D.C. Bar Communities Director Pamela Robinson Receives NABE Excellence Award
August 07, 2023
On August 3, Pamela Robinson, director of D.C. Bar Communities, was recognized by the National Association of Bar Executives (NABE) with its 2023 President’s Award of Excellence for her dedicated and distinguished service to the organization. Robinson and her co-recipient, the American Bar Association’s Division for Bar Services (DBS), received the award at NABE’s annual luncheon in Denver, Colorado.
In selecting Robinson for the award, NABE immediate past president Kevin Ryan recognized Robinson’s service with DBS, where she served in several capacities, most recently as director. However, Stacy King, NABE president, was quick to note, “Pam’s exemplary service goes well beyond a year.”
Robinson and DBS (recently renamed Center for Bar Leadership) supported the ABA’s strategic goals involving outreach and provision of services to more than 350 general purpose bar associations around the country. Robinson also managed the division’s flagship program — the annual Bar Leadership Institute — and was responsible for outreach efforts to state and local bar officers and to the larger bar staff community, regardless of their membership with NABE.
“There’s no question that Pamela Robinson has been dedicated to our success,” Ryan said. “She was always there when we needed something, and the work that she did at the Division of Bar Services made so much possible. In my experience with NABE, which goes back more than 20 years, I worked more with Pam than anyone else at DBS. She was always thoughtful, looking after the best interests of the organization … She is someone I have the highest respect for.”
Robinson served as deputy director of DBS from 2014 to 2017, and previously as associate director starting in 1995. In addition, Robinson managed board operations for NABE, a voluntary membership organization committed to supporting the professional staff of bar associations and law-related organizations, and for the National Conference of Bar Presidents.
“Kevin Ryan is generous in acknowledging my contributions to NABE over the years,” Robinson said. “I am especially honored to be a co-recipient of the NABE President’s Award with my former team, the ABA Division for Bar Services. Working with the NABE board as well as with the sections, committees, and rank and file members of the organization is an experience that informs my current work with volunteers at the D.C. Bar. It is also the source of many lifelong friends, and that is an award in itself.”
