Brent A.
Robinson

Counsel

San Francisco, CA

Brent is counsel with Clarkson’s Appeals & Writs Team, where he helps employees, consumers, and trial lawyers overturn bad trial court decisions and defend good trial court decisions. His passion lies in helping improve the lives of his clients, and in changing the law and legal system for the better. Brent’s work at Clarkson focuses on litigating high-impact and complex questions of federal and state law on appeal. (See e.g. Leeper v. Shipt (Cal. Case No. S289305); Williams v. Alacrity Solutions Group, LLC (2025) 110 Cal.App.5th 932 [review granted, held pending Leeper]; Galarsa v. Dolgen California, LLC (2025) 115 Cal.App.5th 1 [same]; Lorenzo v. San Francisco Zen Center (2025) 116 Cal.App.5th 258 [as counsel for amici curiae]; Bruce v. Becerra (9th Cir. Dec. 4, 2025, No. 24-5453) 2026 U.S. App. LEXIS 558.) Brent is also active in seeking publication and depublication of appellate decisions to improve the state of decisional law. (See, e.g., Lewis v. Simplified Labor Staffing Solutions (Cal. Supreme Ct. Case No. S278457).)

Brent began his career at a small law firm in San Francisco’s Mission District, where he took pride in serving members of marginalized communities in the Bay Area. Many, if not most of his clients were Spanish-speaking wage workers, often employed at restaurants or other blue-collar jobs, who had walked in off the street looking for help. His first trial, just a few months after he was admitted to the Bar, was on behalf of a former car wash worker who spoke only Spanish. Brent recovered all the wages his client sought. His client then gave his recovered wages to his granddaughter, and was later deported to Mexico, where he volunteered as a police officer despite the threat of cartel assassination. Brent draws inspiration from the dignity and strength through adversity his clients routinely demonstrate.

Before joining Clarkson, Brent worked for class and complex litigation boutique with offices in Oakland, California. There he focused on efforts to win relief for large numbers of California employees and consumers against large corporations represented by some of the largest law firms. In that role, he came to handle a substantial number of appellate and writ proceedings. (See Carroll v. City and County of San Francisco (2019) 41 Cal.App.5th 805; Piplack v. In-N-Out Burgers (2023) 88 Cal.App.5th 1281; Accurso v. In-N-Out Burgers (2023) 94 Cal.App.5th 1128, vacated on review and ordered reconsidered (Oct. 23, 2024), deemed moot; Paknad v. Superior Court of Cal. (Apr. 29, 2024, No. H050711) 2024 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 2620; Carroll v. City and County of San Francisco (2025) 115 Cal.App.5th 1192.)

In his free time, Brent enjoys going on adventures with his family. He also loves walking his dog (rescue Husky mix), camping, hiking, rock climbing, cycling, and cooking. He enjoys a good board game from time to time.

brobinson@clarksonlawfirm.com

Representative Cases

Rahman/Bautista Diaz v. Gate Gourmet, Inc. (N.D.Cal. Case No. 3:20-cv-03047-WHO; Los Angeles Super. Ct. Case No. 20STCV34299; C.D.Cal. Case No. 2:20-CV-09454 FLA (MAAx); MDL No. 3012) - Defeated reverse auction attempt as lead counsel. See, 2021 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 225310.

Piplack/Accurso v. In-n-Out Burgers (Orange Co. Super. Ct. Case No. 30-2019-01114510; Fourth Dist. Ct. of App. Case Nos. G061098, G064180, G064028; Second Dist. Ct. of App. Case No. B319885; Sonoma County Superior Case No. SCV-268956, First Dist. Ct. of App. Case Nos. A165320 and A165403; Cal. Supreme Ct. Case Nos. S275185, S285825, S282173; JCCP No. 5359) - As lead counsel for plaintiffs, prosecuting complex PAGA litigation involving seven overlapping trial court actions, including three writ proceedings, and three appeals so far. See, Piplack v. In-N-Out Burgers (2023) 88 Cal.App.5th 1281, review granted (Jun. 14, 2023), review dismissed (Sept. 13, 2023); Accurso v. In-N-Out Burgers (2023) 94 Cal.App.5th 1128, review granted (Nov. 29, 2023), transferred to 1DCA 4 for reconsideration (Nov. 7 2024), dismissed as moot (Jan. 9, 2025).

Carroll v. City and County of San Francisco et al. (San Francisco Sup. Ct. Case No. CGC-17-526580; First Dist. Ct. of App. Case Nos. A154569, A155208, A169408; Cal. Supreme Court Case No. S259558) - As lead counsel and first chair at trial, obtained reversal of order sustaining demurrer on appeal, compelled headless class discovery, certified a class of over 150 disabled retirees asserting claims of compensation discrimination under FEHA, and tried class claims to adverse final judgment, with appeal from final judgment pending. See, Carroll v. City and County of San Francisco (2019) 41 Cal.App.5th 805, review and depublication denied (Jan. 29, 2020).

Paknad v. Intuitive Surgical, Inc., et al. (Cal. Supreme Ct. Case Nos. S281065, S285227; Sixth Dist. Ct. of App. Case No. H050711; Santa Clara Super. Ct. Case No. 19CV350641) - As appellate counsel, obtained California Supreme Court grant of review and transfer after summary writ denial, then obtained grant of writ of mandate directing trial court to reverse order denying motion to compel discovery of workplace investigation evidence on the basis of privilege. See, Paknad v. Superior Court of Cal. (Apr. 29, 2024, No. H050711) 2024 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 2620.

Education

J.D., 2012, University of San Francisco School of Law
B.A. in English Literature, 2008, U.C. Santa Barbara

Bar & Court Admissions

State Bar of California
United States District Court for the Northern District of California
United States District Court for the Central District of California
United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Recognitions

Super Lawyers, Northern California Rising Star for 2022 and 2023

Professional Memberships

California Employment Lawyers Association; Member, Amicus Committee, Reverse Auctions Panel, Wage & Hour Committee, and Legislative Committee

Meet our people

Brent A. Robinson

Brent A.
Robinson