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Key Facts
- National overview: William T. “Bill” Robinson III served as the 135th President of the American Bar Association from 2011 to 2012.
- National overview: Prior to leading the organization as president, he acted as the ABA Treasurer from 2005 to 2008.
- National overview: He spent a decade on the ABA Board of Governors and more than 30 years in the ABA House of Delegates.
- State level: At the state level, he led the legal community as the 50th President of the Kentucky Bar Association from 1985 to 1986.
- State level: He maintained a private law practice as a partner and member-in-charge at the Florence, Kentucky, office of Frost Brown Todd LLC.
- National overview: He was appointed as the chairman of the National Judicial College Board of Trustees in 2016.
- State level: He passed away on May 9, 2017, concluding a lifetime of dedicated service to both state and national legal institutions.
William T. “Bill” Robinson III (1945–2017) was a prominent American attorney who held significant legal leadership roles at both the state and national levels. Known for his extensive service to the legal profession, he is prominently recognized in historical records for his term as the 135th President of the American Bar Association (ABA). His career spanned decades of involvement in professional organizations, shaping legal policy discussions across the United States.
Leadership in the American Bar Association
Robinson dedicated over thirty years of service to the American Bar Association. Before reaching the highest office, he served as the ABA Treasurer from 2005 to 2008. During his long tenure, he also spent ten years on the ABA Board of Governors and represented his colleagues in the ABA House of Delegates for over three decades, contributing to numerous internal policy debates and structural decisions within the organization.
From 2011 to 2012, Robinson served as the 135th President of the ABA. During this historical term, he represented the interests of lawyers nationwide and led initiatives focused on the administration of justice and proper funding for the court system. His presidency forms a key part of the American Bar Association’s historical leadership, alongside other past leaders who navigated complex national legal issues during their respective terms.
State Level Legal Impact and Leadership in Kentucky
Beyond his national profile, Robinson was a central figure in the Kentucky legal community. At the state level, he served as the 50th President of the Kentucky Bar Association from 1985 to 1986. His leadership extended to the Kentucky Bar Foundation, where he also held the presidency from 1988 to 1989. These state-level roles established his reputation as a committed advocate for the legal profession within his home state.
Throughout his professional practice, Robinson maintained a strong connection to his local community. He worked as a partner and served as the member-in-charge of the Florence, Kentucky, office of the law firm Frost Brown Todd LLC. His educational foundation also remained in the state, having graduated from Thomas More College in 1967 before earning his legal degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1971.
Contributions to Judicial Education and Legacy
In 2016, Robinson expanded his national administrative contributions when he was named chairman of the National Judicial College Board of Trustees. He had previously served on the board since 2013 as its treasurer. This role highlighted his ongoing commitment to judicial education and the proper functioning of the court system.
Robinson passed away on May 9, 2017, after a battle with lung cancer. Historical records maintained by state organizations, the American Bar Association, and various judicial colleges continue to preserve the details of his extensive service. His contributions remain documented in legal archives, reflecting a long career dedicated to professional governance and the advancement of the legal system. He frequently participated in ABA events and policy dialogues, similar to other historic moments captured in speeches at the ABA Annual Meeting.
