Hon. Kathleen A. Roberts (Ret.) has been a full-time mediator, arbitrator, and special discovery master since 1995. She is highly regarded for her skillful facilitation, careful neutral evaluation, and persistence in resolving all types of disputes, and for her ability to manage complex arbitrations and provide well-reasoned awards.
ADR Experience and Qualifications
- As a United States Magistrate Judge (SDNY) from 1985-1995, she adjudicated, supervised discovery, and settled hundreds of cases in all areas of federal litigation
- Since joining JAMS, Judge Roberts has successfully mediated dozens of disputes in commercial, employment compensation and discrimination, securities, intellectual property, insurance coverage, environmental, and personal injury/product liability cases
- Arbitrated dozens of complex commercial, employment, insurance, and other cases since 1995
Representative Matters
- Mediation of a multi-million dollar class action against a major restaurant chain, asserting claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act
- Mediation of a breach of contract dispute between a national hospitality chain and accounting software consultants
- Mediation of a number of sensitive gender discrimination claims brought by high level employees of major financial institutions
- Mediation of a "multi-media" EPA enforcement action against a major pharmaceutical manufacturer, involving allegations under the Clean Water Act, RCRA, and EPCRA
- Mediation of multiple related securities class actions asserting claims pertaining to the sale of limited partnerships by a major financial institution
- Arbitration of several complex insurance coverage disputes pertaining to credit default insurance for automobiles and medical equipment
- Arbitration, under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce, of a dispute between a United States software manufacturer and its Taiwanese distributor, and a dispute between partners in numerous business ventures in Russia and the former Soviet Union
- Appointed as a discovery master by federal and state courts to supervise discovery and review privileged documents in complex commercial, patent, and product liability cases, and as an election monitor for unions under court supervision