Bio

After graduating from high school in 1970, Robin moved to Washington, D.C., and worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a stenographer and the U. S. Department of Justice as a legal secretary.  Robin continued working as a paralegal for over 25 years, later enrolling simultaneously at Thomas Nelson Community College (TNCC) and Christopher Newport University while raising her children and working full-time.  She graduated from TNCC, magna cum laude, in 1997, with an Associates of Arts Degree.  She graduated from Christopher Newport University, magna cum laude, in 1998, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Governmental Administration.  She is a graduate of the Marshall Wythe School of Law, College of William and Mary, and is admitted to the Virginia State Bar.  

Robin has a special needs son who in 1980 was diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy.  That year, Robin began fighting the biggest fight of her life … being an advocate on behalf of her son, Nicholas.  When doctors told Robin that Nicholas would never walk and was incapable of learning, she refused to passively accept this conclusion.  She fought for and received physical, occupational, and speech therapy and other services through the public schools for her son.  Her tenacity paid off when Nicholas was five years old and he took his first steps.  Robin’s two other sons, Tony and Michael, both live in Newport News and work as carpenters.  Her daughter-in-law, Karri,  recently received her doctoral degree in pharmacology school at Hampton University.  Her step-son, Bradford, is a mathematician, lives in Virginia and works for a Defense agency.  

Robin is an active member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA) and is recognized nationally for her defense of Virginians against predatory mortgage lenders and foreclosure abuses.  She has served as a speaker/panelist at State and National Seminars and consumer law courses.  A large part of Robin’s law practice has been the representation of enlisted service members in Hampton Roads and she has also taught Navy and Army JAG consumer law programs. 

Robin has a passion for community service and served as a Member of the Legal Poll Monitor Team for the 2008 Presidential Election on behalf of the Obama Campaign, served as an Officer and Youth Coordinator for the Peninsula Chapter of Operation Smile, served as Chairman of the Fat Tire Duathlon and Co-Chairman of the Strawberry Jam Festival, collectively raising over $1M benefiting Operation Smile.   Robin served on the Board of Thomas Nelson Community College from 2007 to 2009 and served on the Board of The Hampton Newport News Community Services Board from 2007 to November 2009.  Robin is an active member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Newport News, Virginia, where she serves as a Eucharist Minister and assists in many other ministries benefiting her community.  Most recently Robin was awarded the Dana B. Hamel Award by Thomas Nelson Community College for her support of higher education.