About Rob

A middle-aged man with light brown hair wearing a dark suit, light blue shirt, and blue polka dot tie, smiling in an office with a window with blinds and a bookshelf in the background.

Everyone has a story that needs to be told

And Rob is fascinated by people’s stories. This is what led him to pursue a career in law, and later, mediation, and how he approaches serving as a neutral in emotional, complex, and high-stakes matters. His warm candor and acceptance for others’ experiences provides a sense of comfort, integrity, and safety to the spaces he creates, helping parties reach a sense of understanding, rather than just agreement.

Rob has deep roots in the Bay Area, Fresno, and Los Angeles, and currently splits his time between Fresno and Los Angeles with his beloved wife of 40 years and his St. Bernard, JJ. He enjoys theater, swimming at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, and hiking in Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.

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Credentials & Experience

The United States Supreme Court building, a large white neoclassical structure with tall columns and statues, under a clear blue sky.
The United States Supreme Court building, a large white neoclassical structure with tall columns and statues, under a clear blue sky.
Interior of a historic-style bookstore or library with tall bookshelves lining both sides of the room. The space features a large arched window bringing in natural light, and wooden railings and floors. There are stairs in the foreground leading to a lower level, with labels indicating continents such as America, Africa, Asia, Australasia.
Interior of a historic-style bookstore or library with tall bookshelves lining both sides of the room. The space features a large arched window bringing in natural light, and wooden railings and floors. There are stairs in the foreground leading to a lower level, with labels indicating continents such as America, Africa, Asia, Australasia.

Notable Experience

Over more than four decades of civil litigation, Rob has argued over 250 appellate matters, that include the California Supreme Court. His practice has spanned a wide range of complex civil disputes:

  • Indemnification and contribution in multi-defendant cases

  • Construction defect and contractor/subcontractor disputes

  • Personal injury (wrongful death) and property damage

  • Public entity litigation

  • Aviation matters under the Warsaw Convention

  • Specialty manufacturing liability

  • Subrogation

  • Breach of contract in entertainment joint ventures

Education

  • J.D., University of California College of Law, San Francisco (“UC Law”) (formerly Hastings College of the Law)

  • Editor, The Hastings Law Journal

Bar Admissions

  • State Bar of California

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California

  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California

  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California

  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California

Mediator Training

  • Mediating the Litigated Case™, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine Caruso School of Law (2025)