Robert J. DeSousa

Counsel

Overview

Robert (Bob) DeSousa has nearly 40 years of experience in the government and legal sectors. Prior to joining Eckert Seamans, he served as State Director for U.S. Senator Toomey for 12 years, during which time he oversaw seven regional offices, managed state staff, supervised the selection of US District Judges and was the eyes, ears, and voice of the Senator in Pennsylvania, when the Senator was serving in Washington, D.C.

An Iraq War Veteran, Bob also served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard for 28 years. In the Guard he held numerous positions of leadership, including as State Judge Advocate, where he provided counsel to the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania and senior staff. Bob is a proud member of Eckert Seamans’ Military and Veteran’s Initiative which supports our veteran attorneys, professional staff, and legal consultants at the firm, who have served or are continuing to serve in all branches of the United States military.

Bob’s previous roles include serving as Chief Counsel to the PA Department of State and as Inspector General of the Commonwealth. He served as Chief Executive Officer of The Vartan Group, Inc., a leader in building and land development in Central Pennsylvania and as General Counsel for wealth management firm R. E. Harper Associates, among others.

Professional Affiliations

The Dauphin County General Authority (Board Member & Treasurer, 2009-2011).
Association of Corporate Counsel, Chapter Secretary, Board of Directors (2004-2007).
Board of Directors, The National Civil War Museum (2005-2011, in 2009 Chairman of the Board).
Pennsylvania Bar Association (Chair, Career Services Subcommittee1995-2002, Member In House Counsel Committee 2003-2011).
Federal Bar Association (National President 2012-13). Served as President, Vice President, Secretary, National Delegate and Third Circuit Vice President (1988-2003), (National Board of Directors, 2001-present).
Public Member, Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists (Gubernatorial Appointment) (2002-2007).

Community Involvement

Board Member, West Hanover Township, PA, Zoning Hearing Board (2005-2007).
Saint Thomas More Society, Board of Directors (2004-2007).
Commander Catholic War Veterans Post 707 (2022-Present).
Other Military Associations: (The Military Officers Association, The American Legion, The Association of the United States Army, (2010-2021) The Association of the 28^th Division,) New Birth of Freedom Council, BSA Executive Board (2010-2018).
Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.
Trustee Manor College (2017-present).
Member Military Board of Visitors Widener Commonwealth Law School (2015-present).
Member Strategic Planning working group for the Army Heritage Center Foundation (2019-2020).
Board of Directors, United States Army Education and Heritage Center Foundation (2020-2023).

Awards and Recognition:

The Federal Bar Association’s The Earl W. Kintner Award for Distinguished Service (2019).
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Administration Certificate of Achievement for Government Responsiveness (1997).
The Lieutenant Governor’s Pacesetter Award for efficiency in reforming the Department of State’s Legal Office (1997).
The Department of Justice Director’s Award in Financial Litigation (The Gallinghouse Award) (1993).
The Veterans Administration Award for superior defense of cases (1992).
The Department of the Interior Special Commendation from the National Park Service for work in land condemnation cases (1991).
The Attorney General’s Special Achievement Award (1988).
Various Military decorations including the Bronze Star Medal and five Meritorious Service Medals.

News and Insights

Publications

“Community Solar, Coming to Pennsylvania?” Eckert Seamans’ Energy Update, April 2024.
“RAF and Authorities,” co-authors, Robert J. DeSousa and Scott J. Bertinetti, Carlisle Compendia of Collaborative Research, United States Army War College Student Publications, Volume 1, March 2015.
“Legal Ethics for Government Lawyers: Straight Talk for Tough Times,” (Opening Remarks) Widener Journal of Public Law, Volume 9, Number 2, 2000.
“Revitalizing a Legal Team: Shattering Paradigms,” On Point, a publication of the Governor’s Office of General Counsel, January 1998.
“IGs are Fighting Fraud with the False Claims Act,” co-authors, Robert J. DeSousa and William Campbell, The Federal Investigator, a publication of the Federal Investigator’s Association, February 1994.
“Giving Testimony,” The Professional Medical Assistant, a publication of the American Association of Medical Assistants, July/Aug. 1993.
“It Pays to Report Fraud, ” The Professional Medical Assistant, a publication of the American Association of Medical Assistants, May/June, 1993.
“Fraud and the Medical Assistant,” The Professional Medical Assistant, a publication of the American Association of Medical Assistants, September/October, 1992.