Farmington Resident Robert Simpson Honored by the George W. Crawford Black Bar Association

Farmington resident Robert Simpson was recently honored with the George W. Crawford Black Bar Association’s highest award. Atty. Simpson received the Trailblazer Award at the association’s 40th Anniversary Celebration. The award recognizes individuals who promote personal growth, leadership development and community service in the legal profession. Also honored at the dinner was Attorney John Rose who received the organization’s Visionary Award.

The Annual Dinner of the George W. Crawford Black Bar Association serves as a platform for the recognition of individuals who have made significant contributions within their fields. In the past, Crawford has recognized individuals such as the Honorable Justice Lubbie Harper Jr; Dr. Lenworth Jacob; James T. Breedlove; Bill Strickland; Dr. Constance Belton Green; Lewis J. Robinson; Reginald R. Paige, Sr. and Senator Sanford Cloud, Jr. with its Trailblazer and Visionary Awards.,

“I can't think of a person more deserving of this distinguished organization's recognition than Robert, said Atty. Tracy Poole, Assistant General Counsel for Johnson & Johnson. “He is truly a ‘trailblazer’ who has left an indelible mark for others in the profession as well as the community in so many ways. His tireless work with the Crawford Black Bar; NBA; ABA and numerous other organizations has led to real positive change and results. It was a beautiful affair and seeing Robert receive his award was truly inspiring.”

Robert Simpson is a trial attorney and partner with the Hartford Office of Shipman & Goodwin LLP. He heads Shipman & Goodwin’s Product Liability and Toxic Tort Practice Team. He represents clients in federal and state litigation throughout the United States.

He has been honored for his service to both the legal profession and the community. Among those awards are: Lawyers of Color - High Achievers; Connecticut Law Tribune; Community Service Award; Urban League of Greater Hartford; 40 Under Forty, Hartford Business Journal; James W. Cooper Fellow, Connecticut Bar Foundation; New Leaders of the Law, Connecticut Law Tribune;

Judge Maxwell Heiman Memorial Award, Hartford County Bar Association and

Oliver Ellsworth Inns of Court.

Simpson serves on the Executive Committee for the National Bar Association, Commercial Law Section and was the Chair of the Section, leading its 27th Annual Corporate Counsel Conference in Austin, Texas. Simpson is a Division Director of the ABA Section of Litigation.

Locally, Simpson is a long standing member of the George W. Crawford Black Bar Association and the Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association. He serves on the Board of the Hartford County Bar Foundation. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Riverfront Recapture, Inc. and is active in leadership for the Golden Eagles Pathfinder Scout Group. He is also Stewardship Director for the Faith SDA Church in Hartford.

Simpson received his J.D. and MBA from Case Western Reserve and has an undergraduate degree from Boston University. He lives in Farmington with his wife Camille Simpson and has three daughters.

About the George W. Crawford Black Bar Association

The George W. Crawford Black Bar Association is a volunteer state-wide organization that has represented Black attorneys in Connecticut since 1977. Its members include attorneys, judges, and law students. Crawford is an active, state-wide affiliate of the National Bar Association, the oldest and largest national organization for attorneys of color. With 84 affiliates, the NBA represents a professional network of more than 20,000 lawyers, judges, educators and law students.

Crawford’s purpose is to work aggressively for the enhancement of the role of Black people in the legal profession, and to increase their numbers in the state; focus attention on legal issues which affect members of the Black community and to address those issues as a unified body; provide a vehicle for interaction between members of the Association and Black businesses, professional and other organizations in the State; establish lines of communication and to affiliate with local and national organizations within the legal profession and undertake programs, activities and projects in the promotion of the goals of the Association. For more information go to: www.georgecrawfordblackbar.org.