Robert A. Olson
VCARD
Biography
More than 30 years ago Bob Olson found his passion and calling for appellate law. It started with a clerkship with Hon. Anthony Kennedy, then on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit after graduating Order of the Coif from Stanford Law School. He eventually found his way to GMSR where he has practiced for more than three decades.
Bob is a leader of the appellate bar, a past president of the California Academy of Appellate Lawyers, a fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers and a past president of the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel (and a member of its Hall of Fame). He has been a California Lawyer of the Year and recognized as one of The Best Lawyers in America®. He has represented individuals, companies, insurers and public entities in the California Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the California Courts of Appeal. He also actively collaborates with local counsel on cases before several state Supreme Courts.
Bob has a breadth of experience, which helps in placing difficult cases in a context that will enhance the likelihood of success. He has particular expertise, and successful appellate outcomes, in matters of insurance coverage and bad faith, tort liability, contract—including entertainment contract—claims, anti-SLAPP and defamation, family law, trusts, and arbitration.
Honors
A California Lawyer of the Year, California Lawyer Magazine (2016)
Daily Journal’s Annual Top 100 California Lawyers (2012)
Southern California Super Lawyers, Appellate (2005 – Present)
Top 100 Southern California Super Lawyers (2017)
Named in The Best Lawyers in America® (Appellate Law, Insurance Law) (2010 – Present)
A California Lawyer of the Year, California Lawyer Magazine (2016)
Daily Journal’s Annual Top 100 California Lawyers (2012)
Southern California Super Lawyers, Appellate (2005 – Present)
Top 100 Southern California Super Lawyers (2017)
Named in The Best Lawyers in America® (Appellate Law, Insurance Law) (2010 – Present)
High-Impact Wins
Sterling v. Sterling (2015) 242 Cal.App.4th 185
Affirming sale of Los Angeles Clippers
Sterling v. Sterling (2015) 242 Cal.App.4th 185
Affirming sale of Los Angeles Clippers
Successfully obtained affirmance of Probate Court order requiring sale of Los Angeles Clippers from Donald Sterling to a new owner.
Sanchez v. Valencia Holding Co., LLC (2015) 61 Cal.4th 899
Determining that standard arbitration clause is not unconscionable
Sanchez v. Valencia Holding Co., LLC (2015) 61 Cal.4th 899
Determining that standard arbitration clause is not unconscionable
In a watershed decision defining the limits of a substantive unconscionability challenge, Mr. Olson successfully obtained the California Supreme Court’s validation of the arbitration provision found in standard automobile purchase contracts throughout the state, reversing a contrary Court of Appeal decision.
Farmers Insurance Exchange v. Superior Court (2013) 220 Cal.App.4th 1199
Writ petition establishing critical insurance doctrine.
Farmers Insurance Exchange v. Superior Court (2013) 220 Cal.App.4th 1199
Writ petition establishing critical insurance doctrine.
Mr. Olson successfully obtained an appellate writ directing the trial court to grant summary judgment that no homeowner’s policy coverage was afforded for “negligently supervising” a child run over by automobile where the policy excluded motor vehicle loss; the decision holds that there is no coverage where the “instrumentality of harm” is an excluded risk
Celador Internat., Inc. v. American Broadcasting Cos., Inc. (9th Cir. 2012) 499 Fed.Appx. 721
$300 million “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” verdict against Disney affirmed
Celador Internat., Inc. v. American Broadcasting Cos., Inc. (9th Cir. 2012) 499 Fed.Appx. 721
$300 million “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” verdict against Disney affirmed
Part of the team that obtained affirmance of $300 million contract judgment against Disney arising out of Disney’s refusal to pay profits owed on the wildly successful “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” program.
Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions, Inc. (2011) 52 Cal.4th 541 (amicus)
Critical amicus involvement in limiting medical damage claims
Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions, Inc. (2011) 52 Cal.4th 541 (amicus)
Critical amicus involvement in limiting medical damage claims
In this landmark case limiting medical damages claims to amounts actually paid – an issue worth billions of dollars annually – Mr. Olson prepared an amicus curiae brief and argued the matter (a rare event for an amicus) before the California Supreme Court.
Ladd v. Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. (2010) 184 Cal.App.4th 1298
Obtained groundbreaking royalties for film producer
Ladd v. Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. (2010) 184 Cal.App.4th 1298
Obtained groundbreaking royalties for film producer
Successfully obtained affirmance of judgment in favor of noted film producer based on studio’s improper “straight line” allocation of film package fees. Established principle that just because everyone in the industry engages in a practice (“straightlining”) doesn’t mean that it is reasonable.
Publications
Speaking and Involvement
Professional Associations
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