Robert Simpson's practice focuses on product liability, employment and business litigation. He represents major product manufacturers in a variety of matters ranging from automobiles to asbestos. He has also handled complex business and employment litigation matters involving fraud, unfair trade practices, tortious interference, class actions, non-compete agreements, confidentiality clauses, and employment discrimination. Robert also has a niche practice of representing the funeral home industry in administrative and litigation matters throughout the northeast.
Robert is a NITA instructor at the annual Connecticut Trial Advocacy Institute. He frequently lectures on e-discovery, the use of technology in the courtroom and litigation management. He also provides seminars and practical e-discovery management to numerous companies. Robert has tried numerous cases, both court and jury, in the Connecticut Superior Court, U.S. District Court and in the jurisdictions of Massachusetts and New York. He has also argued on various occasions before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the Connecticut Supreme Court.
- AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
- Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers: Litigation: General Commercial; 2003-2006
- Listed as a Connecticut Super Lawyer®: Civil Litigation Defense, Business Litigation; 2006-2012
- Lawyers of Color - High Achievers, Connecticut Law Tribune (2011)
- Community Service Award, Urban League of Greater Hartford (2009)
- 40 Under Forty, Hartford Business Journal (2004)
- James W. Cooper Fellow, Connecticut Bar Foundation (2003)
- New Leaders of the Law, Connecticut Law Tribune (2002)
- Judge Maxwell Heiman Memorial Award, Hartford County Bar Association (2002)
- Oliver Ellsworth Inns of Court
- American Bar Association: Co-Director of Division V - Substantive Areas of Litigation Committee; Co-Chair, Corporate Counsel Committee, Section of Litigation, 2006-2009; Co-Chair, Section Annual Conference, 2010, Section of Litigation; Managing Co-Director, Section of Litigation, 2010-Present; Advisory Committee, Section of Litigation, 2009; Advanced Planning Leadership Facilitation
- National Bar Association: Treasurer, Commercial Law Section; Chair, Corporate Recruitment Committee
- Connecticut Bar Association: Federal Judiciary Committee Member; House of Delegates; Executive Committee, Litigation Section
- Hartford County Bar Association: Board of Directors
- Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association, Member
- George W. Crawford Black Bar Association, Advisory Board Member
- Commission on Civil Court Alternative Dispute Resolution, Member
- Greater Hartford Legal Aid Foundation, Inc.: Board of Directors (Past)
- City of Hartford, Democratic Town Committee: General Counsel (Past)
- Hartford County Bar Foundation: Board of Directors
- Leadership Greater Hartford
- McDonough Mentoring Program: Founder; Mentor
- Pathfinder Scout Group: Drill Instructor
- Phi Beta Sigma
- Riverfront Recapture, Inc.: Board of Directors
$5.5 Million Judgement for Client Following a Trial Involving Antitrust, Unfair Trade Practices and Breach of Contract Claims
In a case on the Connecticut state court complex litigation docket, the owner of a large gasoline terminal sued our clients claiming antitrust violations, breach of contract, unfair trade practices, misrepresentation, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. All of the plaintiff’s claims were disposed of before trial, and the case went forward solely on our client’s counterclaim for breach of contract. After two trials and two appeals, the court awarded our clients $5.5 million in damages and attorneys' fees.