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Neutral Spotlight – Hon. Robert A. Greenberg (Ret.)

With over 80 distinguished Neutrals—including retired judges and seasoned attorneys—serving Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland, The McCammon Group is excited to continue our “Neutral Spotlight” series. This ongoing feature highlights the exceptional expertise, diverse experiences, and unique backgrounds of our Neutrals. Through these spotlights, we offer a closer look at the professionals who are committed to delivering fair, effective, and innovative dispute resolution services. Join us as we showcase the individuals who contribute to The McCammon Group’s reputation as a trusted leader in alternative dispute resolution.Greenberg Photo

  1. What was your first job?  I was a fry man at McDonald’s.
  2. What inspired you to pursue a career in law?   Watching the Watergate Hearings in 1972, and being impressed with the communication skills of the attorneys who participated.
  3. If you weren’t a lawyer or judge, what other career might you have pursued? I would have become a musician.
  4. If you could invite any three people (past or present) to a dinner party, who would you invite? I would invite my mother, who raised me by herself; my father, who died when I was very young; and my great-grandfather, who was a Civil War veteran.
  5. What’s a tradition or routine you look forward to every year?  Opening Day of baseball season.  I am a big baseball fan and played in a men’s senior league into my 60s.
  6. What qualities do you think are essential for someone in your role to be an effective neutral party?  A good mediator needs the ability to earn the trust of the participants.  This requires good communication skills and a winning personality.
  7. How do you handle situations where both parties seem unwilling to compromise?  I continually emphasize the pitfalls of a trial, and that good settlements are driven by fear of what could go sideways at trial. It’s also a good idea to ask one party what he/she would do if he/she were in the other party’s position.
  8. What’s one misconception parties often have about the role of the Neutral?  Sometimes one party seems to believe that it is the mediator’s job to convince the other side of the weakness of that party’s case, thus abandoning neutrality. 
  9. What trends or changes have you observed in dispute resolution over the years?  A belief by counsel that opening presentations are a waste of time is now in vogue.  In personal injury cases, I think it is essential for attorneys to make opening presentations so they can impress the insurance adjuster with their client.  I am always bewildered as to why Plaintiffs’ personal injury case counsel fails to take advantage of this opportunity.
  10. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, either personally or professionally?  “Ignore the noise.”  If what you are doing is right, don’t worry about what others may say about you.

    The Honorable Robert A. Greenberg joined The McCammon Group in 2022 after fifteen years of dedicated judicial service on the Circuit Court for Montgomery County including four years as Administrative Judge. Early in his legal career, Judge Greenberg served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Montgomery County.  He subsequently enjoyed a successful career in private practice, specializing in civil and criminal litigation.  Judge Greenberg is the 2022 Recipient of the Montgomery County Bar Association Jurist Award and the 2015 Recipient of the Maryland State Bar Association Anselm Sodaro Award for judicial civility. Among his many credentials, Judge Greenberg is currently an Emeritus Member of the Montgomery County Inns of Court and previously served as the Chairman of the Operations Subcommittee of the Equal Justice Committee. He is the author of articles for several legal and academic publications and continues to teach courses for new trial judges and court management personnel. Judge Greenberg now brings this exemplary record of dedication and experience to The McCammon Group to serve the mediation and arbitration needs of lawyers and litigants in Maryland and beyond.

WHAT LAWYERS AND LITIGANTS ARE SAYING:

  • "The mediator was essential to injecting reality into discussions."

  • "A truly excellent job; patient, thorough and helpful in evaluating options."

  • "Scheduling was easy, prompt and efficient."

  • "The mediator was extremely prepared, compassionate, and determined to assist the parties with reaching a resolution."

  • "We were able to settle a highly contentious case after years of litigation just a few weeks before trial."

  • "Great communication and easy to deal with. Excellent all around."

  • "The mediator was fair and understood how to convey the weakness of a case without being judgmental."

  • "I have always been favorably impressed by the Neutrals at The McCammon Group."

  • "The mediator handled a very difficult mediation with patience and humor."

  • "Extraordinary skill and persistence in successfully mediating a very difficult case."

  • "Very efficient and courteous."

  • "Sometimes the human side of these cases leaves the practical side and they seem impossible to settle. Your "never give up" attitude carried the day."

  • "You have rendered invaluable service to me and my clients in the past, and we will continue to call upon you in the future when the need for a highly-skilled professional mediator arises."

  • "The depth and quality of the available mediators is exceptional."

  • "It is always great to use McCammon instead of litigation!"

  • "The quality of your panel members allows choice and comfort in the knowledge that your matter will be fully and fairly heard and resolved."