Justice Ronald Robie, ‘67, serves as an associate justice on the Third District of the California Courts of Appeal, with a distinguished career spanning roles at the Sacramento County Municipal Court and the Sacramento County Superior Court. He has demonstrated leadership in environmental law, judicial education, and mentoring at the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law.
Beginning his judicial career at the Sacramento County Municipal Court in 1983, Justice Robie’s tenure expanded to include roles on the Sacramento County Superior Court, where he presided over civil and criminal trials, civil law and motion, and family law cases. He later served as the presiding judge of the Sacramento Superior Court and as an appellate judge before his appointment to the Third District Court of Appeal in 2002.
Prior to his judicial appointments, Justice Robie held key roles in environmental and water law organizations, assuming positions as vice chair of the State Water Resources Control Board from 1969 to 1975 and as director of the California Department of Water Resources from 1975 to 1983.
Justice Robie’s commitment to judicial education and ethics is evident through his extensive involvement with the California Center for Judicial Education and Research (CJER), where he chaired and vice-chaired the organization. He has taught judicial ethics at various institutions including the B. N. Witkin Judicial College of California and has been actively involved with the California Judges Association (CJA), serving on its executive board and judicial ethics committee.
In addition to his judicial roles, Justice Robie maintains a strong connection with McGeorge School of Law, his alma mater. He has served as an adjunct professor for several decades, imparting knowledge in water law and environmental law. Additionally, he plays a pivotal role as a mentor in the Alumni Mentor Program for first-year law students, and he has hired over 100 law clerks from McGeorge School of Law.
His commitment is further evidenced by his administration of swearing-in ceremonies for McGeorge alumni who successfully pass the California Bar Exam, and his conduct of the oath of professionalism for incoming law students.
Justice Robie’s dedication to education and service has garnered him prestigious accolades, including the Ronald M. George Award for Judicial Excellence, the National Center for State Courts Distinguished Service Award, and the Justice Bernard Jefferson Award for Excellence in Judicial Education from the California Judges Association.
Throughout his distinguished career, Justice Robie’s contributions to the judicial branch, environmental law, and legal education have been honored with additional awards, such as the Sacramento County Office of Education 2019 Civic Learning Champion Award and the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award from the California Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Section.
Throughout 2024, the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law will celebrate members of its vast alumni network in honor of the school’s 100-year anniversary. This post is part of a series highlighting 100 exceptional McGeorge School of Law alumni.
Stay tuned for more blog posts as we celebrate the law school’s centennial anniversary.
