Robinson takes reins as chief justice
State’s top jurist tells of overcoming racism
Richard A. Robinson, Connecticut’s first African-American chief justice, can recite portions of Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales” from memory, is a fourth-degree black belt in karate, and almost didn’t answer the phone when Gov. Dannel P. Malloy called with the offer to become the state’s top jurist.
Robinson, 60, told about 200 people gathered in the historic Supreme Court Chamber on Monday that he’s overcome both implicit and explicit racism. Now, he’ll head an agency with 3,400 employees, 181 judges, 44 courthouses and a $494 million budget.
“The phone rang, I looked at it and saw a number I didn’t recognize,” Robinson recalled of the night the governor asked him to become chief justice. It was in late March, after the state Senate rejected the nomination of Justice Andrew J. McDonald, another Stamford native. Robinson told
his wife Nancy that he thought it was “another” annoying robocall.
“For reasons that are beyond me, Nancy said, ‘I think you should answer it. It might be important,’ ” Robinson said. “Well, as you can see, she was right, again. She saved me from myself, once again.”
Robinson began his career 33 years ago as a lawyer for the city of Stamford, representing the Board of Representatives and the Board of Finance. He recalled worrying about whether he would find a job in the business, when then-Corporation Counsel Jay Sandak — the master of ceremonies for the swearing-in on Monday — took a chance.
“Although it wasn’t that long ago, the landscape for black attorneys in the state was quite different than what it is now,” he said. “With the exception of those who were solo practitioners or members of small self-owned firms, people that looked like me weren’t readily accepted into traditional law firms.”
Robinson recalled a “series of small coincidences” that led to his first interview with Sandak, who is now in private practice. While working in the city law department, some were more welcoming than others.
“I remember attending my first board meeting and upon being introduced as the
new legal representative, one of the members said, in a not-too-silent stage whisper, ‘I guess I’ll have to learn Swahili.’”
In another case, representing a department head in a civil court action that was filed against her, a city employee told the corporation counsel that she didn’t think Robinson was “experienced enough” to represent her.
“I went on to score a victory in court,” he said. “I’ve got to admit I was tempted to tell my now-happy client that I’d like to never represent her again. Fortunately for me I got past that, represented her quite a few times after that and actually have a perfect record.”
While Malloy praised Robinson’s keen mind and judgment, there are other traits.
“Very important to me is that he has been a leader in explaining to others who might not necessarily understand the difficulties of black men and women or other minorities in our community, in our culture, in our state and in our nation,” Malloy said before administering the oath of office. “That he took that upon himself, as a task, as well as other jurists, is greatly appreciated. We’re coming a long way.”
Robinson succeeds Chief Justice Chase Rogers, who retired in February after 10 years leading the court, to return to private practice.