Robert C. Bernius
In memoriam
Our Washington, DC office and the NP family have lost a respected colleague and dear friend. Our former partner and general counsel, Bob Bernius, a skilled and tenacious litigator for more than 40 years, passed away last week after a seven-month illness.
Bob joined Nixon, Hargrave, Devans & Doyle as an associate in 1975—his first job in private practice after beginning his legal career in the district attorney’s office in Brooklyn, New York. Right away, Bob demonstrated the intelligence, precision, and work ethic that would power him to so much professional and personal success.
In 1981, Bob joined the partnership, and he established himself as a colossus of the firm. He treated his legal work with the seriousness and gravity required, but he balanced this dedication with a kind, affable personality that made him many lifelong friends, inside and outside NP.
He was also unfailingly committed to our clients. Bob was a key member of the attorney team for Gannett, one of the firm’s leading clients at the time. He even represented Gannett in a First Amendment case before the US Supreme Court.
In 1985, Gannett relocated its corporate headquarters to Washington, DC, and several attorneys, including Bob, made the decision to follow. With their families, the attorneys moved from Rochester to Washington to continue their work with Gannett and ensure the relationship remained strong. This move is one of the primary reasons we have a Washington office today.
Bob later capably served as Nixon Peabody’s general counsel from 2008–2015. His wise counsel and unflappable demeanor earned him the trust of our partners, who knew Bob could solve problems and punch back hard against specious claims when needed.
For more than 16 years, Bob served as a volunteer adjudicator in the DC attorney discipline system. He started as a member of a hearing committee, then was appointed by the Court of Appeals to the District’s Board on Professional Responsibility, eventually serving as vice chair and chair. Bob remained involved in this work up until his passing.
He also took up hiking in his spare time. Over the years, Bob traveled many of the most famous trails in the world, including the Camino de Santiago in Spain, Hadrian’s Wall in the United Kingdom, and the Inca Trail leading to Machu Picchu in Peru. It was so enjoyable to hear him tell tales of those adventures.
Bob was a great lawyer who epitomized NP’s culture and spirit. Our thoughts are with his wife, Elissa, his children, Morgen, Shay, and Ashley, and everyone who loved him, which includes our entire NP family. Bob will be missed.