Picture of Robert J. Foster

Robert J. Foster

Partner

Robert J. Foster, Partner in the Firm’s Litigation Group, handles a wide variety of complex litigation matters, including class actions, minority shareholder disputes, unfair competition claims, personal injury, first party claims, UM/UIM arbitrations, insurance coverage claims, bad faith and professional liability claims. He also has extensive appellate experience and has been asked to participate as Amicus Curiae by many prestigious organizations including the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association. Additionally, Mr. Foster has been a consultant to many companies regarding licensing, trademark and copyright issues.

Mr. Foster is a frequent speaker at continuing legal education seminars on a wide range of subjects including  indemnification agreements, subrogation and liens, legal research and writing, technology, evidence, discovery, insurance coverage disputes, bad faith and the Fair Share Act.  In addition to his lecturing, Mr. Foster has moderated an annual Judicial Forum on litigation techniques which feature judges from multiple jurisdictions in the Philadelphia region.  The materials prepared for this seminar are used in similar forums conducted across the country.

Mr. Foster currently serves as an adjunct professor at Drexel University in the LeBow College of Business.  From 2001-2018, Mr. Foster served as an adjunct professor at Temple University where he taught Legal and Ethical Issues in Sports and Recreation. He has been certified by the NFL and NBA Players Associations as a player representative. He has negotiated marketing deals on behalf of athletes and companies, has advised sports facilities, organizations and professional teams on risk management and contractual issues, and has provided consultation and legal services to writers, musicians and professional athletes. Additionally, he has engaged in national webcasts and has written articles on liability matters facing amateur sports organizations.

Mr. Foster also serves as Judge Pro Tempore with the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, serving as a settlement master. He has served as an arbitrator on dozens of occasions, often as the chairperson, and has served as a Special Master at the request of the Court. Mr. Foster applies a neutral view towards any assignment, drawing on his diverse experiences on both sides of civil litigation. His extensive background and exceptional ability to comprehend and break down new and complex legal issues are invaluable assets in these endeavors.

Education

J.D., Georgetown University Law Center (1991)
magna cum laude, Order of the Coif

B.A., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (1988)
with Distinction & Honors

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice Pennsylvania
U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania
Positions Held

Adjunct Professor, Drexel University LeBow College of Business (2021)
Adjunct Professor, Temple University School of Tourism and Hospitality (2001-2018)
Certified NBA Player Representative (1995-1998)
Certified NFL Player Representative (1995-1996)
Judge Pro Tempore, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas

Civic & Charitable Associations
Ambler Borough Council, Zoning Hearing Board
Big Brothers/Big Sisters Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Speaking Engagements & Presentations
Moderator, Mini Med School for Attorneys. The National Business Institute. (March 13, 2020)
Moderator, What Civil Court Judges Want You to Know. The National Business Institute. (November 15, 2019)
Moderator, Civil Court Judicial Forum. The National Business Institute. (April 12, 2019)
Presenter, Find it Free and Fast on the Net: Strategies for Legal Research on the Web. The National Business Institute. (August 2, 2018)
Presenter, Anatomy and Physiology 101 for AttorneysThe National Business Institute. (July 27, 2018)
Presenter, Negotiating Claims with Insurance CompaniesThe National Business Institute. (June 15, 2018)
Moderator, What Civil Court Judges Want You to Know. The National Business Institute. (December 1, 2017)
Presenter, Human Resource Law. The National Business Institute. (May 25, 2017)
Moderator, As Judges See It: Best (and Worst) Practices in Civil Litigation. The National Business Institute. (October 21, 2016)
Presenter, Insurance Bad Faith "Set-Up" in Pennsylvania. The National Business Institute. (September 23, 2016)
Presenter, The Preliminary Objection: Strategic Guidance for Filing. The Pennsylvania Bar Institute. (August 4, 2016)
Presenter, Indemnification Clauses: Risks vs. Rewards. The Pennsylvania Bar Institute. (November 4, 2015)
Presenter, The Rules of Evidence: A Practical Toolkit. National Business Institute. (December 12, 2014)
Presenter, Using Valuations and Expert Witness Appraisers in the Courtroom. Pennsylvania Bar Institute. (December 4, 2014)
Moderator, Civil Court Judicial Forum: Advanced Discovery and Trial Practice. National Business Institute. (November 14, 2014)
Presenter, How to Draft an Indemnification Agreement. The Pennsylvania Bar Institute. (November 12, 2014)
Presenter, The Medicare “Super Lien” and Other Liens Simplified. National Business Institute. (April 25, 2014)
Presenter, The 16th Annual Personal Injury Potpourri. DRI Institute. (April 2014)
Moderator, As Judges See It: Top Mistakes Attorneys Make in Civil Litigation. National Business Institute. (December 5, 2013)
Presenter, Advanced Issues in Personal Injury Litigation. National Business Institute. (November 20, 2013)
Moderator, Civil Court Judicial Forum: Advanced Discovery and Trial Practice. National Business Institute. (November, 2013)
Presenter, Handling Complex Auto Insurance Coverage Disputes. National Business Institute. (June 13, 2013)
Presenter, Building Your Civil Trial Skills. National Business Institute. (March 28, 2013)
Presenter, Dirty Litigation Tactics: How to Deal with the “Rambo” Litigator. National Business Institute. (February 1, 2013)
Presenter, Bad Faith Insurance Claims in Pennsylvania. National Business Institute. (January 17, 2013)
Presenter, Damages in Personal Injury. National Business Institute. (August 29, 2012)
Presenter, Hearsay Objections and Exceptions. National Business Institute. (July 27, 2012)
Presenter, Damages in Personal Injury. National Business Institute. (April 29, 2012)
Presenter, Liability Claims in High School Athletics. National Webcast. (2012)
Presenter, Litigating Insurance Coverage Claims: From Start to Finish. National Business Institute. (2012)
Presenter, Litigating the Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Claim. National Business Institute. (Annual Seminar, 2008-2012) 
Moderator, What Civil Court Judges Want You to Know. National Business Institute. (Annual Seminar, 2006-2012)
Presenter, Insurance Law: Third Party Coverage in Pennsylvania. National Business Institute. (2005)
Presenter, Ethical Issues in Insurance Litigation Webcast Seminar. National Business Institute. (October 19, 2004)
Presenter, Advanced Litigation Skills Certificate Program. National Business Institute. (2004)
Presenter, Find it Free and Fast on the Net: Advanced Internet Strategies for the Legal Professional. National Business Institute. (Annual Seminar, 2003 – 2011)
Presenter, Challenges in Insurance Coverage Litigation. National Business Institute. (2003)
Presenter, Emerging Issues in Pennsylvania Insurance Coverage Law. National Business Institute. (2003)
Presenter, Advanced Legal Drafting for Pennsylvania Paralegals. Institute for Paralegal Education. (2003)
Presenter, Internet Basics for the Pennsylvania Attorney. National Business Institute. (2002)
Presenter, Bad Faith Insurance Claims in Pennsylvania. National Business Institute. (2000, 2004, 2005 and 2013)
Presenter, Advanced Issues in Legal Technology for the Delaware Paralegal. Institute for Paralegal Education. (2000 and 2001)
Presenter, Powerful Legal Writing in Pennsylvania. National Business Institute. (2000)
Presenter, Survival Tactics for Philadelphia County Courts. Pennsylvania Bar Institute. (1999)
Presenter, Effective Legal Writing for Paralegals in Pennsylvania. Institute for Paralegal Education. (1998, 2003)
Presenter, Practice Legal Research and Analysis for the Paralegal in Pennsylvania. Institute for Paralegal Education. (1996 and 2003) 
Publications & Press Mentions
Author, Navigating Through the 'Additional Insured' EndorsementThe Legal Intelligencer. (August 29, 2016)
Author, There Is More to Life Than Billable Hours. The Legal Intelligencer. (September 23, 2014)
Author, Will Your Emails Come Back to Haunt You? Reger Rizzo & Darnall Client Alert. (July 2014)
Author, Litigation Impact of Joint and Several Liability Abolishment. The Legal Intelligencer. (November 5, 2013)
Author, Do the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Laws Apply to Real Estate Transactions? Reger Rizzo & Darnall Client Alert. (Fall 2013)
Author, PA Supreme Court Upholds Waiver Of Claims Clause In Employment Contracts. Reger Rizzo & Darnall Client Alert. (July 2013)
Author, Protecting The Corporate Veil. Reger Rizzo & Darnall Client Alert. (October 2012)
Quoted, Suit filed over foul ball. USA Today. (February 5, 2005)