Mark P. Robinson Jr.

Robinson achieved a settlement worth up to $800 million for 1,400 clients impacted by the 2017 shooting by a lone gunman at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas that killed 58 and wounded 413. With co-counsel, he served on the litigation leadership group that conducted extensive negotiations with the Mandalay Bay's parent, MGM Resorts. Sheppard v. Mandalay Bay LLC, 2:18-cv-01120 (D. Nev., filed June 22, 2018).

The litigation featured a countersuit by MGM against the plaintiffs, designed to block their claims by using a federal anti-terrorism law. At the time, Robinson pushed back strongly, calling the effort "insensitive," "crazy" and "unprecedented in the American justice system." "Just to re-victimize them, it's just not right," he added. "I'm outraged about what they're doing here."

Robinson was more conciliatory when the deal was announced. "We're grateful to MGM for doing the right thing by resolving this case swiftly to avoid the emotional turmoil of trial," he said in a statement. "This settlement will help our clients begin the process of healing and rebuilding their lives."

In May, Robinson filed a new complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court over claims that breast implants made by Allergan Inc. can shed silicone particles that cause a type of cancer called non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The suit follows an MDL in New Jersey on similar claims. Robinson is co-settlement counsel in that litigation.

The suits came after the Food and Drug Administration asked Allergan to recall its Biocell textured implants in July 2019; a company recall followed. The complaints allege that Allergan knew the risk but failed to warn customers. Bishop v. Allergan Inc., 20STCV17280 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed May 4, 2020).

The cases have echoes for Robinson, who was a prominent litigator of breast implant cases in the 1990s. "I did a lot of those way back then, and I never thought I'd see another," he said. He's hoping to have several current California cases against Allergan consolidated.

Robinson doesn't like talking about his accomplishments. "I wouldn't use the word. I would rather use the word 'battles,'" he said. Among his current clashes is a major case challenging Juul Labs Inc. for damages allegedly caused by its vaping products. Maestas v. Juul Labs Inc., 20STCV15065 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed April 17, 2020).

In another, Robinson represents thousands of women claiming they developed ovarian cancer due to use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. He secured a $417 million verdict in one case in 2017 before a judge rejected the science behind Robinson's case.

"Now one of my clients is dying. It's a very sad thing," he said. "We are trying for a preference trial based on her imminent death. Why won't Johnson & Johnson admit they've got a problem and resolve this thing?"

-- John Roemer