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Stephen L. Bacon

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Executive Summary

Stephen Bacon helps government contractors make sound decisions when disputes with the government put revenue, relationships and future opportunities at stake. His practice centers on high-stakes bid protests and contract disputes where judgment about whether, when and how to escalate plays a critical role in shaping outcomes that matter to the business. Mr. Bacon draws on years of experience litigating government contract disputes, helping clients pursue protests and claims when necessary while avoiding escalation that does not serve their business objectives. He advises contractors on how to navigate complex procurement rules in ways that support growth, manage risk and preserve long-term relationships with agency customers. Mr. Bacon is a core member of the firm’s Chambers ranked Government Contracts and Construction Practice Groups.

Professional Qualifications

Mr. Bacon represents contractors in disputes before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the Government Accountability Office and the Boards of Contract Appeals. His experience includes constructive change and termination claims, high-stakes bid protests, investigations, and suspension and debarment proceedings.

Before joining Rogers Joseph O’Donnell, Mr. Bacon served as a Trial Attorney for the U.S. Navy, where he defended the government in contract litigation. That experience informs his approach today. He anticipates how agencies evaluate risk, defend procurement decisions and respond under litigation pressure, allowing him to help clients manage disputes strategically and avoid unforced errors.

Mr. Bacon has represented contractors across a range of industries, including aerospace and defense, information technology and major construction. His matters have included litigation under a multi-billion-dollar nuclear construction contract, claims under advanced weapons system development contracts, and nationally significant bid protests involving enterprise cloud computing contracts. He has also helped clients avoid proposed debarment, defend against terminations for default and respond to allegations of fraud under the False Claims Act.

Beyond litigation, Mr. Bacon advises government contractors on how procurement rules affect real-world business decisions. His counseling focuses on helping clients proactively manage risk, structure teaming relationships effectively and avoid compliance issues that later turn into costly disputes.

Mr. Bacon is an active member of the Public Contract Law Section of the American Bar Association and serves as Co-Chair of the Section’s Contract Claims and Disputes Resolution Committee. In 2024, he was nationally recognized by Benchmark Litigation as one of the top litigators under 40.

Education

J.D., University of Miami School of Law
Summa Cum Laude
Editor, University of Miami Law Review

B.S., University of Maryland, College Park

Bar Admissions

Maryland

District of Columbia

San Francisco, CA
  • Robert Dollar Building
    311 California Street, 10th Floor
    San Francisco, CA 94104-2695
  • Phone: 415.956.2828
  • Fax: 415.956.6457
Washington, DC
  • 1500 K Street, NW, Suite 800
    Washington DC 20005-1227
  • Phone: 202.777.8950
  • Fax: 202.347.8429