Robert L. Dossee
Associate Justice
State of California Court of Appeal
First Appellate District, Division One
Marathon Plaza - South Tower
303 Second Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94107
Telephone: (415) 396-9670
Fax Number: (415) 243-8912
e mail: justice_r._dossee@1dca.jud.state.ca.us
GENERAL BACKGROUND
Native and resident of San Francisco, California
EDUCATION
St. Ignatius High School, San Francisco
University of Santa Clara, B.S. degree in Political Science
University of San Francisco School of Law
MILITARY
Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, upon graduating from the University of Santa Clara and, after fulfilling active duty and reserve commitments, was honorably discharged as a Captain.
LEGAL EXPERIENCE
1990 - Appointed to California Court of Appeal by Governor George Deukmejian where continuing to serve as an Appellate Justice.
1979 - Appointed by Governor Edmund Brown, Jr. to the San Francisco Superior Court where served until 1990 as a Trial Judge in both the criminal and civil courts. Additional assignments included management of all asbestos litigation in San Francisco (approximately 2,600 cases), general civil trials, one of four judges assigned to the Fast Track trial court experiment under California Assembly Bill 3300, and Assistant Presiding Judge.
1972 - Appointed by Governor Ronald Reagan to the San Francisco Municipal Court. Served until 1979 as Trial Judge in both civil and criminal courts, as well as Presiding Judge.
As an attorney for twelve years, specialized in personal injury trial practice and insurance law with the law firm of Hauerken, St. Clair, Zappettini & Hines and the trial staff defending the State Division of Highways throughout California.
Upon graduation from Law School received a one year appointment as Law Clerk for the Honorable M. Oliver Koelsch, United States 9th Circuit Court of Appeal.
JUDICIAL HONORS & ACTIVITIES
Served as a faculty member, lecturer, seminar leader and moderator of numerous programs for the California Center for Judicial Education and Research, the California Judicial College, the California Judges' Association, the Rutter Group, the Continuing Education of the Bar and the American Inns of Court. The subject matter of these programs has included insurance litigation, personal injury and settlement, civil law and procedure, the contempt power, asbestos litigation, child abuse and family violence cases, trial practice and criminal law and procedure.
In 1997 served as lecturer and seminar leader at Vietnamese Judges’ Seminar in Ho Chi Minh City. This five day program was sponsored by the University of San Francisco and the Netherlands Organization for International Development and Cooperation.
In 1997 appointed by Hon. Ronald M. George, Chief Justice of California, to serve as chairperson of Judicial Council’s Mediation Task Force.
Elected Assistant Presiding Judge of San Francisco Superior Court in 1990.
From 1990 to the present, member of Settlement Committee of Court of Appeal, State of California, First Appellate District.
Recipient of Trial Judge of the Year Award (1988) by San Francisco Trial Lawyers' Association.
Co-author of Part V of the California Judicial College Notebook, dealing with the subject of contempt; published in 1978, with subsequent supplements.
Presiding Judge of all courts of the criminal division, San Francisco Superior Court, July 1981 - July 1982.
Elected Presiding Judge of San Francisco Municipal Judge in November 1978.
In 1978, appointed to the Civil Law and Procedures Committee of the California Judges' Association.
In 1977, appointed to the California State Bar Committee on Criminal Procedures.
ORGANIZATIONS
Commonwealth Club of California,
Chairperson of International Relations Committee
(1995 to the present);
Quarterly Chairman (1979)
Director for University of San Francisco Law Society
(1976 - 1979)
University of San Francisco Alumni Association
University of Santa Clara Alumni Association
Lawyers Club of San Francisco
St. Thomas More Society
Hibernia Newman Club
California Judges Association
Former member of March of Dimes Board of Directors
Former member of San Francisco Special Olympics,
Advisory Board