by Monica Chamness
Staff Writer
Robin K. Roberts had an alternate plan just in case her law career failed to materialize.
While pursuing her undergraduate studies in political science and public administration at Florida A&M University, Roberts secured an internship with the Central Intelligence Agency. Her summers were spent as a junior analyst covering the political developments in Haiti and Cuba.
“It was my plan B in case I didn’t go to law school,” she explained. “I went just for the experience but I didn’t want to move [to Washington, D.C.] because my family is here.”
Today, Roberts, an attorney who practices personal injury, family law, probate, criminal and general civil litigation, is president of the D.W. Perkins Bar Association, which boasts 115 members and is dedicated to furthering the interests of African-Americans in the legal community.
Formed in the 1960s when African-Americans were not permitted access to main stream bar associations, the D.W. Perkins Bar remains despite the integration of these groups.
“Specialized bars are able to deal with issues particular to us that the larger ones couldn’t,” said Roberts. “No one bar can adequately serve the needs of all of its members.”
Affirmative action, career advancement and ensuring the bench represents the community’s demographics are concerns the bar addresses.
As president, Roberts conducts meetings, represents the organization at different functions, develops pro bono services and sets the bar’s agenda for the year.
“We do legal aid intake [for the indigent] and even accept cases,” said Roberts. “We’ve also done voter registration drives and will probably do it again, plus Habitat for Humanity. We are looking into a mentoring program as well.”
Much has changed in race relations since the days of segregation but not all barriers have been breached.
“I’m fortunate that I haven’t seen any blatant discrimination,” said Roberts. “It’s far better than it used to be. Jacksonville African-American attorneys have made huge improvements and the large firms have made an effort to hire them, plus several are on the bench.”
With just three and a half years of legal experience, Roberts is fairly young to head a bar organization. (She graduated high school in 1991.)
She graduated from the University of Florida College of Law in 1995, going to work as a judicial staff attorney with the 4th Judicial Circuit. She is currently operating out of the private practice of Charlie Gillette.
In her free time, she teaches business law as an adjunct professor at Florida Metropolitan University.
In the eighth grade, Roberts was required to write a paper on what she wanted to be when
she grew up. Law definitely appealed to her, but she had a contingency plan.
With her diploma from Robert E. Lee High School, Roberts joined the United States Army Reserve. She served over five years and achieved the rank of sergeant while juggling her college career.
“My goal was to apply for JAG Corps,” she said.
In the reserves, Roberts was a transportation specialist, preparing cargo lists.
“I never got a chance to go to any wars,” she added.
These days, in addition to being a practicing attorney and Jacksonville Bar Association member, Roberts volunteers to mediate small claim suits and is a member of the Foster Care Citizen Review panel.
“The most rewarding thing is seeing the difference you make in a person’s life,” she said. “People think that attorneys are always about money but to do what we do coupled with the hours we work, if money is your main drive, you wouldn’t last long.”
After her term as president ends, Roberts is pondering a judgeship, starting her own firm or perhaps running for political office.
For the time being, Roberts keeps busy as president of the Young Women’s Christian Council at her church, House of Faith — Church of God in Christ, providing guidance to the congregation. She is also head of the singles ministry there.