Robert A. DeRise

Robert’s practice focuses on representing clients in complex commercial litigation, as well as in regulatory litigation against government agencies—bringing constitutional and statutory challenges to federal agency regulations or policies. He has also represented clients in transnational litigation involving issues of international and foreign law, representing multinational and domestic corporations, foreign sovereigns, and foreign officials facing the prospect of litigation in the United States. He has handled litigation and advised clients regarding overseas discovery obligations, and lawsuits brought under the Alien Tort Statute, the Anti-Terrorism Act, and foreign sovereign immunity, including in federal court in the District of Columbia and the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, the Southern District of New York, and elsewhere.

Prior to joining Woods Rogers, Robert served for five years as the permanent law clerk to Senior U.S. District Judge Norman K. Moon of the Western District of Virginia. Before that, Robert practiced at Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP in Washington D.C. Robert served as a law clerk to Judge Barbara M. Keenan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and as a term law clerk to Judge Moon after attending law school. While attending the University of Virginia Law School, he served as chief justice of the William Minor Lile Moot Court Board and managing editor of the Virginia Environmental Law Review. 

Outside the Office Read less

• Secured dismissal of putative class action against U.S. steel manufacturer client in federal court in Illinois, which was affirmed on appeal in the Seventh Circuit.
• Represented the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac before the Seventh and Ninth Circuits, the Supreme Court of Nevada, and state and federal trial courts.
• Represented a large non-profit in government contract litigation against federal agencies in federal district courts and the Tenth Circuit addressing competing procurement statutes.
• Secured award of summary judgment ruling that private equity company client was not liable in WARN Act class action.
• Represented foreign sovereigns and ministries, state-owned companies and current and former high-ranking officials in litigation in federal district and appellate courts.
• Secure dismissal of Virginia fraud lawsuit against government contractor client, which was affirmed on appeal to the Supreme Court of Virginia.

Clerkships

The Honorable Norman K. Moon, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia

The Honorable Barbara M. Keenan, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit 

Education

University of Virginia School of Law, J.D.

University of Virginia, B.A.

Admissions

Virginia 

District of Columbia