAR regulations and SBA compliance. Her background enables her to consult with the firm’s clients on white-collar False Claims Act cases arising from SBA small business programs, False Claims Act matters related to FAR flow-down clauses, SCA compliance, and various prime-subcontracting issues involving federal government contracts.

Complex Civil Litigation

Jennifer counsels clients on a wide range of complex corporate legal and regulatory matters, including (1) claims against the federal government; (ii) commercial and contractual disputes; (iii) government investigations and compliance audits; (iv) SBA fraud; and (v) Service Contract Act, flow down clauses, including joint ventures, operating agreements, and the impact to corporations.

Jennifer represents government contractors interested in pursuing set-aside opportunities under SBA’s small business programs—the 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, and All Small Mentor-Protégé Program. As a season SBA lawyer,she advises prime and subcontractors on teaming, joint ventures, and strategies to defend awards from size status protests, and allegations of fraud in federal contracting. Jennifer also assists firms in complying with the FAR and rules applicable to all small business contracting programs.  

Practice Areas

Jennifer’s practice focuses on:
  • Government Procurement
  • SBA Regulations
  • SBA Size Protests
  • OHA Litigation and Appeals
  • Civil litigation involving complex prime and subcontracting disputes, government contracting matters
  • Small Business Law
  • Contractor Litigation (White Collar and Civil)
  • SBA PPP loan fraud matters
  • Corporate Agreements

Bar Admissions

  • Texas

Professional Experience

2023-Present: Attorney, J.N. Higgins Law
2020-2023: Document Review Attorney, Level Legal
2016-2020: Senior Attorney, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
2014-2015: Legislative Session Aide, Texas House of Representatives

Education

  • Juris Doctorate, Baylor University School of Law (2014)
  • B.A. in Government and Economics, The University of Texas at Austin (2011)
If you are a government contractor or small business owner seeking legal guidance on SBA regulations, procurement matters, or litigation, or call her at 1.866.601.5518.