Positions
- 1995-Present
- Private neutral in various Alternative Dispute Resolution proceedings including mediation, arbitration, mini-trials and disputes review board. Arbitrated construction and commercial disputes, both public and private, involving manufacturing and construction issues, delays, disruptions, changes, differing sites, breach of contract, and complex cost issues, and contract interpretation matters in disputes ranging from $10,000 to over $150 million; and chair of dispute review board for $225 million performing art center (ballet/opera house and concert hall).
Consultant or expert witness in public contract matters. - 1972-1995
- Administrative Judge and Division Head, Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals. Presided at all levels of administrative adjudicatory construction and commercial disputes similar to non jury civil trials, including pretrial hearing conferences, arguments on motions, post hearing conferences, and hearings varying in length from a few hours to six months, both locally and over the world. Issued oral and written rulings on motions, discovery matters, evidentiary problems and all other aspects of a trial proceeding; drafted and issued decisions involving entitlement and/or quantum in disputes involving a small dollars amount to more than a billion dollars; dealt with difficult witnesses and counsel to maintain control of a hearing.
- 1965-1972
- Assistant to the Chairman, U. S. Atomic Energy Commission Board of Contract Appeals.
- 1953-1965
- Private law practice, Washington, D. C. specializing in construction and federal taxation matters.
- 1950-1953
- Attorney Adviser to Stephen E. Rice, Judge, Tax Court of the United States.
Education
- BS, George Washington University, 1945 (Major: Chemistry)
- J.D.w.d., George Washington University (1950) (first in class)
- George Washington University School of Medicine (1945-1946)
Honors
- Ruth C. Burg Scholarship GW Law School (2019)
- Margaret Brent Women of Achievement Award presented by the American Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession, August 2008
- George Washington University Distinguished Alumna Award May 18-19, 2002
- Beatrice Rosenberg Award for Public Service from the District of Columbia Bar Association, March 3, 2000
- Fulbright Award for Public Service from George Washington University Law Alumni awarded September 22, 2000
- Order of the COIF
- John Bell Larner Award - Medal awarded to the George Washington University Law School graduate ranking first in class.
- Taxation Editor, George Washington University Law Review
- George Washington University Law School, scholarship awardee for second and third years of Law School.
- George Washington University scholarship awardee for 4 year undergraduate education.
- Valedictorian Calvin Coolidge High School, Washington, D. C., 1943
- Bausch & Lomb Medal given to high school graduate most outstanding in science
- Ruth C. Burg Luncheon for Women in Public Contract Law
(Annual luncheon by the American Bar Association Public Contract Law Section at the annual meeting) - American Bar Assn. Public Contract Law Fellows Spirit of Leadership award, August 2006
- “Star of the Bar,” Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia, October 2004
- “Star of the Bar,” Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia, October 2008
Bar Memberships and Professional Organizations
- Bar Memberships: District of Columbia, 1950; State of Maryland, 1954; United States Supreme Court, 1968
- American Bar Association
- Section of Public Contract Law Chairperson, (1984-1985)
- Fellow of the American Bar Assoicaition
- Fellow of the Public Contract Law Section
- ABA Committee on Judicial Selection, Tenure & Compensation (1986-89)
- National Conference of Lawyers and Scientists (1990-1992)
- ABA Standing Committee on Conferences (1992-1994)
- Chair, Committee exploring the use of Federal Rule 706, Court Appointed Expert Witnesses. Cosponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the former Carnegie Commission on Science and Technology in Government with the cooperation of the Federal Judicial Center.
- Executive Women in Government
- National Association of Women Judges
- Bar Association of the District of Columbia
- National Contract Management Association
- Emeritus Member, Board of Advisors
- Fellow of the Association
- American Judicature Society
- Board of Advisors, Federal Contract Reports (1995-2003)
Publications and Speeches
- My Book of Ruth” by Ruth C. Burg, Amazon (2017)
- “Liquidated Damages in Federal Government Contracts,” 47 Boston Law Review 71 (1967)†
- “The Austrian Law on Liability for Damages Caused by Atomic Energy,” 26 Federal Bar Journal 280 (1966)†
- “The Doctrine of Substantial Compliance in Federal Government Contract Disputes,” 6 Public Contract Law Journal (1969)
- “The Atomic Energy Commission Board of Contract Appeals An Experiment in Government Contracts Disputes,” 6 Public Contract Law Journal 167 (1974)
- “Tax Manual for Non Profit Organizations,” (1959)†
- Invited speaker before many legal and/or lay groups, often with a detailed written text available to participants or subscribers. Subjects have concerned many procedural and substantive matters including substantive issues pertaining to Alternative Dispute Resolution and Government contract law
†Under earlier married name, Ruth C. Breslauer (first husband deceased)