Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has made Michael DeBernardis vice president and chief counsel of its Mission Technologies division to oversee legal strategy for the defense contractor’s fast-growing national security business.
HII announced Tuesday that DeBernardis will advise senior management and oversee the delivery of legal services across the business in his new role. Mission Technologies provides national security capabilities spanning defense, intelligence, cyber, unmanned systems, logistics, fleet sustainment, training and nuclear services.
DeBernardis most recently served as managing partner of Hughes Hubbard & Reed’s Washington, D.C. office and chaired the firm’s Global Investigations, Enforcement and Compliance practice. During nearly two decades in private practice, he advised multinational corporations, government contractors and other organizations on compliance, governance and internal investigations, representing clients before the Justice Department, Securities and Exchange Commission, Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations and international development institutions.
In announcing the appointment, Andy Green, HII executive vice president and president of Mission Technologies, said DeBernardis’ background in investigations, regulatory matters and corporate governance would strengthen the division as it continues to expand its portfolio of defense and national security work.
The appointment comes as Mission Technologies continues to grow its presence across advanced defense markets, including nuclear services. The McLean, Va.-based division employs more than 7,000 people at more than 100 facilities worldwide and serves U.S. government, allied and commercial customers.
DeBernardis earned his law degree from George Washington University Law School and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Delaware.