Donald A. Robinson, a prominent, respected and admired attorney and leading principal in law firms bearing his name, passed away Aug. 3, 2024, at his home in Locust.
Robinson was born in Riverton and grew up in Palmyra. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he joined the army and served in the European theatre until 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 Bar associations.
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 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, he 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 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.
As prominent as his law practice was, it was Robinson’s philosophy of life and the way he treated people that were the hallmarks 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 “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 also 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 members of the New Jersey Federal Court system – judges, magistrate judges, United States Marshals, court clerks and others – part of “our federal family.” Robinson’s reputation was not just for excellence, but for personal concern, warm relations and 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 school’s board of directors for many years and as a mentor and benefactor. Robinson’s commitment to education, particularly for 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 the 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 the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. 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’s life was one 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.
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 Robinson’s life will be scheduled for a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in his memory to the New Jersey Ballet. Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank has been entrusted with the arrangements.
The article originally appeared in the August 15 – 21, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
