Born and raised in Stuttgart, and educated at UALR, Terry L. Derden is now the deputy director and chief of staff for “the greatest law firm in the world” – the executive office of United States Attorneys.
Derden earned a UALR degree in political science in 1976 and a J.D. from UALR’s William H. Bowen School of Law in 1976, immediately launching his justice career in the Eastern District of Arkansas working in financial litigation. He advanced to senior litigation and from there to prosecuting violators of federal law as criminal chief and assistant U.S. attorney in Idaho and assistant counsel in Justice’s Office of Professional Responsibility in Washington.
“I think the Department of Justice is the greatest law firm in the world,” said Derden. “It has always been my dream to work at the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, and I am very proud to serve with the women and men there to meet the needs of our U.S. attorney family.”
His UALR education served him well as he worked in a number of federal districts in several states fighting crime, terrorism, and other wrongdoing. He has prosecuted international and domestic terrorism, narcotics cases, asset forfeiture, gun crime, white collar crime, general civil litigation, torts, collections, forfeiture, and foreclosures.
Derden has argued successfully cases before 8th and 9th U.S. Courts of Appeal and has lectured extensively throughout the country.
Growing up in a family of five boys, Derden said his brothers encouraged him to attend UALR. Now, he and his wife Cathy Olberts Derden, Class of ’79, have four grown children and two grandchildren. Both are members of the Bowen Law Alumni Association as well as the UALR Alumni Association Washington D.C. chapter.
“This is a great opportunity to connect with old friends, visit with professors who shaped our careers, and support the University,” Terry Derden said.