Speaker 02.11.25
02.11
Pub K's GovCon Annual Review 2025
Ronald Reagan International Trade Center
Aaron Ralph is a partner in Pillsbury’s Government Contracts & Disputes practice, where he helps clients navigate intellectual property matters, cost and pricing issues, internal investigations, and compliance obligations, as well as bid protests and contract claims litigation.
Aaron has helped defense, national security, information technology, health technology, construction, and logistics companies work with government agencies, including the National Institutes of Health and the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Veterans Affairs. He has advised contractors negotiating intellectual property rights with the government, reviewed contractors' internal controls to improve compliance with federal requirements, and helped clients avoid suspension and debarment. He has also counseled clients contemplating mergers and acquisitions involving government contractors and advised clients who are entering the government market for the first time. Aaron has also participated in a wide range of investigations, where he has analyzed issues as diverse as compliance with cybersecurity requirements and allegations of fraud.
Representative Experience
- Won dismissal of government’s $1.2 million claim against government contractor alleging unallowable indirect costs and penalties.
- Advised a Silicon Valley start-up in negotiating a $100 million Other Transaction Authority agreement to implement artificial intelligence products in support of U.S. Air Force activities world-wide.
- Counseled a power generation company regarding intellectual property rights associated with a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) awarded by the Department of Energy.
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- Counseled a prominent community-based online platform company on becoming compliant with the various federal, state, and local regulations imposed upon a government contractor.
- Successfully represented former Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at a technology company in proposed debarment matter with the General Services Agency.
- Represented client in a bid protest at the Court of Federal Claims involving the Department of Education’s $2.8 billion contract for debt collection services, obtaining injunctive relief and convincing the government to amend the solicitation and evaluate revised proposals.
- Represented government contractor in connection with dispute with government over patent rights.
- Represented client as amici at the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, establishing that FAR part 12’s prohibition against use of terms inconsistent with customary commercial practice applies to task and delivery orders issued under Federal Supply Schedule contracts.
- Helped several clients successfully resist the government’s disclosure of their sensitive and proprietary information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
- Practiced as an attorney in the U.S. Air Force's Acquisition Law and Litigation Directorate, where he served in a variety of capacities, including source selection counsel and trial attorney.
- Served previously as an active duty judge advocate in the U.S. Army, where he counseled some of the agency's most senior leaders on a variety of sensitive issues.
- While stationed at the Pentagon, provided legal guidance on high-profile investigations involving intense congressional and media scrutiny.
- As a judge advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve, Aaron currently teaches as an Adjunct Professor in the Contract and Fiscal Law Department, The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School, Charlottesville, VA.
Certain of the above representations were handled by Mr. Ralph prior to his joining Pillsbury.
Professional Highlights
Memberships & Associations
- Vice Chair, American Bar Association (ABA), Public Contract Law Section, Accounting, Cost and Pricing Committee
Speaking Engagements
- Intellectual Property, Pub K Annual Review 2025, February 12, 2025
- Fireside Chat: The Latest on CMMC Certification, GovCon East 2025, January 16, 2025
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- Cost and Pricing Update – A Continuing Focus on Fair and Reasonable Pricing, Pillsbury’s 2024 West Coast Government Contracts Summit, San Diego, May 16, 2024
- Defending the Castle: Strategies to Protect Your Business from DoD and DOJ Scrutiny, Pillsbury’s 2024 West Coast Government Contracts Summit, San Diego, May 16, 2024
- From Capitol Hill to Corporate Realities: Government Transitions and New Opportunities to Obtain Government Funding, Pillsbury CLE Marathon, January 23, 2024
- An Update on Suspension and Debarment Activity and Compliance Advice to Keep Contractors out of the Government’s Line of Fire, Federal Publications 2023 Government Contracts Review and Outlook Seminar, La Jolla, CA, November 14, 2023
- Data Rights Developments, Public Contracting Institute's Supply Chain Symposium, May 16, 2023
- An Update on Cost and Pricing Cases, Rules, and Hurdles, Pillsbury’s 2023 West Coast Government Contracts Summit, San Diego, April 20, 2023
- Preparing for Evolving Regulatory Requirements, Including Cybersecurity, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Data Rights Markings, Pillsbury’s 2023 West Coast Government Contracts Summit, San Diego, April 20, 2023
- Latest Developments in Supply Chain Pricing and Cost Issues, Public Contracting Institute's Supply Chain Symposium, March 21, 2023
- Through the Looking Glass: Recent Developments in Cost & Pricing and Their Implications on 2022 and Beyond, Pillsbury’s Annual West Coast Government Contracts Seminar, April 19, 2022
- Latest Developments in Supply Chain Pricing and Cost Issues, PCI Supply Chain Webinars, May 18, 2022
- Vice Chair, American Bar Association (ABA), Public Contract Law Section, Accounting, Cost and Pricing Committee
- Data Rights and Cyber Security in the Defense Industrial Base, Public Contracting Institute's Supply Chain Symposium, March 18, 2020
- Your Tax Dollars at Work: The Truth Behind Government Contracting Title, Pillsbury CLE Marathon, January 14-15, 2020
- Latest Developments in Supply Chain Pricing and Cost Issues, June 19, 2019
- Data Rights Throughout the Supply Chain, May 15, 2019
- Will Changes Underway in Cost and Pricing Prove to be Just Another “Grand Illusion”?, Pillsbury’s 5th Annual West Coast Government Contracts Seminar, May 9, 2019
Education
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LL.M., Government Procurement Law, The George Washington University Law School, 2013
with Highest Honors, Patricia A. Tobin Government Procurement AwardJ.D., University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, 2004
with Great Distinction, Order of the Coif, Articles and Symposium Editor, McGeorge Law ReviewB.A., University of Redlands, 2001
Dual Major - Economics and Government
Admissions
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California
District of Columbia
Courts
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U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia