Judge Robinson's professional achievements defy categorization. His more than 30-year career includes three impressive and distinctive chapters, when any one chapter on its own would merit a Lifetime Achievement honor. His work in the public sector alone would provide ample reason to honor him, however, intertwined with his government work is a second career in the private sector that by itself marks him as a lawyer of distinction. Not being contented with his work in the public and private sectors, Judge Robinson has combined those careers with a third as citizen-lawyer who volunteers his time in service of others.

Judge Robinson started his public sector career as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York where he was awarded the Department of Justice's Director's Award for Superior Service. Later, he served as the Principal Deputy General Counsel and Special Assistant to the Director of the FBI. While at the Bureau he investigated espionage and terrorism matters including the first World Trade Center and the Oklahoma City bombings. U.S. Presidents from both political parties have nominated him for positions requiring Senate confirmation. First, President Clinton nominated Judge Robinson to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut where his office conducted high profile public corruption investigations leading to the conviction of the Governor, and the mayors of two major cities. President George W. Bush nominated Judge Robinson for a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. During his tenure on the bench, he presided over the full array of civil matters and criminal cases including the conviction and sentencing of a former New York City Police Commissioner.

Judge Robinson worked has a private investigator and managing director at Kroll Associates where he performed high profile international investigations. His first was the investigation of alleged war crimes by the Iraqi army during their occupation of Kuwait. That investigation became the definitive word on what happened in the Kuwaiti hospitals during that time. He then was hired by the Brazilian Congress to investigate President Collor de Mello, who resigned his office as a result of the international investigation. Judge Robinson's private sector career continued with stints as the Chief Compliance Officer of Aetna U.S. Healthcare, and as CEO of Empower New Haven, where he designed, developed, implemented and managed a strategic plan for the New Haven Empowerment Zone. For the last decade Judge Robinson has been a partner in the litigation and the government enforcement and white-collar crime group at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom, where he has represented corporations in multi-district, class action and civil litigations along with individuals and corporations in criminal matters.

Owing to a relentless work ethic and too little sleep Judge Robinson has crafted an extraordinary third career as a citizen-lawyer. He currently serves as a trustee on four prominent boards: Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Cornell University, The New York Community Trust, and Weill Cornell Medicine. Additionally, he is the Civilian Representative chosen by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to oversee the New York City Police Department's terrorism investigations. He also serves on the Skadden Fellowship Advisory Committee and as the co-chair of Skadden's Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. He is a past board member of the Brennan Center for Justice, Legal Outreach, MFY Legal Services (now Mobilization for Justice), the Colin Powell School at CCNY, and the Innocence Project's Lawyers Committee. Lastly, Judge Robinson serves as a mentor, sponsor, and champion to dozens of protégés and colleagues who have benefited from his thoughtful counsel, support, and generosity.

Melique Jones is director of talent pipeline and diversity, equity and inclusion at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.