Stephen Robinson, a partner in the Litigation and Government Enforcement & White Collar Crime practices at Skadden,Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates, has been named chair of the New York City Bar Association's Committee to Enhance Diversity in the Profession. The committee was established in 1990, with Cyrus R. Vance as its first chair.
Prior to joining Skadden in 2010, Mr. Robinson served as a federal judge in the Southern District of New York, after being nominated by President George W. Bush in 2003. Before that, Mr. Robinson was the U.S. attorney for the District of Connecticut, serving for three years after being nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1998. From 1993 to 1995, Mr. Robinson was principal deputy general counsel and special assistant to the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where he participated in the Oklahoma City bombing investigation. From 1987 to 1991, Mr. Robinson was an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Robinson began his career in the private sector, serving as associate general counsel and managing director at Kroll Associates and chief compliance officer at Aetna U.S. Healthcare.
"We are fortunate indeed to have Judge Robinson's leadership on diversity," said New York City Bar President Samuel W. Seymour. "His stellar experience and accomplishments run the gamut of the legal profession, from private practice to public service, and he is full of ideas on how to take our diversity efforts to the next level."
"I am honored to chair this committee and take up this challenge at the New York City Bar Association," said Mr. Robinson. "Especially in uncertain economic times, we must redouble our efforts to maintain the advances we've made and to ensure that the legal profession reflects our society in the future."
In 1991, the association adopted its first Statement of Goals of New York Law Firms and Corporate Legal Departments for Increasing Minority Representation and Retention. The Association's 2003 Statement of Diversity Principles, with over 100 law firm and corporate signatories, placed particular emphasis on retention and promotion and on measurement to help facilitate additional progress in diversity.