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Robert Retic

As a disabled Navy veteran who had to fight for an increase in his own VA benefits, attorney Robert Retic knows firsthand the complications and frustrations veterans experience during the disability benefits application process.

Now, he combines that firsthand knowledge with his legal expertise to advocate for other veterans to ensure they receive the full range of medical care and disability benefits they earned through their military service. His goal is to be a champion for those who put their lives on the line daily to protect our country.

From a young age, Robert knew he wanted to be an attorney to put his natural skills and strengths to work for disadvantaged people. And he knew the military could help him reach that goal. He served in the Navy for almost five years as a cook, before being medically retired in 2017 at the rank of Petty Officer Second Class (E-5).

For a while, Robert considered joining the JAG Corps, but his own experiences as a disabled sailor sparked his interest in VA Disability law.

After clerking at Deuterman Law Group during law school and working with the firm’s VA Disability attorneys — who he describes as “gladiators in suits” because of their advocacy, passion, and dedication to their veteran clients — Robert knew he’d found his professional calling.

He gained additional professional experience in veterans’ law as a summer extern for Legal Aid of North Carolina. Robert also worked as a N.C. Superior Court judicial resident in Guilford County, conducting research and drafting orders on the judge’s behalf for various civil and criminal matters.

Robert graduated from Elon University Law School in 2024 and was admitted to the N.C. State Bar the following year. He is also licensed by the Minnesota Bar.

His law school classmates elected Robert as the student commencement speaker at graduation. While at Elon Law, Robert was a Leadership Fellow and president of the Military Law Society. A father of four, Robert was vice president of Elon’s Parents Attending Law School (PALS) group. In addition, he was a research assistant for Elon Law’s Legal Method & Communication Program.

He also was featured as the face of a marketing collaboration between Elon Law and Action Greensboro.

During law school, Robert volunteered with the Wills for Heroes program, helping military veterans and first responders with will and advance directives planning. He also volunteered as a groundskeeper for the Creative Aging Network in Greensboro as part of the Elon Law Reaches Out program for first-year law students. He continues his volunteer work as a mentor to a North Carolina Central University School of Law student.

A native of Memphis, Tenn., Robert also lived in Hawaii, West Virginia, and New York during his military career and afterwards.

He began his undergraduate studies at Chaminade University in Honolulu, before transferring to The College of Saint Rose in Albany, N.Y. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, Behavior, and Law, magna cum laude, from The College of Saint Rose. As an undergraduate, Robert was on the Dean’s list eight times, a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success (Presidential List), a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, and a member of the Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society.

During his military service, Robert earned the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal twice, the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Robert is a member of the N.C. Bar Association, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ),  the National Organization for Veterans’ Advocates (NOVA), and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC).

Robert lives in High Point with his wife, who is also retired from the U.S. Navy, and their three young children. They also have a 22-year-old son.

Outside of work, Robert enjoys spending quality time with his family. They enjoy kayaking, hiking, biking and other outdoor activities. He is also a fan of mystery novels.