James K. Robertson Jr.

Partner

Waterbury
jrobertson@carmodylaw.com

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203.575.2636

Legal Services

Education

University of Connecticut School of Law, J.D., 1974 ~ with honors
Yale University, B.A., 1970 ~ cum laude
Hartford Seminary, M.A., 1998

Admissions

Bar Admissions

Connecticut

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. Federal Circuit

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Home » Our Team » James K. Robertson Jr.

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.

“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

Local Litigation Star, Benchmark Litigation, 2008-2015, 2019-2023
Top tier Senior Statespeople ranking, Chambers USA Guide - Litigation: General Commercial, 2023
2011 Distinguished Graduate Award from the University of Connecticut School of Law
Best Lawyers®, 1995-present
Connecticut Super Lawyers® - Civil Litigation Defense, 2006-2021; 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.

31 Carmody Attorneys Selected to the 2021 Super Lawyers^®, Rising Stars in Connecticut Lists

October 12, 2021

Carmody is proud to announce the selection of 31 of its attorneys to the Connecticut Super Lawyers® or Rising Stars lists for 2021. Selected attorneys are noted below. Each year, no more than 5% of the lawyers in the state are selected as Super Lawyers® and no more than 2.5%
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Carmody attorneys named to The Best Lawyers in America 2022 List

September 20, 2021

Carmody is pleased to announce that 30 attorneys have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2022. Three Carmody attorneys have also been recognized as "Lawyer of the Year". Congratulations to David T. Grudberg, William J. Hennessey, Jr. and Peter M. Nolin. Only one lawyer is recognized
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