Mertens, Bruce L.

Robin Meadow is a frequent go-to guy when other GMSR lawyers confront a legal issue that needs a vigorous analytical workout. Robin is in his element dissecting the law and shaping appellate strategy. He combines a degree of excitement about the law more often seen in new lawyers with a depth and breadth of expertise honed in 35 years of practice. Robin joined GMSR as a partner in 1994, after 23 years as a trial and appellate lawyer in a major commercial firm. He brought to GMSR not only deep experience in many areas of commercial law, but also a practical understanding of the trial courts that is rare in the appellate bar. He has, for example, successfully defended lender liability actions before both juries and appellate courts. Robin has continued to focus his practice on business disputes involving such areas as real estate, title insurance, partnerships, professional malpractice and intellectual property, and in all of these areas his appellate work has resulted in groundbreaking decisions. He also has substantial expertise in family and healthcare law.

Robin’s practice reflects his longstanding interest in technology. A pioneer in the use of electronic records and briefs, Robin co-authored the Second District Court of Appeal’s protocol for electronic briefs (since adopted by other districts), and he filed the first electronic brief ever accepted by that court. His leadership in technological matters has helped keep GMSR at the forefront of appellate firms in this rapidly-evolving area. Just as he does within the firm, Robin has shared his expertise with the legal community, through countless articles and lectures on business litigation and appellate law.

Robin has been a member of the California Academy of Appellate Lawyers since 1988, serving as its president in 2005-2006, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. He is listed in “The Best Lawyers in America” and was named one of the “Top 100 Southern California Super Lawyers for 2006.”

In addition, throughout his career Robin has been active in the organized bar and community organizations. Among many other activities, he served as the president of the Los Angeles County Bar Association (2003-2004); as the chair of many Association committees, including its Appellate Courts Committee (2001-2003); as the president of Public Counsel (the nation’s largest pro bono legal services organization); and as the president of Hathaway Children and Family Services (a nationally-recognized multi-service organization focusing on vulnerable children and their families). He has also served for many years on the Board of Directors of the ACLU Foundation of Southern California.

Robin is a graduate of the Boalt Hall School of Law (J.D. 1971, Order of the Coif) and the University of California, Berkeley (1968).

When he isn’t practicing law, Robin enjoys long-distance cycling, reading history, and playing bass guitar in a rock band.