The Attorney
Russell Roby — NFA Attorney & Ex-CIA Officer
Trusted counsel for clients who value discretion and judgment.
My clients are serious people navigating consequential decisions — protecting a firearms legacy, preserving a federal career, or both. They expect direct access to their attorney, expect that attorney to understand their world, and expect results grounded in real experience — not theory.
Russell Roby, Esq.
I work with clients who value discretion, expect direct access to their counsel, and understand that experienced judgment cannot be replaced by a junior associate or an online form. Whether the matter involves an NFA firearms trust or a federal security clearance, I bring the same standard: careful, informed, first-person counsel — from someone who has been inside these systems himself.
My background — 25 years in federal intelligence, Maryland bar admission, and over 35 years as an active NFA firearms owner — is not a marketing credential. It is the source of the judgment I apply to every client matter. I have navigated the SF-86, the full-scope polygraph, and the ATF process personally. When I advise you, I am drawing on that experience, not approximating it.
Education
- J.D., Catholic University Columbus School of Law
- Graduate Certificate, University of Maryland School of Public Policy
- B.S., Old Dominion University
Bar Admission
Maryland — attorney-supported NFA trusts.
For clients outside Maryland, NFA trust documents are provided without ongoing attorney support, consistent with bar admission rules. Virginia clients requiring legal representation are referred to licensed Virginia counsel.
Background & Experience
- Retired CIA Officer — 25 years of service in the federal intelligence community
- Former federal law enforcement officer
- Over 35 years as an active shooter and NFA firearm owner
- NRA Life Member
- Personally navigated the SF-86, initial security approval, and full-scope polygraph numerous times
Russell Roby, Esq.
NFA Attorney & Retired CIA Officer
What This Means for You
You work directly with me — not a paralegal, not a form service, not a junior associate. Every question you ask is answered by the attorney whose name is on the door.
Discretion is not a feature I advertise — it is the foundation of how I practice. My clients include federal employees, cleared contractors, and firearms owners who have chosen not to trust their most sensitive matters to a commodity service.
Ready to Work Together?
Contact me for a free initial consultation. I'll respond within approximately one business day.
"As a retired CIA officer, I've personally navigated the SF-86, the initial approval process, and the full-scope polygraph. I know what adjudicators are looking for — because I've been on both sides of the process."
— Russell Roby, Esq.