Robert Alessi serves as the Global Vice Chair of DLA Piper's Energy Sector. He is regularly called upon by Fortune 100 domestic and international clients to handle their most significant energy, environmental and financial services matters — be they the defense of government criminal and enforcement actions, judicial and administrative trials and appellate litigation, regulatory compliance, project development, or major transactions.
He has been repeatedly acclaimed for his multi-faceted practice in the leading legal rating publications The Best Lawyers in America (20 consecutive years, including a “Lawyer of the Year” recognition), Chambers USA, New York Super Lawyers, and The Legal 500 United States. He also is listed in Martindale-Hubbell®, obtaining its highest rating, an individual "AV Pre-Eminent Lawyer," recognizing his legal skills and ethics. In these publications, clients have referred to him as "an A+ Lawyer," "the one attorney I would pick to be next to me when it really counts," and "one of the smartest lawyers I have ever worked with." In addition, clients state that he is "extraordinarily smart," "creative," "meticulous," "incredibly bright, hardworking, pragmatic and thoughtful."
He represented the governmental entity charged with planning the rebuilding and revitalization of the World Trade Center and Lower Manhattan in the aftermath of 9/11, having been selected to do so as a result of a national competition.
Robert’s general civil litigation practice encompasses a wide variety of commercial matters in state and federal trial and appellate courts, including multiple federal and state court actions arising out of one of the largest bank frauds nationwide. Many of his trials have turned on the direct examination and cross-examination of experts, where he applies his scientific and technical background.
He has handled a variety of domestic and cross-border criminal matters. He has pursued and defended on behalf of clients several “Section 1983” actions involving claims of violations of constitutional and other rights by government officials and agencies. He also has pursued and defended on behalf of clients numerous claims under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) of 1970.
Robert has successfully appeared on behalf of clients before the United States Supreme Court, the New York State Court of Appeals, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and for the District of Columbia. Various of these matters were profiled in the American Lawyer Litigation Daily, National Law Journal, New York Law Journal and Law 360 and reported in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.
