Robert J. Romero

Partner in Charge of San Francisco Office

He/Him

"I help clients succeed in high-stakes litigation by making complex issues clear, preparing relentlessly, advocating skillfully, and knowing when a jury trial is the smartest path forward."

415-263-8119

Email cnJvbWVyb0BoaW5zaGF3bGF3LmNvbQ==

Robert J. Romero

Partner in Charge of San Francisco Office

He/Him

"I help clients succeed in high-stakes litigation by making complex issues clear, preparing relentlessly, advocating skillfully, and knowing when a jury trial is the smartest path forward."

415-263-8119

Email cnJvbWVyb0BoaW5zaGF3bGF3LmNvbQ==

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About Robert

Leveraging 30 years of jury trial experience, Robert defends clients in state and federal court across the country in complex commercial cases, directors and officers liability matters, high-exposure insurance bad faith lawsuits, intellectual property disputes, professional liability claims, and catastrophic loss cases. Robert frequently represents clients in pro hac vice in multiple states.

Robert represents lawyers and law firms, securities and financial brokers, real estate professionals, and other clients, including Fortune 50 companies. He has had the good fortune to represent clients who understand that not every case should settle. With their active involvement and the support of a focused, unified team, Robert has been able to level the playing field for clients operating in a challenging climate. He also serves as national counsel to several of Hinshaw's corporate clients in high-exposure, extra-contractual, and alleged punitive damage cases.

According to Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, clients state:

"He's an excellent trial attorney who is very strong on complex claims and a pleasure to work with."

"Robert has the ability to comprehend issues and our position as insurers, as well as to lay out scenarios on possible outcomes."

Areas of Focus

Industries:

Services:

Initiatives:

- Lawyers for the Profession®

Experience

In May 2025, a unanimous defense verdict was secured in an insurance bad faith case against an international insurer, venued in the Central District of California Federal Court.
Obtained a unanimous jury defense verdict in an insurance bad faith case arising from a California wildfire loss, venued in the Northern District of California Federal Court in February 2025.
In 2023, tried and successfully defended a multi-million dollar fraud and recession action in the Los Angeles Superior Court for an international company.
In 2021, tried a catastrophic loss case in the United States District Court.
Successfully defended a national insurer in a breach of contract case arising out of sexual molestation case.

Successfully defended an international insurer in advertising injury coverage claim stemming from trademark and patent litigation.
Successfully defended disability insurer in ERISA matter alleging insurance bad faith.
Obtained a $6 million dollar unanimous jury verdict in Alameda County, California, in favor of an international company that was affirmed at the Court of Appeal and satisfied, including over $1 million in post-judgment interest.
Successfully defended a national insurer in a catastrophic bodily injury and property damage claim arising from the Ka Loko Dam break in Kuai, Hawaii.
In 2019, successfully defended a multidistrict director and officer case arising out of the fracking, oil, and gas industry.
Defended and counseled media and other clients in defamation and intellectual property disputes in California and New York.
Obtained a defense verdict in a million-dollar fraud, negligence, and breach of contract lawsuit, venued in the San Mateo County Superior Court following a three-week trial. The case arose out of various allegations of professional negligence, misrepresentation and included a claim of punitive damages.
In October 2012, successfully obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a large real estate brokerage in a fraud, breach of contract, and negligence claim following a two-week trial in Alameda County, California.
Unanimous jury verdict in Los Angeles County in favor of an insurer sued for breach of contract and negligence.
Verdict in San Mateo County in favor of National Real Estate Brokerage in fraud, breach of contract, and negligence case.
Successfully defended international insurer in action filed in California and London, alleging bad faith and breach of contract. The case was affirmed by the California Court of Appeal.
Verdict in favor of a San Francisco landowner in breach of contract case.
Jury verdict in favor of law firm for professional negligence in the San Francisco Superior Court.
Successfully defended design professional in a negligence claim arising from a multimillion underlying construction project.
Unanimous jury verdict in Alameda County, California, in favor of an insurance agent and broker sued for negligence and insurance bad faith.
Successfully defended a law firm in a malpractice allegation arising from a wrongful termination claim by an airline employee.
Successfully defended a law firm in a malpractice allegation arising from the mishandling of underlying trademark and patent infringement claims.
Successfully defended a law firm in a malpractice claim involving allegations of family law standard of care issues.
Successfully defended an international financial institution in unfair business practices and fraud claims.
Successfully defended a law firm against allegations of abuse of process and malicious prosecution.

Recognition

Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Insurance: Insurer – California, Band 4, 2024 – 2025
Northern California Super Lawyers, 2006 – 2020, 2023 – 2025
Minority Corporate Counsel Association, Diversity & The Bar, Top 16 Rainmaker, United States, December 2008
Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Peer Review Rating

Credentials

Education

University of California Davis School of Law, JD, 1988
California State University – Sacramento, BA, 1985

Bar Admissions

California

Court Admissions

US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
US District Court for the District of Arizona
US District Court for the Central District of California
US District Court for the Eastern District of California
US District Court for the Northern District of California
US District Court for the Southern District of California
US District Court for the District of Hawaii
US District Court for the District of Minnesota

Thought Leadership

Presentations

Moderator, "Voir Dire: The Art of Jury De-selection in a Legal Malpractice Case," Hinshaw's Legal Malpractice & Risk Management (LMRM) Conference, Chicago, Illinois, March 4, 2020

"Direct Examination; Trial Objections," California Trial Advocacy, San Francisco, California, August 3, 2016
"Attorney-Client Privilege in House Counsel Environment," at the Twenty-Sixth Annual Association of California Insurance Companies (ACIC) General Counsel Seminar, July 22, 2015

Robert's additional presentations include:

"Hot Topics in Professional Liability, Medical and Products Liability Law," Markel Corporation
"California Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations," Colony Insurance Company

Events

In The News

Robert Romero Quoted in Law360 Article Discussing Tips For Crafting Attorney-Client ADR Pacts, Mar 10, 2016

Insights for Insurers Alert

Insurer Has Duty to Defend Where Complaint Against Insured Potentially Stated a Claim for Slogan Infringement, Nov 16, 2010

Press Releases

Hinshaw Earns National Recognition in 2025 Chambers USA Directory, Jun 5, 2025
2024 Edition of Chambers USA Recognizes Hinshaw for its Insurance, Aviation, and Financial Services Practices, Jun 6, 2024
Hinshaw Names Four New Members of Management Committee, May 18, 2016
Hinshaw & Culbertson Expands Square Footage in San Francisco Office, Aug 4, 2015
Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP and Barger & Wolen LLP Announce Merger, Sep 2, 2014

View all of Robert's Insights

Interests

Did you know...

Outside the office, Robert enjoys golf, running, weight training, scuba diving, and most importantly, spending time with his three daughters, who are now young adult professionals making their own way. From the Napa Valley, Robert also enjoys wine and is an avid fan of the (Forever) Oakland Raiders, Oakland Athletics, and still local Golden State Warriors.

Community/Civic Activities

Bar Association of San Francisco Managing Partner Circle

Thought Leadership

Presentations

Moderator, "Voir Dire: The Art of Jury De-selection in a Legal Malpractice Case," Hinshaw's Legal Malpractice & Risk Management (LMRM) Conference, Chicago, Illinois, March 4, 2020

"Direct Examination; Trial Objections," California Trial Advocacy, San Francisco, California, August 3, 2016
"Attorney-Client Privilege in House Counsel Environment," at the Twenty-Sixth Annual Association of California Insurance Companies (ACIC) General Counsel Seminar, July 22, 2015

Robert's additional presentations include:

"Hot Topics in Professional Liability, Medical and Products Liability Law," Markel Corporation
"California Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations," Colony Insurance Company