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Thomas D. Robertson

President

Mr. Robertson focuses his practice in the areas of product liability, personal injury, and commercial litigation. He has tried numerous cases to verdict as lead counsel in multiple states. Although he typically defends large corporate clients, he has also tried cases on behalf of individual plaintiffs, with several verdict and settlement awards in excess of $1 million.

Prior to founding Tanenbaum Keale LLP, Mr. Robertson was a partner with Sedgwick LLP and the Managing Partner of the firm’s Newark, New Jersey, office. He was previously a partner with McCarter & English LLP.

Mr. Robertson is a Certified Civil Trial Attorney, having received this designation from the New Jersey Supreme Court in 1997, with regular recertification since that date. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and the Northern New Jersey Chapter of ABOTA. He is also designated as a Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

He is a former Trustee and past President of the Trial Attorneys of New Jersey (TANJ) and a member of the New Jersey State and Essex County Bar Associations.

Mr. Robertson has been awarded an “AV” rating by the Martindale-Hubbell attorney rating service, and has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2013-2022 editions of the Best Lawyers in America guide in the fields of mass tort litigation/class actions and product liability litigation. He is also recognized as a New Jersey Super Lawyer.

  • Represented a custom home builder and developer (plaintiff) as lead trial counsel in commercial litigation involving allegations of breach of contract, tortious interference and theft of trade secrets. This matter was successfully resolved on confidential terms after three trial days in the Chester County, Pennsylvania, Court of Common Pleas
  • Represented large manufacturing company in commercial litigation involving defense of indemnity claim pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement. Obtained trial verdict in favor of client rejecting multimillion-dollar indemnity claim and awarding return of counsel fees. Court of Common Pleas, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
  • Represented large manufacturer of construction equipment as defendant in a product liability action involving claims of design and warning defects resulting in a catastrophic injury to a 24-year-old laborer. Obtained favorable resolution after completion of trial and several days of jury deliberation. Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.
  • Represented large manufacturer of construction equipment as defendant in a product liability matter involving design and warning defect allegations resulting in traumatic leg amputations and multiple internal injuries. Obtained favorable resolution during jury trial. New York Supreme Court, Queens.
  • Represented large manufacturer of construction equipment as defendant in a product liability matter involving design and warning defect allegations resulting in traumatic leg amputation and other injuries to a laborer. Obtained unanimous defense jury verdict after multi-week trial.
New York Supreme Court, Albany.
  • Represented large manufacturer of construction equipment as defendant in a breach of contract and breach of warranty action arising out of an allegedly defective engine. Obtained favorable resolution during jury trial. Superior Court of New Jersey, Ocean County.
  • Represented large transportation company as defendant in a serious motor vehicle accident caused by an alleged defective tire on a passenger bus. Obtained a unanimous defense jury verdict during multi-week trial. Superior Court of New Jersey, Middlesex County.
  • Represented large transportation company as defendant on significant punitive damage claim arising out of a multiple-fatality bus accident. Obtained full dismissal of punitive damage allegation after several days of jury trial. State of New York, Livingston County.
  • Represented plaintiff in wrongful death action arising out of fatal truck accident resulting in death of 24-year-old female. Obtained multimillion-dollar recovery during jury trial. Superior Court of New Jersey, Passaic County.
  • Represented plaintiff in action against commercial property owner for defective condition on property causing fall and significant injuries. Obtained unanimous jury verdict in favor of plaintiff awarding $1.1 million. Superior Court of New Jersey, Middlesex County.
  • Represented large transportation company as defendant in a serious multi-vehicle collision resulting in catastrophic injuries to a 23-year-old female driver. Obtained favorable jury verdict. Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County.
  • Represented large transportation company as defendant in a wrongful death action involving a 21-year-old female whose vehicle was struck by the defendant tractor-trailer driver. After a multi-week trial, the jury returned a verdict of only $110K against the defendant client despite multimillion-dollar demand. Superior Court of New Jersey, Hudson County.
  • Represented large bus company as defendant in serious accident with a motor vehicle in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Obtained defense jury verdict. Superior Court of New Jersey, Atlantic County.
  • Represented municipality as defendant in discrimination suit involving claims of wrongful termination, discrimination and hostile work environment. Obtained unanimous defense jury verdict. Superior Court of New Jersey, Essex County.
  • Represented venture capital firm as defendant in AAA commercial litigation arbitration proceeding involving breach of contract action by former partner in investment fund involving multimillion-dollar damage claim. Obtained full defense ruling from arbitrator.
  • Represented large corporate conglomerate as defendant in commercial litigation involving disputed ownership of significant commercial real estate. Obtained full defense trial verdict. Superior Court of New Jersey, Essex County.
  • Represented municipality as defendant in a matter involving allegations of significant civil rights violations and other tortious conduct. Obtained unanimous defense jury verdict. Superior Court of New Jersey, Essex County.
  • Represented commercial landowner as defendant in a matter involving serious injuries sustained by a business invitee. Obtained a favorable resolution after matter was tried to conclusion. Superior Court of New Jersey, Mercer County.
  • J.D. (1990) Villanova University School of Law
  • B.A. (1986) Middlebury College
  • Co-Presenter, “Defending a Visibility Case Against a Manufacturer of Heavy Equipment”, Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ virtual Product Liability Seminar, August 2021