Robert D.
Keeling

Robert is widely recognized as a leading authority on eDiscovery, focusing on coordinating discovery for large, complex, and data-intensive matters.  He represents clients in major regulatory enforcement actions, government investigations, and internal investigations, helping them navigate all phases of the discovery process.  Chambers USA and Chambers Global have consistently ranked Robert as a top attorney for eDiscovery and Information Governance.

Robert leads Redgrave’s Second Request practice, where he manages all aspects of discovery in connection with Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) “Second Requests” issued by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) or Federal Trade Commission (FTC).  Robert has been responsible for achieving substantial compliance with Second Requests in connection with transactions with a combined value of more than $230 billion.  He also serves as lead discovery counsel for high-profile antitrust litigation against the government and plaintiffs’ attorneys and works alongside antitrust counsel to address the complexities of discovery compliance. 

For over a decade, Robert has stood at the forefront of technology in litigation and government investigations.  He applies a targeted combination of data analytics and machine learning to efficiently identify key evidence, reduce client costs, and synthesize information into compelling legal arguments. Robert is a leading thinker in the application of artificial intelligence (AI), including generative AI (GenAI) to eDiscovery challenges.

Robert helps clients across a broad range of industries with a variety of discovery and information governance needs, including: counseling on the effective management of eDiscovery costs and risks; navigating emerging eDiscovery issues, including implementing best practices for defensible eDiscovery policies and procedures, developing defensible strategies for the remediation and disposal of unneeded data; creating, updating, and improving records retention policies; and addressing records management and information governance issues.

Among eDiscovery practitioners, Robert is a leading author and has published nine law review articles, including articles with the Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy and The Sedona Conference Journal.  He is also a contributing author to four legal compilations — two compilations on predictive coding, The General Counsel’s Guide to Government Investigations, and The Complex Commercial Litigation Law Review.

Robert has published several technical research papers on applied machine learning that have received recognition outside the legal sphere, including an article selected for the annual Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) conference on machine learning.  He also leads the drafting team for the Sedona Conference’s Commentary on Discovery Sanctions and is part of the drafting team for the Sedona Conference’s TAR Case Law Primer.

Robert is recognized as a preeminent speaker and thought leader on eDiscovery issues, and he is routinely invited to speak at conferences organized by the leading eDiscovery organizations, including The Sedona Conference^®, the Electronic Discovery Institute (EDI), the Georgetown Advanced eDiscovery Institute (AEDI), Legalweek, and The Master’s Conference.

Robert is an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University Law School, where he teaches a course on eDiscovery.  He also has lectured on eDiscovery and technology issues at the nation’s top law schools, including Harvard, Vanderbilt, Georgetown, Fordham, University of Virginia, and American University.

Throughout his career, Robert has maintained an active pro bono practice.  He successfully litigated four separate immigration matters, including winning the release of his clients from federal custody.  In addition, Robert drafted the Practice Manual for Pro Bono Attorneys Representing Unaccompanied Children for the Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition and was subsequently awarded CAIR’s “Law Firm Partner of the Year” award.

Before joining Redgrave, Robert was a Partner at Sidley Austin LLP and was the founder and head of Sidley’s eDiscovery and Data Analytics group.  He clerked for the Honorable Jerome B. Friedman of the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia.