Distinguished Alumni: David Robinson

Distinguished Alumni 

of the 

Appalachian School of Law: 

David J. Robinson

David J. Robinson is the Senior Legal Advisor at the Illinois State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor's Office in Springfield, Illinois.  Effective January 1, 2014, he will become its Deputy Director. Thus, in only seven years following graduation from the Appalachian School of Law in 2007, his career has taken him to this high level of responsibility and leadership in state government.

As a Senior Legal Advisor, David prepares special prosecutions and the defense of criminal appeals.  Thus, his experience on ASL's Moot Court team prepared him for this career path.

As a member of the Director's office, David helps to "promulgate[] and implement[] the rules and regulations governing the administrative and legal functions of the District Offices. The Director's Office is responsible for all Agency administrative and managerial functions, legal policy and other extraordinary legal concerns, budgetary and legislative matters, and Agency publications."

David teaches legal studies at Robert Morris University, where he also serves on the University's Advisory Board. He teaches Real Estate Law, Legal Writing, Domestic Relations, Professional Development, Law Office Technology, and Business Law.  As a Board Member, David assists faculty and the administration in advancing the legal studies program, as well as complying with ABA accreditation standards.

He has authored numerous state-wide and national publications.  Most recently, he published Admissibility of "Dog Sniff" Evidence: The New Foundational Requirements after Florida v. Harris, Illinois Bar Journal (April 2013).

He frequently lectures on search and seizure.  His most recent presentation -- in St. Charles, Illinois (May 20, 2013) -- covered the following topic:  Search, Seizure & the Forensic Examiner: Putting the Fourth Amendment Under Your Microscope.

Family Life

David lives in Springfield, Illinois with his wife, Jennifer, and the couple's two-year-old daughter, Amelia, and dog, Neeley.  They recently moved to a home built in 1938 that is located in the Washington Park neighborhood --  a famous Lincoln-era park located in the downtown area of the state capital.

David is pictured here with Amelia during a vacation to Savannha, Georgia.  She also appears as the curious gardener.

Neeley is pictured below.  And, as a dog lover, I know the important role she plays in family life.

Military Service

Like many of our students and alumni, David first served in the military before coming to law school.  It likely explains his successful effort to establish a veteran-focused student organization -- The Hamilton Society --on the ASL campus.

His service record includes:

• Untied States Army - 19K10 M1A1 Armor Crewman; Combat Arms:  July 1997 to November 1999.
• Awarded Joint Service Commendation Medal by Secretary of Defense William Cohen for "exceptionally meritorious service" in defense of Kuwait: 1998.
• Awarded two Army Achievement Medals by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas G. Pope for "tireless efforts and dedication to mission accomplishment" while assigned to the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Division: 1998 & 1999.
• Awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal by General Anthony Zinni, Commander of United States Central Command, for providing ground deterrence against invasion of Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Fox: 1998.
• Awarded Army Good Conduct Medal by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas G. Pope for conduct in keeping with the highest standards of military discipline and performance: 1999.