Biography

Tara Hopkins has extensive experience representing contractors across a diverse array of industries in all facets of government contracting. With a deep understanding of the intricacies of federal procurement law, Tara provides invaluable guidance to her clients, helping them navigate the complexities of the procurement process, from bid protests, compliance programs and internal investigations, to claims prosecution and dispute resolution.

Her practice focuses on bid protests, where she advocates for her clients before the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Court of Federal Claims (COFC), procurement ethics and compliance, internal investigations and audits, and claims and disputes before the Boards of Contract Appeals. Tara also guides businesses through critical procurement-related issues such as due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, domestic preference compliance, and subcontractor management and disputes.

With a client-centered approach, Tara is committed to finding strategic, practical solutions to even the most challenging government contracting issues, offering both preventative counsel and vigorous representation when disputes arise.

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  • ABA Public Contracts Law Section, Bid-Protest Committee, Vice Chair
  • ABA Public Contracts Law Section, Commercial Products and Services Committee, Vice Chair
  • “Fundamentals of Joint Ventures in Construction,” co-presenter, Beacon360, February 20, 2025.
  • “Contractor Tips: Shape Government Solicitations and Win Contract Awards with Pre-Award Communications and Protests,” co-presenter, Fed Pubs, February 18, 2025.
  • “Preventing the Fox from Guarding the Henhouse: FAR Proposed Rule Overhauls Organizational Conflicts of Interest Rules for Federal Procurement,” co-author, HB Alert, February 14, 2025.
  • “Agency Corrective Action: Decision Points, Strategy, and Challenges,” co-presenter, ABA Bid Protest Committee Meeting, October 15, 2024.
  • "Procurement Ethics and Contract Performance," co-presenter, Fed Pubs, August 28, 2024.
  • “Fed. Circ. Percipient Gov't Contract Ruling Is Groundbreaking,” co-author, Law360, July 2, 2024.

Education

J.D., Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, 2017, Chief Managing Editor, Ohio State Journal on Criminal Law, Moot Court Travel Team

B.A., Political Science, Ohio State University, 2012, cum laude

Clerkships

Extern to the Honorable Michael H. Watson, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, 2015

Admissions

District of Columbia

Ohio

Virginia

Court Admissions

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

U.S. Court of Federal Claims

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit