Blackford Forum

About

Jonathan DeMellaMy name is Jonathan DeMella. I am a partner in the Government Contracts Counseling and Litigation Group of Oles Morrison Rinker and Baker, LLP, in Seattle Washington. Prior to joining Oles Morrison in 2005, I worked for Sidley Austin in Washington, DC for about six years and, before that, I was a Law Clerk at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

I started this blog to engage clients and colleagues in a regular, ongoing discussion of emerging issues in Government contracting. We are currently in a period of rapid and significant change regarding the rules and conventions with which we are familiar and, for better or worse, the traditional means of exchanging information and ideas about these developments cannot keep pace.

The majority of my practice involves representing contractors against the Federal Government and, most often and recently, in connection with claims and internal investigations. I have also seen a significant increase in bid protest work, as well as inquiries regarding the laws and regulations relating to small business contracting, including those specifically relating to Alaska Native Corporations.

If you are reading this, I suspect you are interested in and involved with these same issues, and I hope you will accept this invitation to jump into the discussion. In addition to being part of a lively online conversation and staying on top of the issues, I believe an exchange of ideas as will be found here can be a foundation for positive change to the rules and regulatory structure of which we are a part.

Practice Areas

  • Alaska Native Corporations
  • Bid Protests
  • Claims
  • Defective Pricing
  • Ethics & Compliance
  • False Claims
  • Investigations
  • Joint Ventures / Teaming Agreements
  • Litigation / ADR
  • Suspension & Debarment
  • E-Verify and Employment Related Issues

Professional Associations

  • National Contract Management Association, Puget Sound Chapter, Vice President of Education
  • Board of Contract Appeals Bar Association
  • American Bar Association, Section of Public Contract Law, Forum on the Construction Industry

Education

  • American University, Washington College of Law, J.D., 1998
  • University of Connecticut, BA, Philosophy and Political Science, 1992

Bar Admissions

  • Massachusetts
  • District of Columbia
  • Washington