News & Events > News > U.S. Department of Justice Appellate Attorney Joins Tonkon Torp
U.S. Department of Justice Appellate Attorney Joins Tonkon Torp
2.12.2018
Federal appellate litigator Robert (Bob) Koch has joined Tonkon Torp as an Of Counsel attorney in the firm’s Litigation Department. Prior to joining the firm, he worked in the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. as part of its Civil Rights Division.
"I am ecstatic to join a firm with such a strong commitment to excellence, community involvement, and social justice," said Koch. "After ten years of public service, I could not ask for a better return home to Oregon."
Koch spent five years as a Senior Attorney in the Appellate Section of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and five years in its Special Litigation Section. His work with the Department of Justice garnered him several Distinguished Service and Special Commendation Awards.
While in the Appellate Section, Koch handled numerous civil and criminal cases involving civil rights laws in the U.S. Courts of Appeals. His litigation experience with the Department of Justice included serving as lead attorney on case teams enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act. In 2009, Koch worked on a detail to the Office of White House Counsel during which he vetted candidates for Executive Branch and judicial positions, and drafted memoranda to the President analyzing LGBT legal issues.
"We are thrilled that Bob has joined us," said Darcy Norville, Managing Partner. "His significant appellate and litigation experience, especially in the federal civil rights arena, is a perfect supplement to our litigation practice, and a great benefit to our clients. Having an attorney of Bob's caliber on our team enhances our ability to provide a full slate of tailored legal services to the region’s business community."
A native of Bloomfield Hills, MI, Koch graduated magna cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School in 2006 where he served as the Editor in Chief of the Michigan Journal of Law Reform. Immediately following his graduation from law school, Bob served as a law clerk for Judge Susan P. Graber of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in Portland.