Derek Rouse received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. He received a Masters in Public Administration from Troy University and a Juris Doctorate from Capital University Law. After law school, Mr. Rouse worked for Lister & Holt in Clayton County where he represented indigent defendants accused of misdemeanor charges in the county's state court.

In 2009, he accepted a position with the Office of the Public Defender in Fulton County and was promoted to the complex felony trial division. During his tenure as a Public Defender, he represented people accused of serious violent felonies in Superior Court.

Derek Rouse has since expanded his practice area to include general litigation.

Attorney Rouse is not afraid to go to court and truly believes that the law is a tool that should benefit all of society and not just those with money or status.  He believes that his job is to aggressively, passionately, and zealously represent his clients to achieve the client’s goals.

As an active member of his community, Attorney Rouse has serviced as President of his homeowners association since inception and as President of the River Road Community Coalition. He currently mentors several young men labeled as "at risk youth" to focus on the positive aspects of their lives.