A native of Staten Island, New York, Bob Tyson is a Founding Partner and strategic managing partner of the firm.
Mr. Tyson is a trial lawyer. He specializes in arguing damages in catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and high exposure jury trials. He is especially known for his groundbreaking work on Howell v. Hamilton Meats, a case he argued and won before the California Supreme Court. Howell has since been hailed as the most significant insurance decision to come down in over 40 years – altering the way California interprets the collateral source rule and impacting the damages a plaintiff may recover. Mr. Tyson successfully argued an injured plaintiff may only recover the much lower amount that is paid for medical expenses, not the full medical bills, as past medical damages. This difference between what is billed versus paid saves insurance companies and defendants over $10 billion dollars every year. The victory earned Mr. Tyson the California Lawyer of the Year (CLAY) award from the California Bar Magazine, among other awards.
Prior to founding Tyson & Mendes in 2002, Mr. Tyson practiced law at some of San Diego’s largest defense firms, including Edwards, White & Sooy and Booth, Mitchel & Strange. Throughout a nearly 30-year legal career, he has successfully resolved a variety of cases involving complex business, personal injury, products liability, commercial and general civil litigation, professional malpractice, environmental and employment law – representing individuals, corporations, partnerships, professionals and many other different types of businesses. Active in the community and legal profession, he frequently lectures on a variety of legal issues to business and professional organizations.
He earned his B.S. in finance from Villanova University in 1986 and earned his J.D. from Villanova University School of Law in 1989.
In his off time, he enjoys beating partner Pat Mendes at golf and spending time with his three children, Faith, Mary, and Bobby, and wife Jenny. His mantra: Justice for all. 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 lifetime, yo!”
Recent Posts
CLM – June 15, 2020
Why the Answer Could Very Well Prevent a Nuclear Verdict
Carrier Management – April 6, 2020
To mitigate the explosion of nuclear jury verdicts—which topped billions of dollars last year—insurance companies need to take a stand to meaningfully impact the U.S. tort system
We Are Here For You, What Can We Do? – Bob Tyson, Strategic Managing Partner
Daily Journal – March 6, 2020
Nuclear verdicts — often those in which damages exceed $10 million — are increasingly commonplace in this country, presenting major challenges for corporate America. It raises an important question: Why? What has changed to cause such excessive jury awards?
Claims Journal – May 10, 2019
We see the frequent headlines: A plaintiff is awarded millions of dollars in damages for a physical or emotional injury purportedly sustained at the hands of a small business or large corporation. While many applaud an injured plaintiff for holding wrongdoers accountable, it is clear the frequency of outrageous jury verdicts is on the rise, and something needs to be done.
Law360 – March 1, 2019
With more and more nuclear verdicts being awarded at trial — especially in products liability cases — can the defense afford not to argue damages with a jury? It may be unconventional, but something has to be done to turn the tide of runaway jury verdicts sweeping the nation.
Claims Magazine – Property Casualty 360° – June 6, 2018
With billions of dollars spent on developing self-driving cars and trucks, important questions have been raised about the imminent role of autonomous vehicles (AVs) and the ramifications insurers and business owners may face in the wake of such rapid development.
Daily Journal – February 21, 2018
It is a tactic that most defendants resist, and something defense attorneys rarely do. Give a number, always. Give your number to the jury early, give it often, and of course, it must never go up. While this strategy is rarely employed by the defense, it is critical for a successful jury verdict.
Daily Journal – June 22, 2017
Remember when TV personality and sportscaster Erin Andrews was awarded $55 million after suing two hotel management companies when one of their guests filmed and posted a nude video of her online? Had the defense personalized the corporate defendants at trial, perhaps the jury would not have found them liable for $26 million each for failing to protect Ms. Andrews’ privacy and safety.
Law360 – June 16, 2017
Over five years have passed since the multibillion-dollar, landmark California Supreme Court ruling in the Howell v. Hamilton Meats. The impact of this decision continues to be felt across the country.