County Names Law Library After First African American Attorney In Manatee: Clerk’s Office

BRADENTON, FL — Manatee County honored the first African American attorney in the county by renaming the Manatee County Law Library after him, the clerk of the circuit court said in a news release.

The library, located on the first floor of the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton, is now known as the Layon F. Robinson, II Law Library. The name change was approved by the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners.

Robinson passed the Florida Bar Examination in 1973, making him the first African American member of the Manatee County Bar Association.

Throughout his life, he was “known as being a generous and devoted public servant,” the clerk’s office said.

He represented various Manatee County citizen groups and served on the Manatee County Economic Development Council. Robinson also helped to develop the first grant for the Manatee County Rural Health Services, served as president of Manatee County Children’s Services and formed the local chapter of the Police Academy League (PAL).

Friends, family, colleagues and local leaders recognized the late lawyer, who died of cancer in 2020, during a renaming and dedication ceremony Nov. 29.

“Mr. Robinson was a dear friend to me ever since I was a young deputy clerk working the counter at the courthouse,” Angel Colonneso, Manatee County clerk of the circuit court and comptroller, said. “When I became a young attorney, he attended my swearing-in ceremony. He never let an interaction pass without saying how proud he was of me.”

The Manatee County Bar Association released a statement in support of the naming of the law library after Robinson.

Manatee County Bar Association President Stephen R. Dye, Esq., said that Robinson exemplified the virtues bar members strive for.

“Attorney Robinson was a long-time member in good standing of the Manatee County Bar Association. He was both well-liked and highly regarded by all who knew him and practiced law with him,” he added.