Robert E. Slota Jr., 51, lawyer

Robert E. Slota Jr., 51, of Villanova, principal partner of Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin in Lansdale, died Sunday, Nov. 24, of heart failure at Bryn Mawr Hospital.

For 25 years, Mr. Slota specialized in the legal field of medical malpractice and workers' compensation, handling personal injury and death claims.

His work focused on instances of alleged medical errors and misdiagnosis, spinal cord and brain injuries, and misdiagnosis of cancer.

Over the years, he also handled cases of alleged nursing home neglect and abuse, lack of school safety, automobile accidents, product liability, premises liability, insurance bad faith, and employment discrimination.

"Bob was especially active in protecting the rights of disabled children, both in obtaining compensation for their injuries and securing their rights under federal and state special-education and civil rights laws," his online biography said.

He also represented corporate clients in commercial litigation.

Other lawyers thought so highly of Mr. Slota's judgment that the courts in Pennsylvania appointed him to serve as a special representative, or guardian, in cases involving the rights of injured children.

Mr. Slota was elected president of the Montgomery Bar Association in 2007. The group is made up of 2,000 lawyers.

During his yearlong tenure, he educated the public on what lawyers do, developed a groundbreaking mediation program for medical errors cases, and taught the public the importance of Pennsylvania's judicial election process.

For his efforts, Mr. Slota received the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Distinguished Bar President Award.

His son Robert E. Slota III said his father was thrilled to have a leading role with the association.

"It was not a chore for him," his son said. "He was proud of what he did there."

Born in Philadelphia and raised in Penn Valley, Mr. Slota was a graduate of Devon Preparatory School. He earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Notre Dame in 1984 and a law degree from Georgetown University Law School in 1987.

His family lived in Wayne and then Villanova.

In his spare time, Mr. Slota surfed, sailed, and worked out. He enjoyed the ocean in Sea Isle City, N.J.

His son said Mr. Slota was "incredible" to spend time with. "He was a head of household and provider, and took great care of us, not out of obligation, but love. He was a great man in that traditional sense of what fathers should be."

The family of two parents and three children had a motto, Mr. Slota's son said: "Five makes a fist - a whole hand, forever connected."

In addition to his son, Mr. Slota is survived by his wife, the former Carolyn Curran; another son, John P.; a daughter, Kelly; his parents, Robert and Deanna Slota; a brother; a sister; his grandmother Esther Deodati Nopper; seven nieces; and two nephews.

Services were Saturday, Nov. 30.

Contributions may be made to St. Aloysius Academy, 401 S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr, Pa. 19010.