Overview

Jessica Abrahams knows the ins and outs of rules and policies that govern U.S. federal, state and local and international contracts in the government marketplace. She helps clients identify and win meaningful business opportunities, capitalize on federal appropriations and successfully navigate the various procurement processes.

Jessica provides comprehensive counsel to U.S. and international clients relating to contracting, regulatory compliance and dispute resolution in their business dealings with U.S. and foreign governmental entities. She serves as a trusted adviser to companies working across a broad range of industries, including aerospace and defense, transportation, information technology, telecommunications, health care, biodefense and professional services. She also is recognized for her extensive knowledge of the AbilityOne® Program, among the largest sources of employment in the United States for individuals who are blind or have significant disabilities. Jessica also advises government contractors on global compliance, including supply chain and risk mitigation techniques across the entirety of the business life cycle.

Complementing Jessica’s skill set is her standing as a litigator with a proven track record of wins for government contractors. She represents clients before federal district and appellate courts, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the Boards of Contract Appeals, the Government Accountability Office and various federal administrative tribunals in bid protest litigation, contract disputes, qui tam and civil procurement fraud matters, subcontractor disputes, trade secret cases, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act proceedings, and suspension and debarment. In addition, Jessica advises clients on corporate transactions involving government contractors, including mergers and acquisitions and all associated due diligence. She also provides counsel on FOCI matters, ITAR, OFAC and various export controls-related issues.

Jessica is known for her practical approach to problem solving and for her holistic and strategic view of client service aimed at limiting risk and maximizing opportunities over the long term. Jessica’s practice is an interdisciplinary one designed to achieve significant results for clients, as reflected by her outstanding record of success.

Analyzing the Impacts of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision to End Affirmative Action
Analyzing the Impacts of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision to End Affirmative Action

Related Policy, Advocacy, and Consulting Services

Credentials

Bar Admissions

District of Columbia
Ohio

Court Admissions

U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

Education

Case Western Reserve University School of Law
J.D. Order of the Barristers (1990)

Georgetown University
M.A.L.S. (2003)

Wellesley College
B.A. cum laude (1987)

Université de Provence (Aix Marseille I)

Insights & Events

Latest
最新 January 2025

Responding to Recent Guidance on OMB’s Temporary Pause of Federal Financial Assistance Programs

Broad Scope of OMB Memo M-25-13 Could Affect Federal Contractors and Grant Recipients Across Industries
9 min read  
January 2025

Federal Highway Administration Ends General Waiver for Manufactured Products

Amended Rule Aligns With Build America, Buy America Act
4 min read  
最新 January 2025

President Trump Revokes Executive Order 11246

Ending Federal Contractors’ Race and Gender Affirmative-Action Obligations
3 min read  
最新 January 2025

Fourth Quarter 2024 Government Contracts Policy and Regulatory Review

16 min read  
Recorded Webinar November 13, 2024 CLE

Global Elections 2024: Navigating the Results and Impacts for Multinational Businesses - Webinar

International Business Briefing
2 min read  
最新 October 2024

Third Quarter 2024 Government Contracts Policy and Regulatory Review

11 min read  
最新 October 2024

Department of Defense Establishes New Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program

Requirements for Defense Suppliers, Contractors and Subcontractors
11 min read  
Recorded Webinar September 11, 2024 CLE

Supply Chain Preservation in a Changing Geopolitical World - Webinar

International Business Briefing
2 min read  
News June 2024

Faegre Drinker Practices and Attorneys Earn Rankings in Chambers USA 2024 Guide

16 min read  
News December 2023

Faegre Drinker Executive Women’s Forum Presents Ann Patchett

1 min read  
Other Perspectives
  • DOL issues final rule updating Davis-Bacon and Related Acts
    Indiana Employment Law Letter, September 1, 2023
    Great Lakes Employment Law Letter, Vol. 4, No. 9, September 2023
  • Proposed Legislation Bans U.S. Government Contractors Doing Business in Russia
    Republished in Government Contracting Law Report, August 2022
  • "Elected officials singled us out’: Two Texas Planned Parenthoods won’t return up to $4 million in PPP loans," The Dallas Morning News, August 2020

Firm Blog Contributions

  • Faegre Drinker on Products – a blog addressing all things product liability that covers legal issues and developments of interest to product manufacturers and their employers

Leadership & Community

Pro Bono

  • Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2011-14
  • Capital Pro Bono High Roller Honor Roll, 2014
  • District of Columbia Bar Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year, 2000

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association, Public Contract Law Section
  • District of Columbia Bar Association
  • National Contract Management Association

Civic Activities

  • Children’s Law Center, Emeritus Board of Directors Member
  • Advising Women Executives, Founding Member
  • U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Co-Chair Lawyers Committee
  • National Woman’s Party, Vice President and Member of Board of Directors
  • KEEN Greater D.C., Member of Board of Directors

Firm Leadership

  • Team Leader, Government Contracts 
  • Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP — Chair, Government Contracts Team, 2018-20; Women’s Leadership Committee

Honors

  • Super Lawyers — 2013, 2017-22
  • Chambers USA — Nationwide, Government Contracts, 2018-24
  • Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2020