Robin L. Thornton

Robin L. Thornton
Attorney

t: 510.834.6600
d: 510.622.7674
f: 510.834.1928
rthornton@wendel.com

Education

Golden Gate University, School of Law; J.D.

University of California, Berkeley; B.A.

Extern with federal Judge Ware of the Northern District of California, 2004, 2006

Admissions

State Bar of California

U.S. District Court, Northern District of California

U.S. District Court, Southern District of California

  • Profile
  • Representative Matters
  • AFFILIATIONS
  • RECOGNITIONS
  • INSIGHTS

Robin, who chairs the Eminent Domain Practice Group, has nearly 20 years’ law firm experience, including thirteen years practicing in eminent domain and public agency law.  She has represented public and private entities and individuals in a variety of contexts, including appellate matters, trials, administrative hearings, alternative dispute resolution proceedings, private negotiations, and in advisory capacities. In addition to condemnation law, Robin also practices general civil litigation, property tax, real property, insurance coverage, and employment law.

She is best known for her representation in the Richmond Refinery case, which was among the most complex assessment appeals matters in California’s history. Additionally, she has worked on mediations, arbitrations, court and jury trials in Alameda, Solano, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, and Orange Counties.

Notable public projects include the Interstate 80 / Interstate 680 / State Route 12 Interchange and the North Connector in Solano County, Caltrans Truck Scale project in Cordelia, and the State Route 4 Bypass in Brentwood and Oakley.

Appellate Decisions

  • Navigators Specialty Ins. Co. v. Moorefield Construction, Inc.
    (2016) 6 Cal. App. 5th 1258 (insurance)
  • Western States Petroleum Association, v. Board of Equalization
    (2013) 57 Cal. 4th 401 (property tax)
  • Mann v. Said
    (2019) 2019 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 6641 [Unpublished] (contract dispute)
  • Solano Transportation Authority v. Scherner
    (2020) First Appellate District Case No. A159764 [Petition for Writ Summarily Denied after Preliminary Opposition Filing] (Eminent domain)
  • Solano Transportation Authority v. Scherner
    (2021) 2021 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 2129 (Eminent domain)

Contra Costa County Bar Association

International Right of Way Association (IRWA)

  • Vice President of Chapter Two for the 2021-2022 term
  • Treasurer, 2020 – 2021

Inns of Court

  • Member, 2013
  • Los Angeles Times – Legal Visionary in the Business of Law: Trends, Updates, Visionaries & In-House Counsel Leadership, 2021
  • Selected for inclusion in Northern California Super Lawyers Magazine Rising Star in the Practice Area of Eminent Domain, 2013-2020
  • San Francisco Magazine – Top Women Attorneys in Northern California, 2013-2020

 

Events

IRWA Annual Legal Update

IRWA Annual Legal Update

01/26/2022 | International Right of Way Association

International Right of Way Association will host their Annual Legal Update on January 26th led by partners Robin Thornton and Josh Cohen. Their highly anticipated presentation includes a summary of…

Full Article
What’s Mine May Be Yours: An Introduction to Involuntary Real Property Transfers

What’s Mine May Be Yours: An Introduction to Involuntary Real Property Transfers

11/16/2021 | Wendel Rosen LLP

While many know about the fundamentals of property ownership and willing transfers of property, few know the extent to which property transfers can happen without an owner’s express consent. In…

Full Article
New Rule: Hammerlock Admissible Testimony — The Implications of Sanchez and Stamps on Expert Witness Testimony in Valuation Litigation

New Rule: Hammerlock Admissible Testimony — The Implications of Sanchez and Stamps on Expert Witness Testimony in Valuation Litigation

05/13/2021 | Appraisal Institute Northern California Chapter

Robin Thornton, Esq. and Joshua D. Cohen, Esq., Wendel Rosen Eminent Domain Partners, join Norman C. Hulberg, MAI, Senior Managing Director at Valbridge Property Advisors, to present at the virtual…

Full Article
Date Category Host Title
02/03/2021 Webinar International Right-of-Way Chapter 42 Eminent Domain Annual Legal Update
01/20/2021 Webinar International Right-of-Way Chapter 2 Eminent Domain Annual Legal Update
More Articles

News

Partner Robin Thornton Gives Insight About the Process of Eminent Domain

Partner Robin Thornton Gives Insight About the Process of Eminent Domain

03/03/2022 | U.S. News and World Report

U.S. News and World Report published an article on February 24, 2022 regarding condemnation in the real estate arena. In this article, Robin Thornton, who chairs the Eminent Domain Practice…

Full Article
Real Estate Outlook – Robin Thornton Provides Industry Wisdom

Real Estate Outlook – Robin Thornton Provides Industry Wisdom

10/05/2021 | Los Angeles Times

The impact of COVID-19 in relation to the real estate industry has been an unforgettable part of history. In a recent Los Angeles Times virtual panel, Partner and Chair of…

Full Article
L.A. Times Names Partner Robin Thornton of Wendel Rosen a Legal Visionary

L.A. Times Names Partner Robin Thornton of Wendel Rosen a Legal Visionary

09/23/2021 | Wendel Rosen LLP

OAKLAND, Calif., September 22, 2021 – Wendel Rosen Partner, Robin Thornton, has been recognized as a Legal Visionary in the Business of Law: Trends, Updates, Visionaries & In-House Counsel Leadership Awards Magazine…

Full Article
Date Category Publication Title
11/11/2020 Press Release Wendel Rosen LLP  Award-Winning Eminent Domain Attorney Joins Wendel Rosen

Education

Golden Gate University, School of Law; J.D.

University of California, Berkeley; B.A.

Extern with federal Judge Ware of the Northern District of California, 2004, 2006

Admissions

State Bar of California

U.S. District Court, Northern District of California

U.S. District Court, Southern District of California

Practice Areas

Eminent Domain
Litigation