Speaker

Hon. Stephanie Cates-Harman

Judge Cates-Harman served as a Trial Attorney (1988-1989), Senior Trial Attorney (1989 -1991), and Assistant Director, Government Contracts (1991-2018) for the Department of the Navy, Office of the General Counsel, Naval Litigation Office. During her many years as a Senior Trial Attorney at the Naval Litigation Office, Judge Cates-Harman handled a broad spectrum of government contracting issues and controversies and successfully tried numerous multi-million dollar cases before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA) and the Court of Federal Claims.

In her capacity as an Assistant Director, Judge Cates-Harman supervised junior and senior level attorneys on government contracts cases before the ASBCA. She was also responsible for all bankruptcy matters involving the Navy, including significant environmental bankruptcy claims, in Bankruptcy Courts throughout the country.

During her long tenure with Navy OGC, she hired, mentored and trained numerous young lawyers in an effort to help shape a generation of excellent lawyers. She served as Special Counsel in the Office of Counsel to the President, completing her assignment in March 1994. She is admitted to practice in United States Court of Claims and its successors, and some United States District Courts. She is a member of the Florida Bar (1982) and Maryland Bar (1988 - inactive). She received the Department of Navy Superior Civilian Service Award, the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award, and the 2017 William R. Molzahn Leadership Award. She was appointed to the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals in June, 2018.