Robert was born in Providence, Rhode Island. He has been married to Julie, a former Assistant Attorney General, for 35 years.  Mr. Lafferrandre has worked for Pierce Couch his entire career.  He began as a law student at the firm and then served as an associate for 8 years before being named as a partner in 1994.

Recently, Robert was named the “Outstanding Defense Lawyer” of the state by the Oklahoma Association of Defense Counsel.  He has also achieved the highest possible rating “AV Preeminent” by his peers.

Mr. Lafferrandre specializes in the defense of civil rights, employment and insurance cases.  He is a frequent speaker at national civil rights seminars and has served as Chairman of a prominent civil rights defense group. Robert represents numerous cities and towns, as well as the National Police Association. He has appeared before the United States Supreme Court on numerous occasions.

Education:

• New Hampton Preparatory School, Valedictorian, 1979

• University of Vermont, 1979-1983
  Honors:Phi Beta Kappa
  Major: English

• Franklin College, Lugano, Switzerland, 1981

• Wroxton College, Wroxton England, 1982

• University of Oklahoma College of Law, Norman, Oklahoma, 1983-1986

• Paris Institute of International and Comparative Law, Paris, France, 1984

Bar Admissions:

• Oklahoma, 1986

• U.S. District Court Northern District of Oklahoma, 1986

• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Oklahoma, 1986

• U.S. District Court Western District of Oklahoma, 1986

• U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 1987

• U.S. Supreme Court, 2012

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Oklahoma Bar Association

• Defense Research Institute, Inc.
  Current Vice Chair, Civil Rights Committee

• International Association of Defense Counsel

• Oklahoma Association of Defense Counsel, Outstanding Defense Counsel Award, 2009

• The Outstanding Lawyers of America

• Outstanding Defense Counsel Award, 2009

Published Works:

• Legal and Practical Guidelines for Training and Supervision of Police Officers, DRI Governmental Liability Newsletter, May/June, 1990

• Limiting Municipal Exposure for Negligent Traffic Regulations under the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, DRI Governmental Liability Committee Newsletter, September/October, 1990

• Limiting Governmental Liability for Prisoners Medical Claims & Claims Arising out of Prison Conditions, DRI Monograph, 1996

• Defending a Civil Action Under the Wiretapping Act, July, 1999

Classes/Seminars Taught:

• Defense Research Institute Governmental Liability, 1994 - 2003 (Defending civil rights lawsuit)

• Insurance Advisory Counsel-Council Meeting, 1996 - 2000 (Jail and prison claims)

• New Mexico Defense Association, 2000 (Jail and prison claims)

• World Research Group, 2000 (Jail and prison claims and policy)

• Global Labor and Employment Law, 2001 (Defending employment claims)

• Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association, 2015 (Defending civil rights claims)

• Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association, 2016 (Defending civil rights claims)

• Defense Research Institute – Governmental Liability, 2020 (Defending jail and prison claims)