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Stephen L. Bacon

Shareholder

Executive Summary

Mr. Bacon is focused on helping clients achieve their business goals by efficiently resolving disputes and navigating the complex web of laws and regulations that apply to government contractors. He understands how to effectively litigate claims and bid protests against the government when that is necessary, but he also appreciates how to strategically avoid disputes and compliance issues before they threaten to undermine business objectives. While Mr. Bacon’s work concentrates on government contract-related controversies, he frequently represents clients in construction matters and other commercial contract disputes. He is a core member of the firm's Chambers-ranked Government Contracts and Construction practice groups.

Professional Qualifications

Mr. Bacon has significant experience representing contractors in a broad range of disputes before the Court of Federal Claims, the Boards of Contract Appeals, and the Government Accountability Office, among other venues. Prior to joining RJO, Mr. Bacon served as a Trial Attorney for the Navy where he was responsible for defending claims against the government. In his current practice, he represents contractors in a variety of matters including constructive change claims, terminations, high-stakes bid protests, investigations and suspension and debarment proceedings.

Mr. Bacon assists companies in a diverse array of industries including aerospace and defense, major construction, and information technology. He has litigated complex claims under a multi-billion dollar nuclear construction contract, prepared requests for equitable adjustment under a cutting-edge weapons system development contract and prosecuted bid protests involving groundbreaking cloud computing contracts. Mr. Bacon has helped clients avoid proposed debarment, fend off terminations for default, defend False Claims Act investigations and successfully prosecute and oppose protests.  He also has experience litigating intellectual property, commercial contract and employment disputes between private parties.

Mr. Bacon draws on his extensive litigation background to provide advice and compliance counseling on key issues that confront government contractors. He knows that contractors are most effective if they can minimize risk and avoid debilitating and costly disputes, investigations and enforcement actions. With that goal in mind, Mr. Bacon assists clients with teaming and subcontract negotiations, data rights and software licensing issues, business ethics and compliance, small business size and affiliation rules, and emerging cybersecurity regulations.

An active member of the Public Contract Law Section of the American Bar Association, Mr. Bacon serves as a Co-Chair of the Section’s influential Contract Claims and Disputes Resolution Committee. He is a member of the GovConnects Advisory Council for the Howard County, Maryland Chamber of Commerce, which supports the growth of government contractors in Howard County and the surrounding area where Mr. Bacon resides.

Mr. Bacon was recognized as one of the top litigators under 40 by being named to Benchmark Litigation’s U.S. 40 & Under List in 2024.

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