Admitted in Three Jurisdictions
Robert holds active bar admissions in North Carolina, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, giving him the standing to handle criminal matters across multiple jurisdictions.
Criminal Defense & Post-Conviction Attorney
Robert E. Waters: Legal Services in Criminal Defense and Post-Conviction Relief
Robert E. Waters brings nearly two decades of federal courtroom experience to Guirguis Law, providing legal services in criminal defense and post-conviction relief for clients across Raleigh and Wake County.
A Career Built on Federal Courtroom Experience
Robert was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 2004, the Virginia Bar in 2005, and the District of Columbia Bar in 2006, giving him a broad foundation in criminal and civil practice across three jurisdictions. Between 2004 and 2006, he clerked for the Honorable Louise W. Flanagan, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina, an experience that shaped his understanding of how federal judges evaluate criminal cases from the bench. He built his career defending the accused in federal court before bringing that skill set home to North Carolina and the surrounding Triangle region.
From 2006 to 2011, he practiced Medicare Provider Reimbursement Law as an associate at Vinson & Elkins and later King & Spalding in Washington, D.C. He then spent almost 12 years, from 2011 to 2022, as an Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Eastern District of North Carolina, defending clients against federal charges in some of the highest-stakes cases the court sees.
After a period as a litigation document review attorney with Womble Bond Dickinson in Morrisville, Robert joined Guirguis Law in the fall of 2023. He now applies that federal defense background to state post-conviction review and criminal defense cases, serving as a criminal defense lawyer clients can trust with complex, high-pressure matters.
His Approach to Criminal and Post-Conviction Defense
Robert treats every case as an opportunity to protect a client's rights at every stage, from arraignment through appeal and beyond. As a criminal defense attorney who has spent years inside the federal system, he understands how prosecutors build cases and how to identify the weaknesses that matter most to a client's defense.
His background gives clients access to a rare combination of experience:
- Admitted to practice in North Carolina, Virginia, and the District of Columbia
- Former law clerk to a U.S. District Judge in the Eastern District of North Carolina
- Nearly 12 years of experience as a federal public defender handling serious federal charges
- Current focus on state post-conviction relief and criminal defense matters
- Deep familiarity with both state and federal criminal procedure
- Collaborative work alongside Guirguis Law's board certified criminal defense specialist on complex cases
Credentials
- Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association
- NC Board Certified Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Defense, 2012
- Serving Wake, Durham and Johnston counties since 2008
Credentials & experience
Recognitions and Professional Credentials
Robert's credentials reflect a career spent almost entirely inside courtrooms and clerk's chambers rather than behind a desk. Clients working with him benefit from a lawyer who has seen criminal cases from the judge's perspective, the defense side, and now the post-conviction stage.
Learn about criminal law services
Federal Judicial Clerkship
His two years clerking for Judge Louise W. Flanagan of the Eastern District of North Carolina gave him firsthand insight into how federal judges weigh evidence and arguments in criminal cases.
Nearly 12 Years as a Federal Public Defender
As an Assistant Federal Public Defender, Robert defended clients facing serious federal charges, including many facing lengthy prison sentences, over the course of his career in the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Focus on State Post-Conviction Relief
Robert now concentrates much of his practice on state post-conviction review, helping clients pursue relief after conviction when new evidence, legal errors, or changed circumstances warrant a second look.
Our Services
Legal Services and Practice Areas at Guirguis Law
Robert works alongside the attorneys of Guirguis Law, a firm built to offer complete legal services to families and individuals throughout Wake, Durham, and Johnston counties. Whether a case involves a criminal charge, an immigration matter, or a family law dispute, the firm's attorneys bring focused experience to each practice area.
Immigration Law
Guirguis Law's immigration attorneys handle everything from green card applications to asylum and removal defense for clients across the country.
Criminal Law
Robert and the firm's criminal defense team represent clients facing state and federal charges, from traffic offenses to serious felonies and post-conviction matters.
Family Law
The firm's family law attorneys guide clients through divorce, child custody, and support matters with a steady, practical approach.
Civil Litigation
Guirguis Law represents clients in breach of contract disputes, employment discrimination claims, and other civil litigation matters.
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
The firm advocates for clients injured through negligence, pursuing fair compensation in personal injury and wrongful death claims.
Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning
Guirguis Law helps clients protect their families' futures through wills, trusts, and comprehensive estate planning.
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Schedule a Consultation with Robert E. Waters
If you are facing a criminal charge or exploring post-conviction relief in Wake, Durham, or Johnston County, Robert E. Waters brings federal courtroom experience and a steady, thorough approach to your defense. Reach out to Guirguis Law today to discuss your case and learn how his background can work for you.