Deputy Counsel, Naval Sea Systems Command

Charles L. Bidwell

Mr. Charles L. Bidwell is the Deputy Counsel at the Naval Sea Systems Command. In collaboration with the Counsel, he delivers legal advice to the senior leadership of the Command and its five affiliated program executive offices. He also manages the Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Counsel, which includes over 150 attorneys and staff across the nation. Mr. Bidwell entered the Senior Executive Service, in this position, in September 2010.

Mr. Bidwell began his legal career in September 1991, as an associate at the law firm of McKenna & Cuneo, in Washington, D.C., where he practiced government contract law and litigation. In February 1995, he joined the Department of the Navy Office of the General Counsel as a program attorney at the Naval Air Systems Command. In October 2001, he transferred to the Department of Defense Office of General Counsel as an Associate General Counsel (Acquisition & Logistics), responsible for advising the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) and staff regarding major weapon systems programs and other acquisition matters. Mr. Bidwell returned to the Department of the Navy Office of the General Counsel in April 2006, as the Assistant to the Deputy General Counsel. In July 2007, he joined the Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Counsel as the Head of the Systems Section. Mr. Bidwell was selected as the Deputy Assistant General Counsel (Research, Development and Acquisition) in January 2010. In this capacity, he advised the Department of the Navy’s Senior Procurement Executive and staff regarding the full range of acquisition issues.

Mr. Bidwell received a bachelor of arts degree in history from Yale University in 1986, and a juris doctor degree from the New York University School of Law in 1991. He received the Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Award in 2006, and the Department of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award in 2009. He is a member of the State Bar of California and the District of Columbia Bar.