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 and author of the #1 best-selling, first book written for the defense to limit exposure at trial, Nuclear Verdicts: Defending Justice for All. In this groundbreaking book, Mr. Tyson sets forth the specific methods to beat plaintiff lawyers and achieve justice. It is the culmination of an over 30-year legal career, during which he has successfully resolved a variety of cases involving complex products liability, commercial and general civil litigation, professional malpractice, environmental, and employment law – representing individuals, corporations, public entities, professionals, and many other different types of businesses.
Mr. Tyson 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.
Mr. Tyson earned his B.S. in finance from Villanova University in 1986 and his J.D. from Villanova University School of Law in 1989. Prior to founding Tyson & Mendes in 2002, he practiced law at some of Southern California’s largest defense firms, including Edwards, White & Sooy and Booth, Mitchel & Strange. Active in the community and legal profession, he frequently lectures on a variety of legal issues to business and professional organizations.
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!”
To learn about joining the Tyson & Mendes team, please visit our Careers page.
Recent Posts
Daily Journal – August 28, 2020
Compared to plaintiffs’ counsel, those on the defense side rarely share anything with each other.
Carrier Management – August 28, 2020
Why have nuclear verdicts skyrocketed in the last 10 years? Did the law change? Did Congress pass a sweeping bill in favor of plaintiffs that mandates they must recover tens of millions of dollars in pain and suffering damages? Nope.
Daily Journal – July 31, 2020
There has been an explosion of nuclear verdicts in recent years, with plaintiffs awarded billions of dollars in damages for all types of losses purportedly sustained at the hands of small businesses and large corporations. This trend is a major problem for corporate America, as well as the attorneys who defend these claims.
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.