Robert Harrison

Robert W. Harrison is a civil trial lawyer whose practice focuses on the defense of professional liability and product liability matters. Bob represents physicians, dentists, chiropractors, nurses and other health care professionals in malpractice suits. In addition, his trial experience includes defending skilled nursing facilities and elder abuse claims.  He also has significant experience defending lawyer professional liability claims. This has included achieving a 5-0 record obtaining defense verdicts in jury trials. In addition, Bob has a considerable background defending health care providers in administrative law matters, including before the medical, dental and pharmaceutical licensing boards of California.

Bob has tried in excess of 120 civil cases to jury verdict. In the pandemic period he even had the “pleasure” of serving as trial counsel in two Zoom jury trials involving asbestos litigation.  His skill as a trial attorney has been recognized by his membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) where he holds Diplomate rank.  He is also a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers which limits membership to 500 active attorneys from throughout the United States. He has been frequently included in America’s Best Lawyers and has been recognized in the top 50 attorneys in San Diego and has on three occasions including in 2022 been honored as the San Diego Lawyer of the Year for Medical Malpractice Defense or Professional Liability Defense.  Mr. Harrison also has substantial experience in appellate matters and has two published opinions in which he argued for the prevailing party.  An active member of the legal community, Bob served as the 1985-86 President of the San Diego Barristers Club, and as President of California Defense Counsel, the lobbying arm of California’s two defense attorney associations.  In 2003 he served as President of the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel (ASCDC), the largest in state defense organization in the country. Bob was a member of the DRI Board of Directors as the Western Regional Representative from 2007-2010 and later served on the Executive Council of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (ADTA) from 2016-2019.  He also holds membership in the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) which is by invitation only.

Bob is a highly experienced litigator and trial lawyer known for his thoughtful yet aggressive advocacy on behalf of those he represents. His careful analysis of every case coupled with his natural abilities in the courtroom has resulted in consistent successes for his clients.  It has also resulted in his being asked to “parachute” into matters to serve as trial counsel when “bet the company” litigation has called for someone of his exceptional experience and professional reputation.

Bob is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and served on active duty for 6 years following his graduation and an additional 20 years as a Naval Reserve office before retiring with the rank of Captain. He is a veteran of the Vietnam War and served as commanding officer of two Naval Reserve Force ships including USS Pluck (MSO-464) and USS Hepburn (FF-1055).  Upon completing his active-duty service Bob attended Brooklyn Law School for one year before transferring to the University of San Diego where he completed his legal education in 1981.