Robert H. Joost
LawyerUnited States
Died 2008
Robert H. Joost was an American lawyer and public-policy specialist best known for his work on no-fault automobile insurance. He served on the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee staff and later wrote Automobile Insurance and No-Fault Law, a major legal treatise on the subject. [1]
Career and work
Joost graduated from Yale University and earned his law degree from Harvard Law School, where he served as an editor of the Harvard Law Review. He briefly taught at New England School of Law and worked for a New York law firm before moving to Washington. [1]
In 1972, he joined the staff of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, where he worked on legislation involving no-fault automobile insurance and other policy areas. He later published Automobile Insurance and No-Fault Law and continued producing annual supplements until his retirement. [1]
Joost also held legal and public-service roles with several federal and District of Columbia bodies. [1]
What has been publicly discussed
- Joost was diagnosed with bipolar disorder while a student at Harvard Law School. He openly acknowledged the illness throughout his career despite the stigma surrounding psychiatric conditions at the time. [1]
- Joost's bipolar disorder and the limited treatments available at the time created recurring difficulties during the early part of his legal career. His wife later said that the Massachusetts legal establishment tried to prevent him from taking the bar examination because of his illness, though he ultimately took and passed it. [1]
- After his diagnosis, Joost researched bipolar disorder extensively. When he learned about lithium as a treatment, he urged his doctors to let him try it. His wife later described the effect of lithium as a “silver bullet.” [1]
Sources and other resourcesExpand to view the sources used in this profile and resources to learn more.
Sources used for this profile
The following sources contain information that supports the claims made on this page.
The Washington Post“Robert H. Joost; Lawyer and Car Insurance Expert” Detailed obituary covering Joost's education and legal career, bipolar disorder diagnosis, bar-exam difficulties, openness about the condition and lithium treatment.
Learn more
Recommended books and other resources about Robert H. Joost and their experiences.
- In Memoriam — Harvard Law School Bulletin
Harvard Law School's memorial for Joost, covering his bipolar disorder, bar-exam difficulties, Senate work and career in no-fault insurance law.
- “Giving Motorists a Choice between Fault and No-Fault Insurance”Virginia Law Review
A scholarly article co-authored by Joost showing his professional work in automobile-insurance law.