Charlotte lawyer Russell Robinson, an influential leader in North Carolina civic and philanthropic affairs for decades while building a law firm that now has nearly 180 lawyers, died Friday. He was 93.
The Charlotte native co-founded the Robinson Bradshaw firm that has represented many of the state’s best-known businesses and entrepreneurs.
The couple worked closely with former chancellors Jim Woodward (far left) and Philip Dubois (right).
Known for his expertise in securities law, Robinson’s book, “Robinson on North Carolina Corporation Law,” is in its seventh edition.
Robinson and his wife, Sally, were active in many Charlotte charitable and philanthropic groups. He chaired the board of the Duke Endowment for many years, chaired the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees and was a board member at Duke University.
“He’s the best lawyer I’ve ever been around, but he saw the community as a place we needed to serve,” longtime law partner Richard Vinroot told the Charlotte Observer. Vinroot is a former Charlotte mayor and Republican gubernatorial candidate.
Robinson attended Woodberry Forest for high school, then earned a bachelor’s degree at Princeton University and a law degree from Duke. He returned to Charlotte in 1956, then joined Robert Bradshaw and Carlton Fleming to form their own firm in 1960. He retired in 2013 with the title “founder emeritus.”
He is survived by his wife, Sally, three adult children, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
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