Tam Willis
Tam Willis is an accomplished legal executive and government contracting expert who currently serves as Director and Associate General Counsel for the Air Mobility and Maritime Missions line of business at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. In this role, she provides strategic legal oversight on complex matters involving government procurement, commercial contracting, compliance, litigation, and supply-chain operations. With nearly a decade of experience at Lockheed Martin, Tam has progressed through multiple leadership positions, demonstrating a strong commitment to professional growth and operational excellence within the aerospace and defense sector.
Tam’s legal career began in 2009 when she was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps. She served in both active duty and reserve capacities, gaining extensive experience in military and government contracting law. Over the years, she has developed deep expertise in federal acquisition regulations, prime contract review, and government financing, establishing herself as a trusted advisor on high-stakes legal and regulatory issues. Her background in military service has shaped her disciplined leadership style and dedication to mission-driven work.
Tam holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Emory University, along with a Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Government Contracting and Environmental Law from The George Washington University Law School. Licensed to practice in Maryland and admitted before multiple federal courts, she remains actively engaged in professional organizations such as the National Bar Association and the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. Guided by a philosophy of hard work, lifelong learning, and stepping outside her comfort zone, Tam continues to make a meaningful impact in both the legal profession and the aerospace and defense industry.
• Licensed to practice law in Maryland
• Admitted to practice before United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
• Admitted to practice before United States Court of Federal Claims
• Admitted to practice before United States Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals
• Emory University- Bachelor's
• Mississippi School for Mathematics & Science
• The George Washington University Law School- J.D.
• The George Washington University Law School- L.L.M.
• National Bar Association
• Leadership Council for Legal Diversity
• Donates to summer program at Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science for low-income students
• Donates to political campaigns aligned with personal values
What do you attribute your success to?
For me, a strong work ethic and being willing to put myself in uncomfortable situations has been key to my success. The high school MSMS was an uncomfortable situation at a very young age, just 16 years old. After graduating from Emory, I moved to Japan and taught English as a second language to little kids for a year - I did not speak Japanese then, and don't speak Japanese now. I didn't have many friends in the country. After law school, I joined the military, even though there were only like two people in my family that I know of who joined the military for a short period of time. I didn't know what a JAG did until a few months before applying for the position. There have been many different points in my life where I just threw myself into something, hoped for the best, and knew that I would work hard. That's been the consistent thing - working hard and learning. That's worked out for me in these environments that I knew nothing about.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Welcome, you are needed, and I'm so excited about young women entering into the legal profession. It is a very rewarding career. It takes a lot of hard work, and there will probably be times - anybody who went to law school cannot deny - there are probably times when you think this is just too much to accomplish, or you hate it. But practicing law is different from being a law student, and the learning is lifelong. I'm always learning something about my area of the law and other areas of the law constantly. So, the advice would be welcome. This is a rewarding career, and as long as you prepare and work hard, the sky is the limit.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are expanding access to opportunities for students from low-resource backgrounds, maintaining a strong work ethic, and staying open to challenges that promote lifelong learning. Outside of work, I enjoy gardening, traveling, exploring history, and attending book tours that continue to fuel my curiosity and growth.