Overview

Robin Thornton is a seasoned general civil litigator with a focused practice in real estate valuation disputes. She represents public and private entities, businesses and individuals in complex matters involving eminent domain, property tax appeals and assessment challenges. With a results-driven approach and deep understanding of valuation principles, Robin helps clients navigate high-stakes litigation with clarity and confidence.

Her practice spans all stages of dispute resolution — from strategic advisory work and pre-litigation planning to hearings, trials and appeals. Drawing on her broad legal experience, Robin offers informed, practical counsel aimed at reducing costs, minimizing risk and achieving efficient outcomes.

Recognized as a thought leader in the field, Robin frequently speaks on key legal issues affecting property owners and government agencies. She regularly collaborates with industry experts to stay ahead of legal developments and deliver innovative solutions tailored to each client’s unique challenges.

Beyond the Law

Robin decided to become a lawyer in fifth grade after participating in a classroom moot court exercise. Since then, she has tried to generate that same interest by volunteering with moot court programs, leading courthouse tours for elementary students and mentoring high school participants in legal education initiatives. Outside of her practice, Robin is usually running – whether in local and destination races, with shelter dogs or simply to keep pace with her two kids.

Insights

Organizations

Community & Professional

Alameda County Bar Association and Contra Costa County Bar Association, Member

International Right of Way Association (IRWA), Chapter Two, Executive Board, 2020-2023

Inns of Court, Former Member

Honors

Honors & Recognitions

Named "Professional of the Year" by the International Right of Way Association (IRWA), Chapter Two, 2022-2023

Selected as a Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business Honoree, San Francisco Business Times, 2022

Named a Legal Visionary in the Business of Law, L.A. Times, 2021

Selected to the Super Lawyers, Northern California Rising Stars list, for Eminent Domain, 2013-2020

Education

  • University of California, Berkeley, B.A., 2002
  • Golden Gate University School of Law, J.D., 2007

Admissions

  • California
Jump to Page

Nossaman LLP Cookie Preference Center

Your Privacy

When you visit our website, we use cookies on your browser to collect information. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences, or your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to and to provide a more personalized web experience. For more information about how we use Cookies, please see our Privacy Policy.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Always Active

Necessary cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. These cookies may only be disabled by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions.

Functional Cookies

Always Active

Some functions of the site require remembering user choices, for example your cookie preference, or keyword search highlighting. These do not store any personal information.

Form Submissions

Always Active

When submitting your data, for example on a contact form or event registration, a cookie might be used to monitor the state of your submission across pages.

Performance Cookies

Performance cookies help us improve our website by collecting and reporting information on its usage. We access and process information from these cookies at an aggregate level.

Powered by Firmseek