Derek Rocha

        Partner
        Contact Info
        Derek Rocha Derek Rocha

        Derek is a seasoned litigator who has experience representing his clients’ interests at all stages of litigation.

        Derek’s litigation practice focuses on complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts across multiple jurisdictions. He has experience representing businesses and individuals in a wide array of subject areas, including health care, financial services and banking, construction, commercial contracts, class actions, consumer protection, and business torts. Derek also assists clients in dispute avoidance by advising them on relevant legal and regulatory issues that impact their policies and procedures, and daily business operations. Regardless of the setting, Derek is a passionate advocate for his clients who analyzes complex legal issues and identifies effective strategies for their resolution.

        Derek has significant experience representing health care providers before state and federal courts and administrative agencies on matters ranging from patient privacy and standard of care disputes to fraud and abuse laws and investigations. He also advises health care providers in matters relating to Medicare and Medicaid, professional liability, and state laws pertaining to the provision of telehealth services.

        Derek’s banking and finance practice includes representing national banks and financial services companies in disputes arising out of the Dodd-Frank Act, the Uniform Commercial Code, and state and federal consumer protection laws and regulations. Derek has also advised banking clients on establishing the appropriate policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the National Bank Act, and various state laws pertaining to unclaimed property, garnishment of customer accounts, and trust management and conversions.

        During law school, Derek served as a judicial extern to the Honorable William P. Robinson III of the Rhode Island Supreme Court and was a Notes Editor for the Boston College Journal of Law & Social Justice.

        When he is not in the office, Derek can usually be found outside or in the kitchen. He enjoys hiking up and skiing down New England’s many mountains, as well as experimenting with new recipes, often with varying levels of success.

        Services/Industries

        Education

        • Boston College Law School (J.D., cum laude)
        • Boston College (B.A.)

        Bar Admissions

        • Rhode Island
        • Massachusetts

        Court and Other Admissions

        • U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island

        Memberships

        • American Bar Association
        • Massachusetts Bar Association
        • Boston Bar Association
        • Rhode Island Bar Association

        Honors

        • Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch® under Commercial Litigation in Boston, Massachusetts 
        • Selected by peers for inclusion in Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Stars under Employment and Labor
        • Selected by peers for inclusion in Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Stars under Business Litigation

        Learn more about the third-party ratings, rankings, and selection processes used for inclusion.

        Firm Highlights

        Blog

        Phil Bartlett to Step Down as Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission

        On September 15, 2026, Governor Janet Mills announced that Phil Bartlett will step down as Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC)...
        Published Works

        Jay McCormack and Michael Fee Co-Author AHLA Article on Skin Substitute Enforcement Trends

        Verrill Partners Jay McCormack and Michael Fee co-authored an article for the American Health Law Association's Fraud and Abuse Practice Group...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Health Care & Life Sciences Attorney Elpida Velmahos

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill is pleased to announce that Elpida Velmahos has joined the firm’s Health Care & Life Sciences Group as an...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Litigation & Trial Attorney Emma Pooler

        PORTLAND, Maine – Verrill is pleased to announce that Emma Pooler has joined the firm’s Litigation & Trial Group as an Associate, resident in...
        Published Works

        Four Verrill Attorneys Co-Author Massachusetts Trends and Developments Chapter for Chambers and Partners Child Relocation 2026 Guide

        Verrill attorneys Mary H. Schmidt, Rachel A. Deering, Hannah R. Zukoff, and Mariah G. Tappan co-authored the “Trends and Developments” chapter...
        Blog

        A New Protected Class in Maine: Holders of Final Protection Orders

        In the lead-up to Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, employers may be taking a closer look at how their policies and practices respond to...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        Verrill Secures SJC Victory for Boston Legacy FC in White Stadium Litigation

        Verrill has secured a significant appellate victory for Boston Legacy FC in the litigation challenging the redevelopment of White Stadium in...
        Blog

        Hurry Up and Wait

        This is the third in a series of Verrill blog posts on Maine’s packaging extended producer responsibility (“EPR”) law[1]. In July we reported...
        Media Mentions

        Robert Keach Discusses First Brands Chapter 11 Case in Law360

        Verrill attorney Robert Keach was recently quoted in a Law360 article examining the rejection of First Brands Group's Chapter 11 plan and the...
        Media Mentions

        Cybersecurity and AI Governance: Scott Anderson Featured in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

        Verrill Managing Partner Scott Anderson was recently featured in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly discussing how law firms can build attorney buy-in for...
        Blog

        Section 530A Account Update: ERISA Status of Trump Accounts

        The Department of Labor has issued important guidance addressing whether employer programs that permit contributions to Section 530A accounts (and...
        Press Releases

        97 Verrill Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers® 2027, Including Four Named Lawyers of the Year

        AUGUSTA, Maine, BANGOR, Maine, BOSTON, Mass., PORTLAND, Maine, and WESTPORT, Conn., (August 20, 2026) – Verrill is proud to announce that 97...