In 2018, Hartford law firm Day Pitney scored what many considered to be a coup when it hired the retiring chief justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, Chase T. Rogers. Now the firm has repeated that feat, hiring the man who succeeded her in the chief justice role, Richard Robinson. “Part of what made Ric […]
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In 2018, Hartford law firm Day Pitney scored what many considered to be a coup when it hired the retiring chief justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, Chase T. Rogers. Now the firm has repeated that feat, hiring the man who succeeded her in the chief justice role, Richard Robinson.
“Part of what made Ric so attractive to us was the experience we have had with Chase since she joined us and the capabilities and experience that she was able to bring to the firm,” said Day Pitney Managing Partner Greg Hayes in a recent interview. “We really do have a unique team of folks who can not only talk the talk, but walk the walk.”
Robinson, a month into his new private practice role, says Rogers’ example has always been important for him.
“Chase is one of my biggest mentors, so I’ve always watched her and the things she was doing,” he said. “Even when I got on the Supreme Court and was a justice with her, I relished the moments where we didn’t agree and had to suss things out and figure out the path forward. I’m a big fan — huge fan.”
When he assumed the role in 2018, Robinson, now 66, was the first Black chief justice of the state Supreme Court. He brought a notable focus on diversity, equity and inclusion to the court system and to his oversight of the judicial branch.
It’s something that Hayes said made him a great fit for Day Pitney.
“It’s a business imperative,” he said. “In our current marketplace, clients insist on diversity on the teams that are providing the client services. It was just such a great opportunity to have Ric join that team.”
Robinson has already done a DEI presentation for the attorneys at the firm, and is offering those services to client companies as well.
“Employers have to have a big umbrella when they’re dealing with these employment issues,” Robinson said. “And a lot of these issues can be cut off at the very start by having a culturally accepting and culturally competent environment. It’s providing an entire package, not just the lawyering, but the other things that you need in order to solve the problems.”
In addition to his DEI role, he will be getting involved in appellate review, investigations, regulatory law, mediations and arbitrations.
“I plan to be what I would describe as a utility infielder,” he said.
It’s Robinson’s first significant experience with private practice. Prior to being appointed to the bench in 2000, he was a staff attorney and corporate counsel for the city of Stamford. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut in 1979, and a law degree from West Virginia University School of Law in 1984.
Different perspectives
The two back-to-back hires somewhat break a mold in Connecticut. While it’s not unheard of to go into private practice, most people who step down from the position of Connecticut Supreme Court chief justice either retire, or assume senior status — essentially an emeritus position where they occasionally hear cases.
Rogers, who said she has enjoyed her time in private practice at Day Pitney, believes the dynamic she shares with Robinson should be fruitful for the firm.
“While Justice Robinson and I are dear friends, we don’t always share the same views of the case, right?” she said. “So now you’ve got two different people who may have very different takes on a case and what’s effective and what’s not effective. So, I think that’s a real opportunity for clients as well.”
Rogers, 67, had spent time in private practice with Cummings & Lockwood before she was appointed to the bench in 1998. She is a graduate of Stanford University and Boston University School of Law. The judicial experience of both chief justices is being put to direct use at Day Pitney in terms of trial preparation.
“We have a lot of clients who, because we have Ric and Chase, are interested in doing moot court experiences before our now-retired chief justices to have some insight as to how a litigation or appellate litigation will go,” Hayes said.
Rogers says in the six years she’s been with Day Pitney, in addition to investigative work, she’s contributed by reading and critiquing briefs for her colleagues, pointing out where judges may find flaws or need more explanation of a case. And for her, the moot court aspect is also important.
“It helps a lawyer, number one, to be able to tell a judge, ‘this is really why we should win under the law,’ and hopefully be persuasive about it,” she said. “And two, it gives a lawyer an opportunity to think about the types of hard questions that they’re going to be asked, so they’re not trying to come up with those answers while they’re standing in front of the judge.”
For Hayes, in addition to the legal expertise he can now call on, the two former chief justices bring considerable personal and managerial skills to the firm, developing talent and acting as trusted advisors to colleagues.
“I’d be grateful to have every retired chief justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court choose to join us in our firm,” he said.
