Watertown Resident and Senior Attorney James K. Robertson Jr. Named Benchmark Litigation Star
Carmody partner James K. Robertson Jr. was named a Benchmark Litigation Star for 2026, as featured in Town Times.
James K. Robertson Jr.
Partner
James K. Robertson Jr.
Partner
Jim has been first chair in over 50 jury trials and 100 court trials in state and federal courts. He serves as national coordinating counsel of product liability claims for numerous manufacturers, and is frequently selected as a special master, arbitrator and mediator. Jim has served as a Superior Court judge and as the firm’s Managing Partner. He is an ordained Congregational Minister and serves as the Associate Minister of the Watertown Congregational Church.
“James Robertson is recognized for his experience representing clients in appeals, arbitrations and mediations. He handles a wide range of issues including environmental matters and licensing disputes.”
Chambers USA Guide 2025
“He provided extraordinarily sound advice around resolution.”
Chambers USA Guide, 2023
“He’s terrific. He’s client-centric, very knowledgeable and a very great counselor.”
Chambers USA Guide, 2022
“Jim is an exceptional lawyer”
Chambers USA Guide, 2021
Affiliations
Connecticut Defense Lawyers Association: past Board member and President
Connecticut Bar Foundation: past Chairman, Kravitz Symposium on the Vanishing Trial
Connecticut Judicial Selection Commission: past Commissioner and Chairman
Connecticut Bar Association: past Co-Chairman, Committee to Establish Lawyer Assistance Program
Distinctions
Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers® in New Haven, Connecticut – Arbitration, 2025
Best Lawyers®, 1995-present
Litigation Star, Benchmark Litigation, 2008-2015, 2019-2026
Top tier Senior Statespeople ranking, Chambers USA Guide – Litigation: General Commercial, 2023-2025
2011 Distinguished Graduate Award from the University of Connecticut School of Law
Connecticut Super Lawyers® – Civil Litigation Defense, 2006-2025; Top 10 Connecticut Super Lawyers®, 2009; Connecticut Top 50 Super Lawyers®, 2006-2011, 2018, 2020-2022
New England Super Lawyers® – Civil Litigation Defense, 2007-2016; New England Top 100 Super Lawyers®, 2007-2012, 2016
S. District Court, District of Connecticut Special Master, 1997-present
Community
- Chair of the Board of Trustees, The Hartford Seminary
- Board of the Connecticut Junior Republic Association, Inc.
- The Hartford Seminary: service as Board Vice Chairman and Treasurer; taught graduate courses on The Causes and Origin of Evil and Systematic Theology
- The University of Connecticut School of Law: past President of the University of Connecticut School of Law Foundation; taught course on The Legislative Process for several years; recipient of the Distinguished Graduate Award
- Connecticut Humanities Counsel, past Board member and Chairman
- United Church of Christ, past Moderator of the local, Connecticut and national settings
- Connecticut Junior Republic, Board member
- Board Membership: past service on boards of Mattatuck Museum, Waterbury Symphony, Visiting Nurses Association
Experience
Lead trial counsel in a federal jury trial involving antitrust violations, trade secret misappropriation and computer crimes. Client prevailed on all claims, resulting in a judgement of nearly $65 million.
Secured what is believed to be the largest punitive damage award (over $27 million) in the history of the State of Connecticut.
Secured a $25 million settlement in a trade secrets and unfair trade practices case.
Lead trial counsel defending a trailer manufacturer accused of causing the deaths and serious injuries of eight Yale students riding in an SUV that struck a disabled trailer while returning from a fraternity initiation. After a five-week trial in federal court, the jury returned within one hour with a defense verdict.
Part of a small team of the firm’s lawyers that defended a national gas transmission pipeline company that provided gas to a major plant being constructed in Connecticut. Several workers were killed, and many were injured when the plant exploded.
Lead counsel defending gas company that was sued when gas leaked into a restaurant, causing it to explode, resulting in deaths and serious injuries.
Represented Connecticut’s governor in lawsuits brought by major media and employee unions.
Represented Connecticut’s Chief Court Administrator and Chief Justice in lawsuits brought by major media and others arising from judicial confidentiality disputes.
Lead counsel representing major train manufacturers in cases arising from train derailment and explosion in Canada that resulted in deaths of 49 residents and the destruction of a village.
Served as Guardian Ad Litem for beneficiaries in dispute over multi-million trust.
Served as lead Special State’s Attorney representing State in several appeals of criminal cases.
Lead trial counsel successfully representing franchisees in their claim of unfair trade practices against national franchisor, resulting in award of $1.8 million.
Lead counsel representing wholesalers in their claims against State for unconstitutional retroactive imposition of escheat law.
Lead counsel representing racetrack in its claims of unlawful zoning regulations by town, and in defense of injunctive actions brought by town residents.
Served as court-appointed Special Master in action between government contractors and in numerous tort claims against hospital alleging sexual abuse by doctor.
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Title Insurer Beats Ex-Board Member’s Fiduciary Duty Claims
Carmody lawyers James Robertson, Brian Henebry, and Eric Herst recently secured the early dismissal of fiduciary duty claims that were asserted against its corporate clients and several individual board members on the ground that the defendants owed no fiduciary duty to the Plaintiff, a fellow director, as reported in Law
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Carmody Lawyers Ranked in More Than 30 Areas of Law by Best Lawyers in 2026
Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP has received more than 110 accolades across over 30 areas of law and across all its offices in Connecticut, in the 32nd edition of The Best Lawyers in America® 2026. Forty-nine Carmody lawyers are named to the ‘Best Lawyers’ list for Stamford and New
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2025 Professionalism Boot Camp
Carmody partner James K. Robertson Jr. will be moderating four hours of ethics education. Lawyers will learn essential skills needed to practice professionally, effectively, and ethically, and hear about the following topics: The dual identity of attorneys and lawyers - advocates in the courtroom and counselors in society, and how
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