He previously served as an assistant United States attorney for the same district from 1997 to 2003 and again from 2005 to 2020.

[2] Robinson began his career as a trial attorney in the United States Department of Justice Criminal Division's Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, where he worked from 1993 to 1997.

He then returned to the United States Attorney's Office and was Deputy Chief of the General Crimes Section in 2007.

President Trump nominated Robinson to the seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of California vacated by Judge Marilyn L. Huff, who assumed senior status on September 30, 2016.

[3] On January 3, 2020, his nomination was returned to the President under Rule XXXI, Paragraph 6 of the United States Senate.