Peter Alpaugh Rohrbach

Peter A. Rohrbach, 56, died Oct. 25 in Baltimore, MD of complications from lymphoma. He was one of the leading communications lawyers in the US and a member of the Executive Committee of Hogan & Hartson LLP, a global law firm and the oldest major firm headquartered in Washington, DC. He was a devoted and deeply-loved father, husband, brother, son, and friend. Mr. Rohrbach's career reflected the dedication, values, and intelligence that defined his personal life. Mr. Rohrbach joined Hogan & Hartson as an associate in 1979 and became a partner in 1987. During his thirty years there, he was one of the firm's most successful partners and widely regarded as one of the leading communications lawyers in the US. He has been particularly recognized for his work in telecommunications, with an emphasis on the wireline industry, satellite communications, and information services. Mr. Rohrbach has played a major role in many of the key regulatory developments in these industry segments. He also was widely recognized for his experience handling broadcast and new media matters. Mr. Rohrbach's many accomplishments include handling major telecommunications mergers and related regulatory approvals at the federal and state levels, as well as achieving successful results in numerous complex regulatory and litigation matters. He has taught law school seminars and has frequently spoken on telecommunications policy matters at industry events. Mr. Rohrbach also was an important member of Hogan & Hartson's management team. He has been Director of the firm's Communications Practice Group since 1998. He also served two terms on Hogan's Executive Committee. In November 2008, shortly before being diagnosed with cancer, he was named firm-wide Managing Partner-Practice Management. During his time as a member of firm leadership, Hogan grew to become one of the 25 largest firms in the world with over 1, 100 lawyers practicing in 27 offices in 12 countries. Hogan also continued to build on its long tradition of outstanding community service by providing substantial amounts of free legal services to those in need and to promoting diversity. Peter Alpaugh Rohrbach was a kind and generous man whose quiet, unpretentious manner belied the depth of his convictions and passions. He was first and foremost a devoted and beloved father and husband. He met Linda Gail Alperin, a Memphis native and daughter of Corinne Howard and Alfred Alperin, while they were both undergraduates at Yale College; they married in 1976, and she survives him with their two sons, James and Andrew, both of whom also attended Yale. He shared with his family a deep appreciation for culture of all kinds, most especially theater, music, opera, and fine art. He also loved travel and the outdoors; his experience climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with his son in 2007 served as inspiration for him and his family throughout his courageous battle with cancer. He drew great satisfaction from his work as a volunteer teacher with the outreach program of Thurgood Marshall Academy, a successful DC public charter school. He also provided quiet (usually anonymous) but committed support to numerous organizations consistent with his values. Mr. Rohrbach was born on April 11, 1953, in Hartford, Connecticut, to a family descended from William Brewster, preacher on the Mayflower and the first religious leader of the Plymouth colony. He attended Phillips Exeter Academy, and graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in history from Yale College in 1975. After a year working at the National Endowment for the Humanities, he matriculated to Stanford Law School, where he was senior note editor of the Law Review. After graduating in 1979, he began his career at Hogan & Hartson. In addition to his wife and sons, he is also survived by his parents, two brothers, and sister. A non-denominational memorial service will be held for Mr. Rohrbach on Friday, October 30, 2009 at 10:30AM at Temple Rodef Shalom, 2100 Westmoreland Street, Falls Church, Virginia. Working with the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region, a community-based 501(c)(3) organization, the family has established the Peter A. Rohrbach Endowment to benefit the students of Thurgood Marshall Academy. Contributions in his honor may be mailed to the Peter A. Rohrbach Endowment/CFNCR, Hogan & Hartson LLP, Attention Robert Glass, 555 Thirteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004. Donations will be used to help students realize their college dreams and to benefit the Academy.

Tributes

Peter Alpaugh Rohrbach

April 11, 1953 - October 25, 2009