Carl Vacketta holds a B.S. degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and a J.D. degree from the College of Law at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.  Prior to entering private law practice, Mr. Vacketta served in the US Army Judge Advocate Corps as a captain teaching government contract law.

Carl Vacketta is currently a partner in the law firm of DLA Piper US LLP where he practices government contracts law.  Carl has more than 40 years of experience in government contracts law, including pre-award and post-award counseling on supply, service, and construction contracts with federal, state, and local government agencies and public transit authorities. He has represented companies selling information technology, telecommunications equipment, and professional and technical services to the government. He has in-depth experience in GSA's Multiple Award Schedule Contract (MASC) program; due diligence reviews to support mergers and acquisitions; termination disputes; socioeconomic obligations; and small business acquisition matters. He also has led teams of attorneys, accountants, and engineers in the investigation and preparation of multimillion-dollar claims for major shipyards, aerospace, power generating, electronics, and telecommunication companies.

In Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, the respected English research firm Chambers & Partners cites Mr. Vacketta in the top tier nationally in the area of Government Contracts. In 2007, Chambers commented on his "thoughtful, considered" work and the high level of respect he has earned; in 2008, it noted that he has "a prominent national and international reputation" and "is esteemed for his skills in matters relating to contract formation and administration." Mr. Vacketta, Chambers said, "is regarded as a luminary by his peers."

Carl has also been named to the 2009 Washington, D.C.'s Top Lawyers List.  He is also named in the 2008 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his government contracts practice. In 2005, Mr. Vacketta was named a member of the Legal Elite by Washington SmartCEO magazine. In 2004, Legal Times named him to its short list of the top practitioners of government contracts law in the Washington, DC area.

Vacketta currently holds offices in the following organizations:

*  Board member, Capital Area Food Bank since 2002

*  Board member, University of Illinois Foundation, Champaign-Urbana

*  Board member, Board of Visitors for the College of Law at University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana

Professional Memberships

• Editor in Chief Emeritus, Public Contract Law Journal, Section of Public Contract Law, American Bar Association
• Fellow, American Bar Association, Section of Public Contract Law
• Fellow, National Contract Management Association
• Advisory Board, The Government Contractor (West Group, 1992 to present)
• American Bar Association, Section of Public Contract Law (Council Member, 1979-1982; Secretary, 1978-1979; Vice Chair, Commercial Products and Services Committee, 1998-present)
• Past President, Board of Visitors, College of Law, University of Illinois
• Academic Member, National Association of Purchasing Management
• Bar Association of the District of Columbia
• Illinois State Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association
• Board of Contract Appeals Bar Association