William P. Robinson III, M.A. ’67, has joined the Rhode Island Supreme Court while Lincoln D. Almond ’85 is now a federal magistrate judge.
By Maria V. Caliri ’86, M.B.A. ’92Photo(s) by Nora Lewis
While in Belgium studying the works of Erasmus, William P. Robinson III pondered about more than the humanist’s influence on French literature. Indeed, he worried about the job market in his native America and his prospects for finding employment. Determined to increase his marketability in an unstable economy, this “poet at heart,” who received an M.A. in French literature at URI in 1967 and a Ph.D. in French and Spanish literature from the University of Connecticut, took the Law School Admission Test in Mannheim, Germany.
Robinson earned a J.D. at Boston College and enjoyed a distinguished career at the Providence-based firm of Edwards & Angell, LLP. During his 27-year tenure, the multitalented Robinson attained fluency in the language of law just as readily as he absorbed his studies of French, Spanish, German, Latin, and Greek. Notably, he built a reputation as an expert in the areas of privacy and defamation law.
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Yet, for all the confidence he bears in presenting these issues at the trial and appellate levels, Robinson felt less than assured last summer about his nomination to Rhode Island’s Supreme Court. Having been passed over more than once for a seat on the court, he thought that success might again elude him. With only 24 hours left for the General Assembly to act on his nomination, Robinson could only wait for the State Legislature to call him.
“I experienced moments of discouragement. Everyone at the office came by asking if I’d heard anything. I couldn’t just sit and wait any longer, so I took some papers to the Barrington Public Library and worked there for the rest of the day. When I returned, I walked into my office to a ringing phone.”
Confirmed the next day, Robinson joined a court led by Chief Justice Frank J. Williams, who has described Robinson as an individual with “an almost bulldog tenacity in grappling with the issues.” Robinson laughs at that description, yet concedes that he rarely gives up or wavers once he has made up his mind. Robinson returns the compliment by describing Williams as a competent leader breaking new ground.
Williams supported and helped bring to fruition the Office of Court Interpreters, opened last fall. The first of its kind in Rhode Island, it is comprised of bilingual interpreters trained to assist the tens of thousands who come to the courts annually and face language barriers. As a linguist and judge, Robinson lauds the program.
“We’re obligated as a society to be sensitive to the non-English-speaking population and to make whatever adjustments are necessary within reason to be accommodating. It’s almost analogous to meeting the needs of those with physical limitations.”
Although Robinson has not had to translate court proceedings into foreign languages, he has been interpreting the laws affecting the issues brought before the court. Since oral arguments began in September, Robinson has opined on cases involving myriad issues from domestic violence to residential property boundaries.
Happily ensconced in his new role and the exciting challenges it brings, Robinson has transitioned smoothly to the other side of the bench with the help of “very supportive and welcoming justices and staff.”
Another URI alumnus who is relying on colleagues to help him become acclimated to the judiciary is Lincoln D. Almond, who was appointed a federal magistrate judge for the U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island, in June 2004.
Almond, the son of former Rhode Island Governor Lincoln C. Almond ’58 and former First Lady Marilyn Almond ’58, earned a B.S. in accounting in 1985. Since beginning his eight-year term on the bench in September 2004, Almond has turned to fellow magistrate judge David L. Martin ’68 for advice and assistance. “I can’t imagine a better colleague than David Martin to teach me the ropes,” said Almond. “He is extremely bright and thorough. At any time, he will stop what he’s doing to listen to me and explain. He’s been invaluable.”
Like Robinson, Almond was a partner at Edwards & Angell, LLC, and practiced in the area of labor and employment law for 14 years. “My concentration was exciting but fairly narrow, and I was ready to try something different. It is very invigorating to start at square one. Every day brings a new twist.”
Almond’s new responsibilities include issuing arrest and search warrants, conducting preliminary proceedings in all federal criminal cases, conducting settlement conferences to mediate disputes, and serving as a resource to the district judges in a wide variety of civil cases.
A common misperception about Almond’s new role is that it is necessarily a prelude to a district judge nomination. Almond clarified the differences between federal magistrates judges and district judges. “Article III of the U.S. Constitution set up the judiciary, and Article I established government’s legislative branch. The president has constitutional power to appoint district judges with lifetime tenure, while Article I judges—or federal magistrates judges—are appointed to fixed terms and are subject to reappointments.”
Almond, who is a former president of the URI Alumni Association, also shared that his position is not a steppingstone to elected office. “Politics is not my thing, it was my father’s. I don’t have the same fire to be in politics.”
As Almond shows a visitor his robe, courtroom, and conference room, and explains his not-so-typical days, it is clear that he is eager to excel and is satisfied professionally. “This is a great job, and it is a privilege to serve the public,” he said.
Maria V. Caliri ’86, M.B.A. ’92, is communications manager for Citizens Bank.
