CT Chief Justice Richard A. Robinson to retire from state Supreme Court

Justice Richard Robinson, the first Black chief justice of the state Supreme Court, announced his retirement Tuesday, ending a career of more than two decades as a judge at all levels of the state judiciary.

Robinson has served as chief justice since 2018 and has had a seat on the Supreme Court since 2013.

Gov. Ned Lamont disclosed the retirement and commended Robinson for working to improve access to the courts.

“Justice Robinson has provided dedicated public service to the people of Connecticut for four decades, including 24 years as a judge and the most recent six years as Connecticut’s chief justice, imparting our system of justice with well-respected and valued leadership that has improved our courts for the better and is leaving a legacy that benefits the people of our state,” Lamont said.

“During his tenure, Justice Robinson has made improving public access to the courts a hallmark of his approach, recognizing that justice operates best when it operates for everyone.

“He is universally admired as a compassionate, thoughtful, and skillful jurist. I’ve appreciated having him as a partner in state government, particularly during the challenging period at the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic when we worked to keep the critical functions of the courts operational. I thank him for his dedication and commitment to the people of Connecticut, and I wish him nothing but the best on this well-earned retirement.”

State Attorney General William Tong called Robinson “a trail blazer.”

“It was obvious to me, as it has no doubt been to every attorney who has argued before him, what a strong judge and lawyer he is,” Tong said. “His questions were always tough, incisive, and thoughtful. His leadership and mentorship—particularly for lawyers of color—has been incredibly instrumental in all our lives, our careers, and in our bar,” Tong said.

Robinson was particularly sensitive to racial issues, in part because of slights he said he suffered both as a young lawyer in Stamford and later as a judge. Friends said Robinson spoke of being stopped by police while driving, for no apparent reason, and of being falsely accused of shoplifting.

Over his judicial career, colleagues said he pushed to expand diversity and inclusion in the state Judicial Branch, while increasing public confidence in the courts.

Perhaps in contrast, Robinson became one of the more conservative of the members of the court in terms of support for the prosecution in criminal appeals, court watchers said.

Lamont’s office said he will nominate a successor to Robinson “on a later date.”

Lawyers and judges were floating names of possible successors almost immediately. Among them were Chief Appellate Court Judge William H. Bright Jr., Associate Supreme Court Justice Raheem L. Mullins, now the court’s only Black justice; and Associate Supreme Court Justice Andrew McDonald, whose nomination as chief justice six years ago by former Gov. Dannel Malloy failed in the view of some Democrats because of a bitter, partisan fight in the Legislature.

Robinson, a native of Stamford, is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and the West Virginia University School of Law. He was admitted to the West Virginia Bar and the Connecticut Bar, and is a member of the federal courts in the Northern District of West Virginia and Connecticut.

He worked at the city of Stamford law department until his appointment as a Superior Court Judge in 2000, after which he had a variety of assignments in different districts. He was appointed to the state Appellate Court in 2007.