Speaking the Language of Real Estate, Business and the Law The strength of the team is each member. The strength of each member is the team. –Phil Jackson
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obert P. Robinson, Esq. always wanted to lead his own legal team and firm, but early on realized that at the age of 25 with no law experience hanging out a shingle would be at best a risky way to begin a career. He invested the next five years working with a top firm, studying, applying his skills, listening to experienced mentors, and developing a client list before taking the step. When he made the big move it was to a small, single rented desk in the office of a friend. When his associate moved on to another market, he took over the entire office. Soon Robinson, as Managing Partner, was joined by a member of his former firm, Dennis Hickman, now Of Counsel. Kyle Yaege, Partner, joined their legal team four years later. The three have created something of an “all-star team” for clients seeking attorneys who speak the language of business as well as the language of the law. The firm primarily represents business owners, about half of those clients are in real estate such as developers, contractors, brokers, agents, property managers, property owners, hotel owners, architects, investors and in other related fields. The businesses in the other half of their client list varies greatly and ranges from large international companies, to mid-size firms, and sole proprietors operating out of their home. Their clients are in a wide variety of businesses including medical, dental, legal, biopharmaceuticals, restaurants, marketing, technology, web-based businesses, sale of goods, athletes, entertainment and entrepreneurs. 16
Attorney Journal San Diego | Volume 181, 2018
One of the key advantages of Hickman & Robinson, LLP is the ability of the management team to “speak business” as well as understanding the equally complex terminology of the law. Robinson was a business major and worked as a real estate agent to pay his way through school and he is still an active investor in real estate and other business ventures. “I like my clients and I think they like me in part because we have a common bond through our business experiences. We have shared many challenges that, if I had worked only in the legal profession, I would never know of or could truly understand,” Robinson says. All the members of this three-attorney team are or have been owners of businesses outside the legal