Paul M. Robertson
Partner
Paul Robertson is a seasoned trial lawyer and trusted advisor who represents businesses and individuals in complex commercial disputes, both in the courtroom and before arbitration panels in the U.S. and abroad. With decades of experience litigating high-stakes matters, Paul has tried cases to verdict and successfully resolved hundreds of disputes across federal and state courts, administrative agencies, and arbitral tribunals.
Paul’s clients range from global institutions to closely held businesses, including notable representations of the New England Patriots, the Kingdom of Spain, and, on a pro bono basis, victims of the September 11 World Trade Center attacks. He regularly handles matters involving commercial contracts, business torts, professional liability, and fiduciary disputes. His arbitration work includes multi-jurisdictional proceedings in Europe and the U.S., often involving complex procedural and choice-of-law issues.
In addition to his trial practice, Paul is nationally recognized for his work in electronic discovery and international data governance. He co-founded and led the e-discovery practice at his earlier firm, Bingham McCutchen LLP. He also co-founded the Sedona Conference Working Group on International Electronic Information Management, and has advised multinational corporations on defensible information governance, cross-border data transfers, and litigation preparedness. Paul has been a frequent speaker and author on these topics and others, and has presented at conferences throughout the U.S. and Europe. The Judicial Conference’s Advisory Committee on the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure invited Paul to appear before it to address proposed Rule amendments related to the treatment of electronic documents.
Paul also cofounded and for years lead the Friends of Lynn & Nahant Beach, Inc., served on the Board of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Southern New England, and was Co-President of the Boston Inn of Court.
Professional Associations
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- Provisors
Publications
- When it Comes to Global Data Privacy Compliance, All Roads Lead to the EU’S GDPR!
- Data Privacy Compliance Begins with an Understanding of the Jargon Used
- The Nine Simple Reasons Why Global Data Privacy Law is so Complex
- Privacy and Data Security Practice Portfolio Series, Chapter II: Cross-Border Data Transfers, published in Bloomberg Law, by The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (2022) (with Melanie J. McCauley).
- The Sedona International Overview of Discovery, Data Privacy & Disclosure Requirements, published by the Sedona Conference Working Group 6 on International Electronic Information Management, Discovery & Disclosure (2009) (creator and contributing editor).
- The Sedona Framework for Analysis of Cross-Border Discovery Conflicts: A Practical Guide to Navigating the Competing Currents of International Data Privacy and e-Discovery, published by The Sedona Conference, Working Group 6 (2008) (senior editor).
- A View from the Trenches: The New [Federal E-Discovery] Rules from the Perspective of Litigation Counsel, in E-Discovery under the New Federal Rules published by Suffolk University Law School Center for Advanced Legal Studies, sponsored by the Federal Bar Association and the Federal Circuit Bar Association (2006).
- Electronic Discovery: A Survey of Relevant Law and Recent Developments, in the Section of Litigation’s Winter Issue, published by the American Bar Association (2005) (with Lawrence T. Stanley, Jr.).
- Electronic Discovery Chapter, in Massachusetts Discovery Practice, published by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, John A. Houlihan, Ed., Boston, MA, (2002 & Supp. 2005) (with Charles R. Kellner).
- Rules 33 and 34: E-Documents and the Form of Production, in 73 Fordham Law Rev. 33 (2004) (with David R. Buchanan, Adam I. Cohen, and Hon. James C. Francis, IV).
- Massachusetts and Federal Law Concerning the Obligation to Preserve and Produce Electronic Documents, published by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (2003) (with Hon. Nonnie S. Burnes, Hon. Robert P. Collings, and William F. Benson).
- Chapter on Computer Forensics, in Massachusetts Expert Witnesses, published by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Hon. Peter M. Lauriat, et al., Eds., Boston, MA (2002) (with Charles R. Kellner).
- Chapter on Massachusetts Law, in the Tort Law Desk Reference: A Fifty State Compendium, published by Aspen Publishers, Inc., Morton F. Daller, Ed., (1999-2006) (with Francis H. Fox).