Donald J. Robinson, a bond lawyer who helped build Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe's national practice and represented New York City's Municipal Assistance Corp. over the course of a 45 year career, died June 11. He was 79 years old.
"When I started as a newbie in the mid to late 1970s, he was one of the few public finance lawyers that appeared on every panel," Roger Davis, a partner in Orrick's New York office said in an interview. "He was an icon. He was what my generation thought a bond lawyer was supposed to be."
Robinson joined Orrick in 1987 and helped to build the New York public finance practice, particularly the bond counsel practice for the major New York issuers, Eileen Heitzler, a partner in Orrick's New York office, said in a press release. Robinson was a member of Orrick's executive committee and played an important role in the management and leadership of both the firm and the public finance department.
"During Don's time at Orrick, the firm went from being the number one bond counsel of California to the number one bond counsel in the country," Davis said.
"He was a partner, mentor, counselor, teacher and friend to many of us over the more than a decade that he practiced at Orrick," Heitzler said.
In addition to serving as bond counsel to New York City's Municipal Assistance Corp., an independent firm set up to provide assistance and fiscal oversight to the distressed municipality, Robinson has counseled purchasers of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey competitive bonds as well as its commercial paper program.
He also worked with the Sawhill Commission, helping to determine who would gain control of the Long Island Lighting Co.'s Shoreham nuclear facility.
Over the course of his career, he served as special bond counsel to the Bonneville Power Administration. His focus was to assist in the refinancing of the Washington Public Power Supply System debt. He also worked with the State of Louisiana during its financial crisis in relation to revenue anticipation notes.
Before joining Orrick, Robinson was a partner at Hawkins, Delafield & Wood from 1969 to 1987. Prior to that, he served as a staff member of the Securities and Exchange Commission for three years.
"When Don and his group from Hawkins joined us, it cemented our position as a real New York public finance firm," Davis said. "As a partner Don was a total gentleman. He was always supportive and focused on enhancing the reputation of the firm."
He was also a member of the Municipal Finance Officers Association, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, Practicing Law Institute's Municipal Bond Workshops and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York.
A memorial service will be held June 17 at 2 p.m. at Zion Episcopal Church in Manchester, Vt. There are no visiting hours and interment will be private. Any remembrances may be sent to the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company or Manchester Health Services in care of Brewster & Shea Funeral Service, 34 Park Place, Manchester Center, Vt. 05255.
