Willie Edward Robinson

Born to Hazel and Mamie Robinson, Willie graduated from John Harris Senior High School in Harrisburg, PA in 1970. Four years later he graduated from Yale University with honors and a degree in Psychology. While at Yale, Willie distinguished himself by lettering in Varsity football (1971-73), as he did in high school. He also served as Vice President of the Book & Snake Society and was student coordinator of Minority Recruitment in conjunction with the Yale Admissions Office. Willie entered the University of Virginia (UVa) School of Law, in Charlottesville where he graduated in 1977. While at UVa, Willie served as Convener of the Black American Law Students Association Chapter, Co-coordinator of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Legal Aid Outreach Program and Legal Counsel for Honor Trials. Among his many honors and awards, Willie was a member of the Raven Society and of the Learned Handler Society. In 1993 he was selected as a Thornton F. Bradshaw Fellow at the Claremont Graduate School. Willie began his legal career on Wall Street, as a summer intern prior to graduating. After graduation, he accepted a position as an associate with the prestigious law firm Powell Goldstein in Atlanta. He later worked as an associate with the firm of Parks, Jackson & Howell, before turning to his true calling in 1981 as Associate Professor of Law at Emory University. In 1984, Willie served as a visiting Associate Professor of Law at his alma mater - The University of Virginia. Willie maintained a private practice while teaching law at Emory and UVa. From 1983 onward, Willie was a sought after panelist and lecturer speaking on entertainment and sports law issues, and many of his appearances were televised in the Atlanta area. He was active in his community. He served on over a dozen Boards of Directors; a few of which include the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, Phoenix Arts Society, Georgia Council on Child Abuse and Atlanta Cares. He was also a past President of the Atlanta Bar Association. Willie leaves to celebrate his life and memory two children; Bryant L. Francis of Boise, Idaho and Alexandra R. Robinson of Atlanta, Georgia; his sister, Norma Juanita Robinson Brown of Harrisburg; a niece, Keevah A. Brown of Harrisburg; two nephews, Gerald L. Brown, and Jacques J. Brown of New York, New York; and two aunts; Izola Robinson of Steelton and Margaret Robinson of South Carolina. His services will be in the Hooper Memorial Home Inc., Thursday April 29, 2010 at 12 noon with viewing at 11AM. Willies interment will be at the discretion of the family.