Jessica R. Chao
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.
Career & Education
- 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
- 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
-
-
- Korean
Jessica's Insights
Client Alert | 4 min read | 04.01.25
For Better or MORSE: Another Settlement Under DOJ’s Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative
On March 26, 2025, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that defense contractor MORSECORP Inc. (MORSE) will pay $4.6 million to settle allegations that MORSE violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by failing to comply with cybersecurity requirements and subsequently submitting false or fraudulent claims for payment in its contracts with the Departments of the Army and Air Force. This is the first FCA settlement that is based on a defense contractor’s failure to reevaluate and promptly update its self-assessment score in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) after a third-party assessment resulted in a lower score.
Client Alert | 2 min read | 03.31.25
Canadian CMMC? Canada Proposes Cyber Compliance Regime for Canadian Defense Suppliers
Client Alert | 4 min read | 02.21.25
Insights
Jessica's Insights
Client Alert | 4 min read | 04.01.25
For Better or MORSE: Another Settlement Under DOJ’s Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative
On March 26, 2025, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that defense contractor MORSECORP Inc. (MORSE) will pay $4.6 million to settle allegations that MORSE violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by failing to comply with cybersecurity requirements and subsequently submitting false or fraudulent claims for payment in its contracts with the Departments of the Army and Air Force. This is the first FCA settlement that is based on a defense contractor’s failure to reevaluate and promptly update its self-assessment score in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) after a third-party assessment resulted in a lower score.
Client Alert | 2 min read | 03.31.25
Canadian CMMC? Canada Proposes Cyber Compliance Regime for Canadian Defense Suppliers
Client Alert | 4 min read | 02.21.25
