Jessica R. Chao

Associate | She/Her/Hers

Overview

Jessica focuses on government investigations, mergers and acquisitions, ethics, and compliance supporting clients in government contracts transactions. In her practice, Jessica counsels and trains clients on Federal Acquisition Regulation issues, contracting fundamentals, and the False Claims Act.

Prior to joining the firm, Jessica clerked for the Honorable Lino S. Lipinsky de Orlov at the Colorado Court of Appeals. During law school, she was a legal extern at one of the world’s largest government contractors, specializing in procurement contract review and diligence.

In addition to a robust government contracts practice, Jessica serves as a board member, and Community Outreach Committee co-chair, for the Colorado Asian Pacific American Bar Association.

Career & Education

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    • University of Denver Sturm College of Law, J.D., Corporate and Commercial Law Certificate and Workplace Law Certificate
    • Pepperdine University, B.A., cum laude
    • University of Denver Sturm College of Law, J.D., Corporate and Commercial Law Certificate and Workplace Law Certificate
    • Pepperdine University, B.A., cum laude
    • Colorado
    • Colorado
    • Appellate Judicial Clerk to the Honorable Lino S. Lipinsky de Orlov, Colorado Court of Appeals
    • Appellate Judicial Clerk to the Honorable Lino S. Lipinsky de Orlov, Colorado Court of Appeals
    • Colorado Bar Association
    • American Bar Association
          • Young Lawyers Division
          • Public Contract Law
    • Colorado Asian Pacific American Bar Association
          • Board of Directors
          • Co-chair, Community Outreach Committee
          • Member, Mentorship Committee

     

     

    • Colorado Bar Association
    • American Bar Association
          • Young Lawyers Division
          • Public Contract Law
    • Colorado Asian Pacific American Bar Association
          • Board of Directors
          • Co-chair, Community Outreach Committee
          • Member, Mentorship Committee

     

     

    • Korean
    • Korean

Jessica's Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 11.11.24

Allegations of a Litany of Lyin’: Penn State Settles Claims of Cybersecurity Noncompliance

On October 22, 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) will pay $1.25 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by failing to comply with contractually mandated cybersecurity requirements by the Department of Defense (DoD) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  The announcement marks the most recent settlement under DOJ’s Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative although, unlike prior settlements, there is no allegation of a cybersecurity incident or breach that was related to or caused by the contractor’s alleged noncompliance....

Jessica's Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 11.11.24

Allegations of a Litany of Lyin’: Penn State Settles Claims of Cybersecurity Noncompliance

On October 22, 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) will pay $1.25 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by failing to comply with contractually mandated cybersecurity requirements by the Department of Defense (DoD) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  The announcement marks the most recent settlement under DOJ’s Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative although, unlike prior settlements, there is no allegation of a cybersecurity incident or breach that was related to or caused by the contractor’s alleged noncompliance....