Queens, NY – In his first job at a major law firm, Judge Stephen
C. Robinson learned that success demands something more than hard
work: it requires the ability to listen.
As the first African-American in the firm, Judge Robinson told
one of the partners that he wanted to be a “great
litigator.” The partner told Judge Robinson that would not
happen. When Judge Robinson pressed the partner, the older attorney
explained that Robinson already was a “good” litigator, but that
greatness was a different matter.
Determined to achieve his goal, Judge Robinson asked the partner
to review and critique all of his writing and work habits. The
partner gladly complied, and Judge Robinson eagerly listened. The
lessons he learned propelled him to his present position as Judge
for the Southern District of New York.
Judge Robinson shared his experiences with students and
professors as part of St. John’s University’s “Visiting Jurist
Series” on Tuesday, September 20. Speaking in the Mattone Family
Atrium at St. John’s School of Law, Judge Robinson drew upon his
own life to illustrate the qualities that lead to success in the
law.
When presented with criticism, Judge Robinson said, lawyers must
“look inside” themselves to see how they can apply what they have
heard. The goal, he explained, is “to make yourself better.” Judge
Robinson also attributed his success to viewing himself as “a
commodity,” always striving to add value to the teams he
joined.
A graduate of Cornell University’s School of Law, Judge Robinson
was appointed to the Southern District bench in 2003. He presides
over criminal and civil matters in Westchester, Orange, Rockland,
Sullivan, Putnam and Dutchess counties.
Judge Robinson’s career has encompassed corporate and civil law.
In addition to having served as an associate at a corporate law
firm, Judge Robinson also served as an Assistant United States
Attorney for the Southern District of new York (1987-91), as
Associate General Counsel and then Managing Director at Kroll
Associates (1991-93), as Principal Deputy General Counsel of the
F.B.I. (1993-1998) and as U.S. Attorney for the District of
Connecticut (1998-2003).