robert ernest keeton (december 16, 1919 – july 2, 2007) was an american lawyer, jurist, and legal scholar. as a law professor at harvard law school and a united states district judge of the united states district court for the district of massachusetts he was known for his work on torts, insurance law, and practical courtroom tactics. keeton, with jeffrey o'connell of the university of virginia school of law, played a key role in the advancement of no-fault automobile insurance.