AGG Alumni Spotlight: Bob Rothman
Over the course of 40 years at AGG, Bob Rothman built a career marked by dedication, impact, and an unwavering commitment to the firm. Spending his entire legal career at the firm, Bob takes pride not only in his longevity, but in the meaningful contributions he made to clients, colleagues, and the broader community. From high-stakes litigation to deeply impactful pro bono work, his tenure reflects both professional excellence and service.
A respected mentor, Bob was known for offering practical, enduring advice to younger attorneys, particularly about the power of clear, effective writing and the importance of first impressions. As he enters a new chapter, he has turned his focus to his longtime personal goal of writing novels.
Read on to learn more about Bob’s accomplishments, advice, and favorite memories from his tenure at AGG.
AGG: Looking back, what are you most proud of from your 40-year tenure at AGG?
Bob Rothman: Having practiced law at only one law firm for the entirety of my career, which is increasingly less common these days, speaks to the pride I took in being a part of AGG. I also was proud to have contributed to the firm’s success in the Southern Motor Carriers case in the Supreme Court of the United States and to have led an extraordinary team of AGG volunteer lawyers, paralegals, and staff that, for the first time in Georgia history, succeeded in saving a death row inmate from execution.
AGG: Over the years, you surely mentored many lawyers — what advice did you most often give to younger attorneys?
Bob Rothman: Because the vast majority of cases are decided based on briefs rather than through hearings or trials, I urged young lawyers to work hard to improve their writing skills by organizing and outlining their thoughts before starting to write. I told them first impressions matter, so the first paragraph of a brief was more important than the next 10 paragraphs. I also told them to avoid the use of legal jargon. My cardinal rule was never to use a 50-cent word when a 25-cent word would work just as well.
AGG: What are you most excited about in this new phase of your professional journey?
Bob Rothman: On the day I decided to retire, I told my wife, Dee, that I was going to write a novel. I have now written two novels, one of which, “A Terrible Guilt,” was published in October 2024 and the second, “The Shark’s Protégé,” is scheduled to be published in April 2026. And, I have started writing a third novel.
AGG: Do you have a favorite memory or tradition from your time at AGG?
Bob Rothman: In my earliest years at the firm, my office was just a few steps from Governor Arnall’s office. Now and then, I would hear him call out my name, and I would quickly step into his office. Sometimes, he would gesture for me to sit in the chair on the other side of his desk, which meant he had a work assignment for me. At other times, he would gesture for me to sit in a chair behind a corner of his desk, meaning he was going to share some stories with me, which ranged from his time as governor to his pre-law firm years working with Walt and Roy Disney.
AGG: How do you enjoy spending your time when you are not working?
Bob Rothman: Dee and I enjoy traveling. We recently returned to London, where we had spent our honeymoon, to celebrate our 50th anniversary.
AGG: What’s one piece of wisdom or philosophy you carry with you outside of work?
Bob Rothman: Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words.
AGG: When you look back on your legacy, how would you like to be remembered — by the firm, by clients, and by colleagues?
Bob Rothman: I hope I will be remembered as a person who always gave my very best efforts to our clients and to my partners, even when, as was inevitable from time to time, the results came up short of our goals. I also hope I will be remembered as a person who gave back to the profession and to the community through pro bono legal work and a record of service to the bench and bar.
Bob played an integral role in building AGG’s legacy through meaningful advocacy, mentorship, and service, always guided by the belief that actions speak louder than words. We are grateful for the integrity and example he brought to the firm and look forward to following his next chapter as an author.