Obituaries

Donald A. Robinson, one of the most prominent, respected and admired attorneys in New Jersey, leading principal in law firms bearing his name, passed away Saturday, August 3, at his home in Locust. Ron Riccio, Dean Emeritus of Seton Hall Law School, who was one of Robinson’s partners in his first law firm, remembered Robinson in these words:     

"Don was one of the great lawyers in the history of New Jersey. Whether as a fearless advocate for his clients, a mentor of young lawyers, a generous benefactor to disadvantaged kids growing up in inner cities, a believer in the importance of balancing family life and work, or as a creator of programs and institutions that have survived the test of time, Don was a success. He has left an indelible mark for the better on the many lives he touched."

Mr. Robinson was born in Riverton, New Jersey, and grew up in Palmyra. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Robinson joined the army and served in the European theatre through the end of the war. Upon his return, Robinson enrolled in Dickinson College, and then attended Columbia University Law School. He became a member of the New York and New Jersey Bars.

Mr. Robinson began his legal career as a Law Clerk to federal judges in both New York and New Jersey. He then entered private practice. He quickly became a leading figure, especially as a litigator in New Jersey, becoming a partner at Shanley & Fisher, at the time in Newark.

In 1971, Robinson started his own firm in Newark. Among his first clients was the Newark Star-Ledger. “Our beloved Ledger,” as Robinson called his founding client, remained his revered lifelong client. The relationship propelled Robinson’s firm to the forefront of law firms defending freedom of the press.

Robinson gained notoriety soon after starting his firm, representing French Connection defendant and international spy Roger Delouette, and political operative John J. Kenny, a key player in corruption prosecutions brought against Jersey City officials. Soon thereafter, Robinson became personal counsel to heiress Doris Duke, then embroiled in a court battle with the managers of her principal trust. Robinson was later instrumental in managing the legal and logistical aspects of Miss Duke’s assistance to her friend Imelda Marcos, upon the deposing of Imelda’s husband, Ferdinand Marcos, as President of The Philippines. He also represented Robert Brennan in various legal controversies in which Mr. Brennan was involved.

As prominent as his law practice was, it is Robinson’s philosophy of life and the way he treated people that is the hallmark of his legacy. Robinson started his first firm with a small group of smart, younger, up-and-coming lawyers. This began a pattern, with Robinson attracting and mentoring younger lawyers whom he helped guide in a supportive and family-like environment. Robinson called his law-firm colleagues his “teammates.” They affectionately referred to him as the “Chief”, an appellation quickly picked up by Robinson’s admirers throughout the legal community.

For decades, Robinson’s law firm participated in annual charity softball tournaments benefiting inner-city kids. Robinson not only co-founded the tournaments, but he pitched every game. The games, against rival law firms, were fiercely competitive, but built on a foundation of collegiality, aspects which reflected Robinson’s personality and his approach to the practice of law.

Robinson’s attitude toward his peers, marked by a mixture of competitiveness and camaraderie, was reflected in his role as leader of his law firm. Invariably, his good-natured “advice” to his younger firm colleagues before their leaving for a court appearance was “win or don’t come back.” The message: be a strong and tenacious advocate for your client. Clients picked up on this attitude set by Robinson, and his law firms accordingly grew and prospered.

Robinson fostered and projected a family-oriented approach within his firm. He held annual Parents Night dinners. Additionally, Robinson started a tradition of annual summer celebrations with his attorneys and their entire families, featuring talent shows, tennis, badminton, ping pong, swimming races, skits, and egg tossing competitions. Without fail, every celebration ended with a group hug, and the singing of Robinson’s favorite song, “You Are My Sunshine”, always featuring him at the piano.  

Robinson’s philosophy of life carried over to those he interacted with in the legal community, on the Bench and at the Bar. He considered all the members of the New Jersey Federal Court system, whether Judges, Magistrate Judges, United States Marshals, Court Clerks and others, as members of what he called “our Federal Family.” Robinson’s reputation was not just for excellence, but for personal concern, warm relations, cooperation, all built on deep respect for those who made the system work and work well.

Robinson’s contributions to the Bench and Bar included his long-time service as an advisor to the Federal judiciary on various subjects, including merit selection of United States Magistrate Judges and New Jersey State Court Judges. Robinson also served as President of the New Jersey Federal Bar Association. He chaired the Federal Court's Lawyers Advisory Committee for 14 years, and was a former Chair of the Third Circuit's Lawyers Advisory Committee. Robinson co-founded the Historical Society of the Federal Court for the New Jersey District, and was its President for 15 years, serving thereafter as Chairman of the Board.

He served as President of the Association of the Federal Bar, where he was also an active member of its Board of Advisors. He was the first recipient of the Judge John F. Gerry Award of the Camden County Bar Association for his outstanding contributions to the Judiciary and the Bar. In 2001, he was the first recipient of a Professionalism Award presented by the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law. To honor Robinson’s immense contributions to New Jersey’s Federal Courts, a bronze plaque bearing his likeness is located in the lobby of the Federal Courthouse in Newark.

Robinson’s commitment to Newark was unstinting. He refused to relocate his firms outside the City. Robinson’s support of St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark was just as steadfast. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the school for many years, and as a mentor and benefactor. Robinson’s commitment to education, particularly to those of limited means, is reflected in his long association with and support of The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which honored Robinson with its Award of Excellence.

He was also a staunch supporter of the Arts. As a young lawyer living in Greenwich Village, he would often go to City Center to watch New York City Ballet perform. Years later, Robinson got involved with New Jersey Ballet and served on its Board of Trustees. He later became its President and ultimately its Chairman of the Board.  

Robinson’s support for the Arts and for the City of Newark came together when he became a founding member of the Board of Trustees of New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. In 2010, he received a special on-stage Award at the Annual Gala of NJPAC for his Commitment to the Arts Center and leadership in the City of Newark. He served in the capacity of Trustee and later as an officer of the NJPAC for more than 25 years.

Donald Robinson had a consistent wish he expressed without fail to all his friends, teammates, and loved ones:

May you enjoy health, happiness and success, in that order.

Mr. Robinson’s life was a life well-lived. He was a giver, not a taker. To paraphrase the words of his favorite song, he was the sunshine of so many lives, that’s why he’ll always stay around.

Mr. Robinson is survived by his daughter Barbara DeLaney-Smith and her husband Cort Smith, grandson, Hunter Smith, and numerous nephews and nieces. His beloved wife Jean, Robinson’s high-school sweetheart, passed away in 2000.

A celebration of Mr. Robinson’s life will be scheduled for a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Robinson’s memory to New Jersey Ballet. Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank, NJ has been entrusted with the arrangements.