Robert W. Frank, General Attorney in San Diego, California
focused on General, Medical Malpractice, and Personal Injury
San Diego, CA
Trusted general attorney serving San Diego.
Practices in
Are you Robert W. Frank?
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Quick answer
Robert W. Frank is an attorney based in San Diego, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on General, Medical Malpractice, and Personal Injury. Currently practicing at Chihak & Associates.
- Based in
- San Diego, CALIFORNIA
- Experience
- attorney
- Known for
- General · Medical Malpractice · Personal Injury
- Handles General, Medical Malpractice, and Personal Injury matters from San Diego, CALIFORNIA.
- Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (San Diego) (2020).
About Robert W. Frank: Robert W. Frank is an attorney based in San Diego, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on General, Medical Malpractice, and Personal Injury. Currently practicing at Chihak & Associates.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by Robert W. Frank
Robert concentrates on general, medical malpractice, and personal injury. Each area below outlines the kind of case Robert handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
General
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Medical Malpractice
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Personal Injury
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General cases in San Diego, California
Robert takes general matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Robert agrees to represent you.
Medical Malpractice cases in San Diego, California
Robert takes medical malpractice matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Robert agrees to represent you.
Personal Injury cases in San Diego, California
Robert takes personal injury matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Robert agrees to represent you.
Biography
About Robert W. Frank — Attorney of California general experience
Robert W. Frank is an attorney based in San Diego, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on General, Medical Malpractice, and Personal Injury. Currently practicing at Chihak & Associates.
Robert Frank, Senior Trial Lawyer, joined Neil Dymott in 1980. He has been a shareholder in the law firm since 1988. Mr. Frank specializes in civil litigation defense trial work and administrative licensing hearings for various types of healthcare professionals, with an emphasis on medical, dental, chiropractic and nursing specialties. He also handles a variety of other general civil litigation including, professional liability, medical malpractice and administrative licensing matters as well as medical staff privilege issues.
Since joining Neil Dymott, Mr. Frank has tried over 60 cases to jury verdict in State and Federal Courts and has handled over 100 healthcare professional licensing matters, including numerous successful trials and appeals of those cases. He served as a Board member, President and Vice President of the San Diego Defense Lawyers from 1993 to 1997 and is an elected member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Mr. Frank is past director of the San Diego County Barristers Club and currently is a faculty member of the San Diego Inn of Court College of Trial Advocacy.
Mr. Frank was named one of San Diego's Top Attorneys in Insurance Law by the San Diego Daily Transcript in 2006 and 2011 and has been selected as one of San Diego'sSuper Lawyers by the publishers of Law & Politics Magazine since 2007. In 2008, he was selected as on of San Diego's "Top 50" Super Lawyers. Since 2009, he has been named by his peers as one of San Diego's Top Lawyers in San Diego Magazine and has been named annually by his peers since 2008 as among the Best Lawyers of America® for Professional and Malpractice Law.
The San Diego Superior Court has appointed Mr. Frank as an arbitrator in civil cases and he has served as a private mediator and arbitrator in other civil cases. Aside from practicing law, he is an avid surfer, enjoys golf and spending time with his children and friends.How Robert handles general matters
Robert Frank, Senior Trial Lawyer, joined Neil Dymott in 1980. He has been a shareholder in the law firm since 1988. Mr. Frank specializes in civil litigation defense trial work and administrative licensing hearings for various types of healthcare professionals, with an emphasis on medical, dental, chiropractic and nursing specialties. He also handles a variety of other general civil litigation…
Who Robert represents
Robert reviews new inquiries case-by-case for general, medical malpractice, and personal injury matters in San Diego and the surrounding California area.
Credentials
Robert W. Frank's legal education and bar admissions
University of California Hastings College of the Law
J.D. · 1980
Robert studied at J.D. in University of California Hastings College of the Law.
Law school and academic background
Robert completed J.D. in University of California Hastings College of the Law. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Robert runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Awards, publications, and recognition of Robert W. Frank
Robert has received 17 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Lawyer of the Year — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (San Diego)
2020
Lawyer of the Year — Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants (San Diego)
2019
Lawyer of the Year — Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants (San Diego)
2017
Lawyer of the Year — Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants (San Diego)
2015
Best Lawyers in America — Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Administrative / Regulatory Law
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Medical Malpractice Law
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Professional Malpractice Law
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Professional Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Dental
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Medical Negligence
2026
Legal awards and honors
Lawyer of the Year — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (San Diego) (2020). Lawyer of the Year — Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants (San Diego) (2019). Lawyer of the Year — Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants (San Diego) (2017). Lawyer of the Year — Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants (San Diego) (2015). Best Lawyers in America — Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2026).
Locations
Robert W. Frank's office in San Diego
Robert's primary office is at 12555 High Bluff Drive, Suite 150, San Diego, California, 12555. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Chihak & Associates
12555 High Bluff Drive, Suite 150
San Diego, California 12555
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Client reviews of Robert W. Frank
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire Robert W. Frank — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new general attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Robert usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Robert charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Robert's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Robert will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a general attorney in San Diego, California
A short list to run through before you commit: How many general matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Robert
Robert discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in general practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every general matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Robert confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Robert's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many general practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Robert W. Frank
How much does it cost to hire Robert for a general case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Robert walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Robert offer a free consultation?
Robert charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Robert's office. Some general attorneys offer free consults — check Robert's current terms during booking.
How long do general cases in California typically take?
Simple general matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Robert gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Robert take my case if I'm outside San Diego?
Robert is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Robert will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Robert?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Robert will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Robert accepting new general clients right now?
Robert's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
General attorneys serving San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California
Robert handles general matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified general attorneys in that community.
- San Diego16,903 attorneys
- Los Angeles39,975 attorneys
- San Francisco26,380 attorneys
- Sacramento10,561 attorneys
- Irvine6,831 attorneys
- Oakland5,709 attorneys
- San Jose5,009 attorneys
- Palo Alto4,084 attorneys
- Beverly Hills3,348 attorneys
- Newport Beach3,106 attorneys
- Pasadena2,894 attorneys
- Santa Monica2,756 attorneys
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