Sharon L. Larkin

Sharon Larkin has more than 25 years of experience handling complex government contract matters. She represents government contractors in the full spectrum of procurement matters, with particular emphasis on bid protests, claims litigation, prime/sub disputes, and dispute resolution – areas where she has unique insights from her prior role in adjudicating contract disputes. Sharon litigates matters before the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Court of Federal Claims, Federal Circuit, District Courts, Boards of Contract Appeals, and other tribunals. She also counsels clients on how to avoid litigation, collaborates with clients to develop strategies to avoid or mitigate risk, and guides clients through the contractual and regulatory maze of compliance to minimize their exposure to litigation. She handles matters for clients covering all aspects of the procurement process, from formation to performance to close out. Sharon represents both large and small contractors, and her particular areas of industry focus include health care and biotechnology, aerospace and defense, information technology, and construction.

Sharon takes a pragmatic approach to solving the legal problems of her clients, drawing on her years of law firm and government experience. Most notably, she spent 12 years at the GAO as a Judge on the GAO Contract Appeals Board and an Assistant General Counsel in the Procurement Law Division. During her time at the GAO, she heard more than 1,600 cases (protests and appeals), issued more than 425 public decisions, presided over more than 40 hearings and trials, and conducted more than 65 alternative dispute resolution sessions. Sharon uses this experience to formulate effective strategies and develop creative solutions to resolve legal disputes in ways that best achieve the business objectives of her clients.

Sharon chaired the ABA Section of Public Contract Law from 2013 to 2014, when she led the Section through the federal government shutdown. She is a frequent lecturer on government contracting matters and has taught numerous classes on contract formation and administration, litigation practice, and alternative dispute resolution.