Elizabeth N. Jochum

Biography

Elizabeth Jochum is an experienced litigator and counselor who represents government contractors in bid protests before the U.S. Government Accountability Office as well as the U.S. Court of Federal Claims; appeals before the Armed Services and Civilian Boards of Contract Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; and size protests, determinations, and appeals before the Small Business Administration.

Legal 500 United States shares client feedback stating, “Elizabeth Jochum is my go-to partner on all government contracts matters. She has been an extended element of my legal team for years, and I trust her sensibility and practical advice more than any other outside counsel.”

Elizabeth helps clients navigate the complex world of government contracts regulatory compliance to achieve their business goals. She counsels prime contractors and subcontractors on internal controls and ethics policies, changes and claim preparation, due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, and enforcement defense. She frequently assists small and large contractors in their strategic teaming efforts, including drafting and negotiating teaming agreements and subcontracts and forming mentor-protégé arrangements and related joint ventures.

She represents corporations and individuals in regulatory, investigative, and trial matters involving potential civil or criminal fraud liability, including U.S. Department of Justice and Inspector General investigations, False Claims Act and procurement fraud investigations, compliance counseling, mandatory and voluntary disclosure matters, and internal investigations.

While attending law school, she worked as an intern for Court of Federal Claims Judge Susan Braden and for the Office of General Counsel in the U.S. General Services Administration. Prior to law school, Elizabeth covered government contracts as a reporter for Government Executive magazine.

In addition to her regular blog series analyzing bid protest decisions, “60-Second Sustains,” Elizabeth is a frequent writer, speaker, and presenter for leading industry publications and events.

Experience

  • Represented contractors in well over a hundred bid protests, before all major protest forums, including procuring agencies, the Government Accountability Office, and the Court of Federal Claims, as well as in protests at the state and local level. Frequently defends contract awards on behalf of intervenors and is successful in obtaining sustained decisions and corrective action on behalf of protesters. 
  • Established government contracts compliance programs for several large commercial companies upon entering the federal marketplace.
  • Drafted mentor-protégé agreements for Small Business Administration approval, along with joint venture agreements and operating agreements to allow mentor and protégé firms to bid as joint ventures.

News & Views

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Recognitions

  • 2024, Government Contracts Law, listed in Chambers USA
  • 2023–2024, listed in The Legal 500 United States
  • 2023, “They’ve Got Next: Five Fresh Faces to Know in Government Contracts,” by Bloomberg Law
  • 2022, "D.C. Rising Star," listed in The National Law Journal
  • 2022, "Rising Star" in Government Contracts, listed in Law360
  • 2020, Emerging Women Leaders in the Law, listed in DCA Live

Affiliations

Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Women's White Collar Defense Association
Professional Activities

Elizabeth is an active member of the American Bar Association, currently serving as co-chair of the Bid Protest Committee of the ABA Section of Public Contract Law. She is also an active member of the Procurement Fraud and False Claims Act Committee.

She serves as a member of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association Chapter Activities Team, working with WWCDA Chapters to organize events and maximize networking opportunities.

Elizabeth was elected to serve on the 2024 Law360 Government Contracts Editorial Advisory Board.

Credentials

Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Supreme Court of Virginia
  • U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Virginia
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • United States Court of Federal Claims
  • Virginia

Education

  • University of Virginia, BA
  • George Mason University School of Law, JD