Background Information

Mr. Tyson was born and raised in Staten Island, New York. He is a 47-year-old graduate of Villanova University School of Law, class of 1989. Mr. Tyson graduated from Villanova University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. He has practiced law in large San Diego defense firms since graduation. Mr. Tyson has primarily litigated cases in the areas of products liability, personal injury, commercial and general civil litigation, professional malpractice, environmental and employment law. He has represented individuals, corporations, partnerships, professionals and many other different types of businesses. Mr. Tyson was admitted to the California Bar June 1990 and to the District of Columbia Bar October 1993.

Legal Employment

2002- Present
TYSON & MENDES LLP
San Diego, California                         
Business and insurance litigation practice specializing in employment law, products liability, environmental litigation, professional liability, and personal injury.

1998- 2002
RIPLEY & TYSON
San Diego, California
General civil litigation and coverage practice.

1996-1998
BOOTH, MITCHEL & STRANGE LLP
San Diego, California
Opened San Diego office of business and insurance defense
litigation firm.

1991-1996
EDWARDS, WHITE & SOOY
San Diego, California
Civil litigation including Superior Court jury trials and appellate practice.

1988-1991
HUGHES & CAMPBELL
San Diego, California
Associate and law clerk in civil litigation practice.

Education

VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor - May 1989

VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science in Finance, Concentration in Computer Science May 1986

Memberships

Founder of Lawyers For Tots

The Century Club of San Diego

State Bar Committee for Professional Liability Insurance

Board of Directors of Villanova University Alumni Assoc.

Barrister in William B. Enright Chapter of American Inns of Court

Past President of S.D. Barristers Club

Arbitrator for the SDCBA

Past Chairman of Financial Professionals Liaison Committee of SDCBA

All Hallows Pastoral and Finance Council

Medical Professionals Liaison Committee

San Diego Defense Lawyers Association

Defense Research Institute

Lectures

RIMS National Conference, Honolulu, HI, April 2006, “Winning Strategies For Resolving Claims.”

California Society of CPA’s, Society of Ca. Accountants, SD Tax Institute and SDSU Graduate Program on over 20 occasions, from 1991 through 2007, “Accountant’s Liability”

San Diego County Bar Association, 1996, “How to Handle a Professional Malpractice Lawsuit”

Institute of Certified Financial Planners, 1998,"Limiting Exposure to Lawsuits"

American Women's Society of CPA's, 1998, "Anatomy of a Lawsuit"

Rancho Santa Fe Bus. Women's Assoc., 1999, "Limiting Your Exposure To Y2K Lawsuits"

Peoples Law School, 1998, Trial Attorney - "Mock Trial Presentation"

CATRLA 1996 Annual Conference, “Liability Issues for Rental Companies”

SDCBA, 1995, “Introduction to Discovery”

Moderator of joint SDCBA, Ca. Society of CPA’s, ICFP and IAFP program, 1998, “Professional Teamwork and Your Client”

CPA Desert Discussion Group, 1999, "Accountants' Liability."

RIMS San Diego Chapter, on over six occasions, including 2007 “An Update on Developments in California Law.”

Mr. Tyson frequently provides seminars for his insurance clients on a wide array of subjects, ranging from claims handling practices to litigation strategies.

Publications 

Published articles in:

Risk Management Magazine

Journal Of Financial Planning

The Insurance Journal

Financial Planning Magazine

California Society of CPA’s Outlook Magazine

San Diego Physician

California Chiropractic Assn.'s Journal

San Diego Adjustor

Santa Clara Medical Society's Bulletin

Realtor Magazine

Interests 

Mr. Tyson enjoys beating Pat Mendes at golf and spending time with his three small children, Faith, Mary, and Bobby, and wife Jenny. Now if you are still reading this, your perseverance should be rewarded with something more real. So a stream of personal thoughts: I grew up in the world’s largest landfill. I am a pretty good loser (although I do hate to lose), but I am a really bad winner (i.e. trash talking, general gloating, rubbing it in, etc.) The glass is always half full. We are blessed to live in the best city, in the greatest country in the world. The American Dream is alive and well. Maybe not immediately, but Justice does ultimately prevail. A jury always “gets it,” it is the lawyer’s job to make sure they “got it.” Hard work is the answer. As a modern day poet once said: “You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a life-time, yo!” I can’t wait for tomorrow!