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Hon. Robert L. Steadman (Ret.)

T: 617-228-0200
F:617-228-0222
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Case Manager

Roxanne Zinkowitz
JAMS
One Beacon Street
Suite 2300
Boston, MA 02108-3106
617-228-9124 Phone
617-228-0222 Fax
Email:

Specialties

  • General
  • Arbitration
  • Business/Commercial
  • Construction Defect
  • Employment
  • Environmental
  • Insurance
  • Professional Liability

Locations

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Hon. Robert L. Steadman (Ret.) joined JAMS in 1996 following his retirement as Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court. A well respected dispute resolution professional, trial judge, and trial lawyer, Justice Steadman has over four decades of experience.

ADR Experience and Qualifications

  • Earned a reputation for expertise in complex cases involving civil litigation including products liability, legal and medical malpractice, general and premises liability, construction, employment, environmental, contractual and commercial disputes, business law, insurance coverage and re-insurance during his 17 years of service as a trial judge and his nearly ten years as a mediator and arbitrator

Representative Matters

  • Cutting edge medical technology and instruments controversy
  • Multiple deaths on the high seas - fishing vessel or survivors never found
  • Explosive destruction of business complex
  • Mysterious loss of world famous sailboat racer - insurance claim
  • $21,000,000 claim on lottery ticket

Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities

  • In honor of his distinguished career, Governor William F. Weld issued a proclamation commending Judge Steadman for his, "outstanding dedication and service to the Commonwealth" and proclaimed March 29, 1996 as Judge Robert L. Steadman Day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  • "The Judicial Merit Award," Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys
  • Cited by the Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association for "A Lifetime of Good Judgment"
  • "Man of the Year Award," Bar Association of Norfolk County
  • "Judicial Excellence Award," Massachusetts Judges Conference
  • Past chair, Litigation Section of the Boston Bar Association
  • Past president, Judge Murray Inns of Court
  • Justice Steadman served as a member of the Academic Committee of the Flaschner Judicial Institute. Among his many writings he authored, "An Overview of Products Liability" published by the Flaschner Judicial Institute. In recognition of more than a decade of teaching a trial advocacy workshop for aspiring trial lawyers, he was awarded a Certificate of Excellence in Trial Advocacy Instruction, by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education.

Background and Education

  • Chief Justice, Superior Court, State of Massachusetts, 1988-1996
  • Associate Justice, Superior Court, State of Massachusetts, 1979-1988
  • Regional Administrative Justice for Southeastern Counties, 1985
  • Trial attorney with an expertise in large complex cases including asbestos litigation, Steadman, Williams & Jackson, Boston, MA
  • Hospital trustee, Bank trustee and member Board of Investment, 1969-1980
  • Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws, Suffolk University Law School, 1992
  • J.D., Suffolk University Law School, 1951
  • Suffolk University, 1948