PRO
also known as W. Rob Heroy
Rob Heroy solves problems. Big problems. He believes that standing up to the Government provides his clients with the best possible results. He is aggressive and has significant trial experience in state and federal court. He left a prominent Charlotte law firm to join Goodman Carr as a partner in January of 2012. Prior to that, he served as an assistant district attorney in the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office.
Rob represents clients in criminal matters in state and federal courts. He handles high-stakes criminal matters such as white collar criminal charges and investigations, often involving millions or billions of dollars, large-scale drug trafficking conspiracies, weapons violations, serious assaults, and homicides. He has tried dozens of jury trials and does not shy away from trying a case if it is necessary.
His work also frequently involves representing individuals and companies who are the subject of investigations who want to know their legal options and whether steps can be taken early on to protect themselves. In many cases, he has kept his clients from being charged, and their names from ever seeing a news reel.
His cases have been prominently featured in media including the New York Times, the BBC, L.A. Times, MSNBC, CNN, the Charlotte Observer, and others. He was recently recognized in a novel by a nationally recognized journalist for his assistance in contributing to the knowledge of prosecution of organized crime in the Charlotte area. He has represented international kingpins and provided commentary to the BBC for the El Chapo trial and Mexican politican Genaro Luna, as well as the New York Times.
He is experienced in state and federal criminal appeals, and in post-conviction relief. He has had success overturning decades-long sentences for clients. For example, he obtained reversal of a client’s 35-year sentence based on insufficient evidence of the client’s knowledge of criminal wrongdoing from the N.C Court of Appeals. In 2019, he obtained reversal of a synthetic drug conspiracy conviction based on improper venue. In 2018, he overturned a 50-year murder sentence based on the ineffective assistance of the client’s trial lawyer, and overturned another conviction on direct appeal where the client had not been properly advised of his rights to counsel. He obtained a 100-month sentence reduction on remand for another State client, and obtained a remand for resentencing from the Fourth Circuit for a 2-year reduction for another client. (read more). He has scores of other victories where cases have been overturned on appeal or when challenged in post-conviction proceedings.
He has a number of other exciting appellate challenges working their way through the courts including a habeas corpus challenge to the immigration detention policies in North Carolina, where the ACLU and Just Futures have joined the litigation, as well as a First Amendment challenge to our jury intimidation statute in which renowned legal blogger Eugene Volokh is arguing with Mr. Heroy. The last case involves the defense of an attorney where Rob is challenging her conviction based on arbitrary enforcement by federal law enforcement. In this case and dozens of other cases, he is the lawyer that lawyers call when they need assistance, either with criminal charges or investigations or with disciplinary proceedings.
Rob also litigates immigration matters in federal district court and federal courts of appeal. In some cases, he has obtained court orders compelling immigration to grant relief to individuals or release them from detention, and in others he has obtained relief by appealing arbitrary immigration decisions to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has presented at continuing legal educations seminars before other attorneys on the subject of immigration law and has been accepted as an expert witness in the area of immigration law in North Carolina Superior Court.
Business North Carolina Magazine selected Rob to the Legal Elite every year since 2010, an award in which Business North Carolina polls attorneys to vote for the top 3 percent of attorneys in their field. North Carolina Super Lawyers has recognized him on multiple occasions as a Rising Star in criminal defense. Martindale Hubbell has rated him as an AV Preeminent lawyer, their highest rating for legal ability. Martindale also lists him as having a 4.9 out of 5.0 client rating. He has a 10 out of 10 attorney rating on . He was selected to the Mecklenburg County Bar Leadership Institute in 2011.
Rob is the president of the Mecklenburg Country Criminal Defense Bar. He is on the Board of Directors for the Mecklenburg County Bar Foundation and an executive committee member. He previously taught advanced criminal law at the Charlotte School of Law. He also puts on the annual criminal law CLE for the North Carolina Bar Association. He has received pro bono awards and recognition over the last several years.
Outside of the law, he was a finalist in the 2010 World Series of Poker. He is married to Katie Heroy, and they have three little boys, Linus, Arthur, and Leo and love spending time in the North Carolina mountains. He is also the founding member of The Adventure Club, which explores the world and whose members are limited to Rob, Katie, Linus, Arthur, and Leo.
5
Practice Areas
20 years | 50 cases
20 years
20 years | 50 cases
20 years | 1,000 cases
We have not found any cost information for this lawyer
State: North Carolina
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Showing 1 - 5 of 27 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by MPM | August 4, 2020 | Hired Attorney
When I write that I do not believe you can find a better lawyer than Rob Heroy, I am not employing hyperbole. Everything about our experience with Mr. Heroy was exemplary. His knowledge, communication skills, effort, and integrity were only matched by his empathy and kindness. From the first consul...
Posted by Daniel | May 22, 2020 | Hired Attorney
He is not only a excellent professional attorney, he is a great human being. He did what the others couldn't do. Thanks to him, i finally got justice on my case and now i am back to my life. Also he has the best team working with him, They always keep you up to date. I was convicted; b...
Posted by mvm | December 31, 2018 | Hired Attorney
Rob, I want to thank you for giving my life back. As a young man that has NEVER been in trouble with the law in his life, it took the soul out of me. You are so appreciated. I can't even explain in words as tears starts to roll down my face. Facing 27 charges for being falsely accused for the most...
Posted by Dmitry Konakh | April 21, 2018 | Consulted Attorney
Hey Rob. Thank you for taking your time in hearing my case (Asheville case ) and being honest with me on the phone. I know your time is valuable and for that would like to say thank you. While others wanted to gladly take my money and lie , you have been straight forward and told me you didn’t wa...
Posted by anonymous | April 5, 2018 | Hired Attorney
Rob Heroy is the best criminal defense lawyer in the city. I had never been involved in any legal situation before. In the process of a divorce / child custody battle, my ex-wife falsely accused me of sexually abusing her daughters which ended in my arrest with 12 to 13 charges of which 7 were catego...
Good to hear from you and thanks for the awesome review! I'm glad we made through that trial--it was definitely a stressful couple weeks... I hope everything is going well with you and your family these days.
"Rob does a phenomenal job of helping his clients. I refer people to him whenever I have the opportunity."
"I have known Mr. Heroy since 2003. In that time, he has proven to be an extremely effective court advocate and a savvy legal adviser. I refer many of my immigration and federal criminal clients to Mr. Heroy, and he has consistently exceeded both my and my clients' expectations."
"Rob represents his clients with the utmost passion and dedication. His experience within North Carolina’s courts is unmatched. His knowledge of the intricacies of criminal law is superb. Rob utilizes a very detail-oriented approach to each of his clients' cases and excels as an effective communicator. I enthusiastically endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Rob. He is a strong advocate who has a unique understanding of the criminal justice system as a defense attorney and former prosecutor. I would trust Rob with any legal matter."
"Mr. Heroy is a great advocate for his clients. I highly endorse him."
"Rob is a brilliant attorney, and is very down to earth. He's experienced and well-versed in criminal law. I send many prospective clients his way."
"Rob is a great lawyer. He is intelligent, quick on his feet, and knows the court system. I have worked with him on cases and observed him in court. Nothing but positive things to say about Rob."
"Mr. Heroy is well respected in the legal community and extremely competent. I endorse and recommend this lawyer."
"Rob and I used to work in the same firm, and since then we have worked together on numerous cases. He is an exceptional lawyer with outstanding legal ability and a tremendous work ethic. I have seem him get great results in difficult cases. I emphatically endorse him."
"I have known Rob since 2007. He is smart, driven, and dedicated to achieving the best result for his client in every situation. I fully endorse Rob."
"I endorse William. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"When it comes to Immigration issues, Rob is THE attorney to call in the Charlotte-Metro area. No questions asked."
"I endorse this lawyer. Rob is extremely knowledgeable and well researched in the areas of state criminal law, federal criminal law, evidence, and immigration. Rob is a strong advocate for his clients and well respected in the courtroom."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is incredibly hardworking and very responsive to phone calls and emails. He does a great job for his clients and I refer my clients to him when they need a criminal defense attorney. I have also referred my family members to him when they have gotten traffic tickets. They have been very pleased with the results."
"I strongly endorse Mr. Heroy as he is a top notch attorney in his field."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Immigration lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Immigration lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Immigration lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Immigration lawyer
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2020
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2019
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2017
NACDL White Collar College, NACDL
2015
Legal Elite, Business North Carolina
2014
Legal Elite, Business North Carolina
2013
Legal Elite - Criminal Defense, Business North Carolina
2013
Risings Stars in Criminal Defense, North Carolina Superlawyers
2013
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2012
Legal Elite - Criminal Defense, Business North Carolina
2012
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
Pro Bono Honor Roll, North Carolina Legal Aid
2011
Legal Elite - Criminal Defense, North Carolina Business
2010
Legal Elite - Criminal Defense, Business North Carolina
2008 - 2012
Attorney, Tin Fulton Walker & Owen, PLLC
2007 - 2008
Attorney, Law Office of Rob Heroy
2006 - 2007
Assistant District Attorney, Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office
2015 - Present
Charlotte School of LawProfessor--Advanced Criminal Law and Appellate Practice
2012 - Present
Bar Leadership InstituteMember
2010 - Present
North Carolina Advocates for JusticeMember
2006 - Present
Mecklenburg County Bar AssociationMember
Member
Member
Member
Not Guilty
Sentence Overturned
Not guilty
charges dismissed
20 year sentence overturned
overturned on appeal
first degree murder reduced to obstruction of justice
waiver granted for state and federal fraud charges
probation
split sentence
probation
forfeiture avoided
Conviction overturned/residence reinstated
29-35 year drug-trafficking sentence overturned
Manslaughter reduced to misdemeanor charges
appeal successful
Sentence reduced by 9 years
Conviction overturned due to defective indictment
Appeal Successful, and Client's sentence reduced by 2 years
hung jury followed by plea offer for probation
new plea deal offered after cross-examination of state's lead witness
Charges to be dismissed through deferred prosecution
Case Dismissed
Not Guilty
Motion for Variance granted
Hung Jury resulting in Mistrial
Not guilty
2006
JD - Juris Doctor
2003
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2016
Crimmigration
2016
Best Practices in Removal Defense
2014
Perspectives on Federal Litigation
2013
Immigration for Criminal Lawyers
2011
Guide to Merits Hearings at the Charlotte Immigration Court
2010
Where Civil Rights, Criminal Defense and Immigration Law Collide
2010
Voluntary Departure and the Appellate Process
2009
Immigration Consequences of Criminal Convictions
2015
2014
2011
2010
2009
English
Spanish
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Can you be charged with a crime if you have no knowledge of it? And is it possible to file an appeal to take it back to court.
12 May 2020
Can you get a limited driving privilege in NC if you have been convicted of felony death by motor vehicle?
27 Mar 2013
Can you be charged with possession of c/s if the drugs was found not on you but on the ground near you?
05 Apr 2012
Filing a Petition for Review of a Board of Immigration Appeals Decision
16 Feb 2014
Preparing for Immigration Reform
22 May 2013
Sentence reductions in federal drug and money laundering cases
02 Jan 2013