Robert J. DeSousa
Counsel
Overview
Robert J. (Bob) DeSousa is a super connector, introducing clients to key governmental and business players across Pennsylvania, serving clients’ government relations needs, conducting investigations, and providing client relationship care on a host of business law issues.
Drawing on more than 40 years of experience in the government and legal sectors, Bob provides first-class service. Prior to joining Eckert Seamans, he served for 12 years as State Director for U.S. Senator Pat Toomey, was a Colonel in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, and was a community leader. An Iraq War veteran, Bob applies the lessons of 28 years in Army leadership positions to help clients solve problems.
Bob is a proud member of Eckert Seamans’ Military and Veteran’s Initiative, which supports the firm’s veteran attorneys, professional staff, and legal consultants who have served or continue to serve in all branches of the United States military.
His previous roles include serving as Chief of the Civil Division in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Chief Counsel of the PA Department of State, and Inspector General of the Commonwealth. Bob also served as Chief Executive Officer of The Vartan Group, Inc., in Central Pennsylvania and as General Counsel for the wealth management firm R. E. Harper Associates, among other positions.
Professional Affiliations
- Dauphin County General Authority (Board Member & Treasurer, 2009-2011)
- Association of Corporate Counsel, Chapter Secretary, Board of Directors (2004-2007)
- 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) and 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
- Army Heritage Center Foundation, Board of Directors (2020-present). Chairman (2025-2026)
- Open Discourse Coalition, Board of Advisors (2025-present)
- The Resilient States Project, Common Ground USA, Board of Advisors (2022-present)
- Manor College, Trustee (2016-present), Chairman of the Board, (2026-present)
- Catholic War Veterans Post 707, Commander (2022-present)
- VFW Post 9639, Judge Advocate (2009-present)
- Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem
- The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels
- Military Board of Visitors Widener Commonwealth Law School, Member (2015-2025)
- Strategic Planning working group for the Army Heritage Center Foundation, Member (2019-2020)
- New Birth of Freedom Council, BSA Executive Board (2010-2018)
- The National Civil War Museum, Board of Directors (2005-2011; Board Chair, 2009)
- West Hanover Township, Pennsylvania Zoning Hearing Board, Board Member (2005-2007)
- Saint Thomas More Society, Board of Directors (2004-2007)
- Other Military Associations: Military Officers Association, American Legion, Association of the United States Army, Association of the 28th Division
Awards and Recognition:
- Federal Bar Association’s The Earl W. Kintner Award for Distinguished Service (2019)
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Administration Certificate of Achievement for Government Responsiveness (1997)
- Lieutenant Governor’s Pacesetter Award for efficiency in reforming the Department of State’s Legal Office (1997)
- Department of Justice Director’s Award in Financial Litigation (The Gallinghouse Award) (1993)
- Veterans Administration Award for superior defense of cases (1992)
- Department of the Interior Special Commendation from the National Park Service for work in land condemnation cases (1991)
- Attorney General’s Special Achievement Award (1988)
- Various Military decorations including the Bronze Star Medal and five Meritorious Service Medals
News and Insights
Publications
- “Will Community Solar Ever See the Light in Pennsylvania?” Eckert Seamans’ Energy Update, June 25, 2025.
- “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.
News Releases
- “Eckert Seamans Counsel Robert DeSousa Appointed Chair of Pennsylvania Middle District Magistrate Judge Selection Panel,” April 2023.
- “Eckert Seamans Welcomes Former State Director Robert DeSousa as Government Affairs Counsel in Harrisburg,” April 2023.
Speaking Engagements
- “Even War Has Rules: An Introduction to International Humanitarian Law,” presenter. CLE program hosted by the American Red Cross and sponsored by the Army Heritage Center Foundation, Widener Commonwealth Law School and the Federal Bar Association, March 2024, March 2025 and June 2026.
- “Veterans’ Day Ceremony and CLE: National Security,” Widener University Commonwealth Law School, November 2024.
- “Veterans’ Day Ceremony and CLE: From the Battlefield to the Boardroom,” Widener University Commonwealth Law School, November 2023.
Interests
Bob is an amateur historian. He loves read history and historical fiction and visiting historical sights. He and his wife are world travelers, where they delve into the local culture and history. He has restored two antique automobiles: a 1965 VW Beetle (which has been in his family since new) and a 1931 Model “A” Ford, which he bought in 1976 with savings from his first jobs. Bob also devotes much of his spare time to military associations and assisting veterans.