Chris DeRose (author)

Chris DeRose
Born	February 3, 1980
Occupation	Author, Lawyer
Alma mater	Northern Illinois University Pepperdine University School of Law
Website
chrisderosebooks.com

Chris DeRose is a New York Times bestselling, critically acclaimed American author and former professor of law. He presently serves as Senior Litigation Counsel for the Arizona Attorney General, representing the state in complex and Constitutional litigation in front of appellate courts and prosecuting major felonies on appeal. His latest book, The Presidents' War: Six American Presidents and the Civil War That Divided Them, is a chronicle of the five former presidents who lived to see the Civil War and their relationship with Abraham Lincoln. Previous works include Congressman Lincoln: The Making of America's Greatest President and "Founding Rivals: Madison vs. Monroe, the Bill of Rights, and the Election That Saved a Nation."

Early life and education

DeRose was born February 3, 1980 in Cicero, Illinois, where he lived until moving to the nearby town of North Riverside.

He attended Northern Illinois University from 1998 - 2001, graduated with a B.A. in political science from Grand Canyon University in 2002 and J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law in 2004.

Politics

DeRose volunteered on his first political campaign at the age of fifteen and during college interned on Capitol Hill for the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. He has since served in a variety of roles for candidates in five different states, including serving as Director of Election Day Operations for Governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell in 2009 and managing the early efforts of Congressman Sean Duffy in 2010.

Books

DeRose's first book, Founding Rivals: Madison vs. Monroe, the Bill of Rights, and the Election that Saved a Nation, was named by The Washington Post as one of the "Best Political Books of 2011" and by Human Events as a "Top Ten American History Book to Read this Summer."

The New York Times featured "Founding Rivals" in an article on the Congressional Book Club as a book popular with members of Congress.

Kirkus called Founding Rivals "A fresh, narrow, knowledgeable-of-minutia take on a well-known friendship and rivalry during the early establishment of the U.S. Constitution," with a "Compelling narrative throughout…A lively, clear-cut study of the myriad hurdles and uncertainty that characterized the first attempts to form the U.S. government.” Publishers Weekly described it as "An engaging account of the Republic’s contentious founding.”

His second book, Congressman Lincoln: The Making of America's Greatest President, released in 2013, was also selected as a Washington Post "Political Book of the Year." It made headlines when referenced by the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives in a memo to House members discussing Abraham Lincoln's views on government debt.

Booklist called Congressman Lincoln "a vibrant impression of Lincoln’s activity as he circulated through Washington’s political whirls. Lincoln fans will be absorbed by DeRose’s able account about the Thirtieth Congress’ representative from the Seventh Congressional District of Illinois." Library Journal called it "a gripping portrait of the young Lincoln and the polarized Congress in which he served."

Publisher's Weekly praised "The Presidents' War" as "a well-written, thorough, and engaging look into a unique political situation in American history." Kirkus called "The Presidents' War" "an informative compendium of the political struggles leading to the Civil War," and praised it for the "revelation of eye-opening facts that are otherwise overlooked." The Christian Science Monitor called it "fascinating."

Personal life

Prior to his work in national politics, writing, and academia, DeRose was a full-time practicing attorney in Phoenix. Notable representations included the high profile defense of a Police Chief threatened with termination, allegedly for arresting a County Supervisor and for firing an unqualified employee who was personal friends with the mayor.

DeRose was formerly a Visiting Assistant Professor of Law at the Arizona Summit Law School where he taught Constitutional Law, International Law, Voting Rights/Election Law, Trade Law, and Gaming Law.

He was selected as "Professor of the Year" by students for the 2014-2015 school year.

In 2014, the Phoenix Business Journal named DeRose among the "Top 40 Under 40" business leaders.

DeRose is a fellow of the British-American Project.

He lives in Phoenix, Arizona.