Hon. Robert O'Conor (Ret.)

After an illustrious legal career in public service as United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas District in the Laredo, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, and Houston Divisions, Judge Robert O’Conor, Jr. is applying his vast experience and knowledge to alternative dispute resolution by handling mediations and arbitrations for NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation).

During his decade long tenure as District Judge, he presided over all federal civil and criminal dockets of the district and handled matters that included Title VII, the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), admiralty, governmental entities, constitution, patent, maritime, federal claims and civil rights matters (including the Houston Independent School District desegregation case). He was appointed District Judge by President Gerald Ford in 1975.

Judge O’Conor resigned from the bench in 1984 and has resumed the practice of law in Houston where he specializes in personal injury, federal and state litigation of medical negligence, premises and product liability, Jones Act, vehicular accidents, toxic torts, wrongful death and complex commercial contracts. He is board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Prior to his tenure on the bench, Judge O’Conor practiced general law that involved state and federal civil and criminal litigation, both plaintiff and defendant, personal injury litigation, probate, family law, election law, real property transactions, international trade and customs law, civil criminal appeals in state and federal courts.

With decades of trial experience – including years of courtroom hours as a federal district judge in a broad spectrum of cases – Judge O’Conor has garnered a reputation of being a hard-working and detail oriented jurist. With his even-handed disposition, he brings to the ADR arena strong negotiation and settlement skills that he honed as lawyer and trial judge. He is well-versed in the law and is dedicated to the efficient and effective resolution of every case he handles. Judge O’Conor has received the highest rating (“AV”) from Martindale-Hubbell, – a distinction given only to those who possess the highest ethical standards and professional ability.

The Honorable Robert O’Conor, Jr. is available to arbitrate and mediate cases throughout the United States.