Robinson & Wood has represented public entities since the creation of the firm. From the seminal matter of Ross v. Campbell Union School District, 70 Cal.App.3rd 113 (1977) regarding the duties imposed by a joint powers agreement to the more recent Brassinga v. City of Mountain View, 66 Cal. App.4th 195 (1998) which concerns the application of the exclusive remedy doctrine to a police shooting, and the employment rights case of Huskey v. City of San Jose, 204 F.3d 893 (2000, C.A. 9th). Robinson & Wood has always been on the cutting edge of issues facing public entities.

The firm is routinely asked to become involved in cases post-trial (Ortega v. Pajaro Valley Unified School District, 64 Cal.App.4th 1023 (1998)) and help unwind inappropriate trial court decisions. We defend governmental entities including special districts, fire and hospital districts, municipalities, and even other states, in a variety of actions ranging from personal injury cases, dangerous condition of public property, discrimination and due process claims, employment matters, and claims of defamation, false imprisonment, sexual abuse, and legal malpractice. In 1997, while representing a public entity in a legal malpractice action against its former attorneys, the firm obtained a seven figure settlement - one of the largest settlements ever obtained by a public entity against its own counsel.

Because of the firm's extensive background in insurance litigation we bring a unique understanding to the interpretation of agreements between governmental entities and their liability pools or insurers. In addition to working with self-insured entities, and their insurers, we have also worked closely with ABAG and ACCEL. The firm has membership in both PARMA and CAJPA.

Related Articles & Publications:

Parma 2001

Parma 2000

Practice Area Leader:

Practice Area Members:
Anne B. Miller

Other Practice Areas:
Business Transactions
Construction Defect Litigation
Employment Law
Estate Planning and Probate
Family Law
Insurance Litigation and Fraud
Intellectual Property Litigation
Products Liability
Professional Liability
Transportation Liability