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Rebecca van Burken

Associate
Washington, DC
About

Rebecca van Burken represents aerospace, defense, space, and next-generation energy companies in connection with government contracts, federal funding opportunities, regulatory compliance, and strategic transactions. She advises clients throughout the lifecycle of government and commercial collaborations, helping them navigate complex legal frameworks while advancing critical technologies.

Her experience includes drafting and negotiating a wide range of agreements, including joint venture agreements, teaming agreements, joint technology development agreements, launch and payload services agreements, and licensing agreements. Rebecca also counsels clients on matters involving SBIR awards, OTAs, SAAs, IDIQ contracts, and CRADAs, with a particular focus on the government contracting and regulatory obligations associated with these instruments.

Prior to entering private practice, Rebecca was in-house counsel at an international space company focused on lunar transportation technologies. There, she advised the business on domestic and international space and launch law, insurance and indemnification structures, foreign investment and ownership considerations, corporate governance, restructuring, and export controls.

Rebecca was recognized on Payload's 2025 "30 Under 30" list for leadership in law and policy. Clients value her industry insight, commercial perspective, and pragmatic approach to solving complex legal challenges in highly regulated and rapidly evolving sectors.

Areas of FocusGovernment ContractingRegulatory and Government AffairsSpace Exploration and InnovationAerospace and DefenseEnergy and Natural Resources
Bar admissionsDistrict of Columbia
Education
  • J.D., American University Washington College of Law, 2024
  • B.A., International Affairs, The George Washington University, 2020

EXPERIENCE

  • Negotiation of agreements related to the Golden Dome for America program
  • Advising on government contracts compliance matters for major defense contractor operating in propulsion space
  • Aerospace, defense, and government contracts diligence on major M&A transactions involving space and defense contractors

Seminars

  • Conference Manager, Future Space Leaders Conference, Future Space Leaders, 2025
  • Young Professional Speaker, SGX Conference, Space Generation Advisory Council, 2024
  • Pitch Competition Mentor, SGX Conference, Space Generation Advisory Council, 2024 and 2025

Media Mentions

Prior Experience

Prior to joining DLA Piper, Rebecca served as Legal Counsel to ispace U.S., a U.S. subsidiary of ispace inc. Before entering legal practice, she spent four years in government relations, providing in-house services for aerospace clients such as Voyager Technologies and Starlab Space, as well as with a consulting firm. Rebecca has also represented space and satellite companies with the Commercial Space Federation and the Satellite Industry Association.

Connect

Phone

+1 202 799 4357
(Work, Washington, DC)

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