Education
Notre Dame Law School, JD, cum laude
University of Dallas, BA
Clerkship
U.S. District Judge Jorge A. Solis, 2005-2006
Bar/Court Admissions and Professional Affiliations
State Bar of Texas
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Court for all Districts of Texas
Dallas Bar Association
St. Thomas More Society
Rob Dunikoski is a former federal prosecutor with over fifteen years of experience investigating and litigating complex cases, including high stakes commercial litigation, internal investigations, and import-export matters.
Rob primarily represents middle-market clients, global non-profits, and high-net-worth individuals. He has extensive experience in handling complex commercial disputes, misconduct allegations involving leaders and senior executives, and import-export compliance issues, including matters involving the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), and U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Rob joined Castañeda + Heidelman from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security where he led a team of over twenty attorneys handling federal litigation, employment, privacy, customs/import-export, and immigration compliance matters. For over a decade, Rob advised special agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) on complex cross-border matters including the illegal export of controlled technology, cybercrime, and intellectual property theft/piracy. He also provided counsel on internal investigations, asset forfeiture, suspension and debarment, qui tam, whistleblowers, and worksite enforcement (I-9) audits.
Before taking on a leadership role within Homeland Security, Rob prosecuted federal crimes as a Special Assistant United States Attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas. Earlier in his career, he 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.
Rob’s first and favorite legal job was serving 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. Before law school, he worked as an information technology consultant. As an undergraduate, Rob studied philosophy at the University of Dallas.
On a personal note, Rob and his wife, Anna, live in Irving, Texas, and have five beautiful children. They are grateful to be part of a vibrant and growing faith community. Rob is active in the Cistercian Alumni Lawyer’s Group, the St. Rita Catholic Community, and the St. Thomas More Society.