Mark P. Robinson Jr.

Robinson served as plaintiffs' co-lead counsel in the federal multidistrict class action over Toyota vehicles' sudden acceleration problems. He conducted the first bellwether trial after filing multiple personal injury lawsuits. His work contributed to the $1.6 billion consumer class settlement. Toyota Motor Corp. Unintended Acceleration Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation, 8:10mdl02151 (C.D. Cal., filed March 2, 2010)

He held similar posts in major class actions over the diabetes medication Actos, the osteoporosis drug Fosamax and General Motors Co.'s faulty ignition switch.

But it is individual cases with sympathetic plaintiffs that get Robinson's attention, he said. Take landscape gardener Faustino Torres Solorio of San Bernardino, struck from behind by a driver working for Fontana Nissan. "He lost his leg above the knee," Robinson said. "He's the kind of guy who is hopping around on one leg, still doing his job. He can't afford a prosthesis. He's my focus now. We're going to trial July 18, and I'm really looking forward to this case."

Nissan contends that the driver who hit Solorio was an independent contractor, relieving it of liability. "His assignment was to deliver parts around the Inland Empire," Robinson said. "He was driving dangerously, he was within the course and scope of his duties, and we argue that because Nissan controlled him, he's an employee. We demanded their insurance policy's $10 million limit, and they said no. They already tried to get summary judgment on this issue, and the judge said no. We are going to trial." Solorio v. Nissan of Fontana, CIVDS1512469 (San Bernardino Super. Ct., filed Aug. 31, 2015)

Robinson said he's tried innumerable cases against automakers, frequently Ford Motor Co. "I've had 50 or 60 cases against them over the years. My life is full of these cases. They never want to settle. We fight over discovery, we fight over everything. You're only as good as your latest verdict against them. I actually enjoy trying to help people. Managing things isn't always fun, but the trials are."

- John Roemer