Rob Dunikoski is a former federal prosecutor with extensive litigation and investigations experience who provides sound advice and counsel on high-stakes matters.
Rob’s investigation practice focuses on matters involving executive misconduct, embezzlement and fraud, whistleblower complaints, discrimination and retaliation, foreign corrupt practices, import-export issues, and ethical and policy violations. His litigation practice centers on complex commercial cases involving breach of contract, fraud, defamation, and trade secret claims, and employment litigation involving whistleblowers, unlawful termination, and discrimination allegations. Rob also provides employment counsel and outside general counsel services for mid-market companies and sophisticated non-profits.
Before joining Castañeda + Heidelman, Rob led a team of over twenty attorneys handling federal litigation and compliance matters for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Rob advised senior government officials on internal investigations and other high-profile matters. He received numerous awards while in public service, including recognition for excellence from the General Counsel for Homeland Security.
Earlier in his career, Rob prosecuted federal crimes for the U.S. Department of Justice as a Special Assistant United States Attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division. He also worked in DLA Piper’s commercial litigation group where he helped sophisticated clients with contract disputes, regulatory matters, anti-counterfeiting efforts, and trade secret litigation.
In his first and favorite legal job, Rob served as a law clerk for U.S. District Judge Jorge A. Solis. Judge Solis was a skilled jurist, incredible mentor, and wonderful human being. He passed away unexpectedly in 2021, and Rob strives to practice law in a way that honors the Judge’s memory.
Rob graduated cum laude from Notre Dame Law School. While there, he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy.
On a personal note, Rob and his wife, Anna, live in Irving, Texas, and have five beautiful children. Rob serves on the board of the Catholic Music Initiative and is active in the Cistercian Alumni Lawyer’s Group and the St. Rita Catholic Community.