Robin Newman ’96
Justice in Action: Q&A with CUNY Law Alums
Robin Newman ’96 is proof that there are many paths you can take after law school. For her, it meant going from workers’ compensation attorney to acclaimed children’s book author. After discovering her passion for writing while working as a legal editor, Newman has authored multiple children’s books, including her latest release “Trial and Error,” the first book in the Sawyer The Critter Lawyer Series. Her work combines her legal background with storytelling to introduce young readers to concepts of justice, fairness, and logical reasoning. In this Q&A, she reflects on her unconventional career journey and how her legal education continues to inform her writing career.
Q&A
Q. What was your first job after graduating law school? What did it teach you?
“After I passed the bar exam, I was hired as an associate at Fine, Olin & Anderman, handling Workers’ Compensation cases on the claimant side. It taught me that I really preferred research and writing to working on administrative proceedings.”
Q. How did CUNY Law prepare you for practicing law?
“Working with clients at the Immigration Clinic was very good preparation for practicing law. My Wills, Trusts and Estates professor also had us drafting wills and other documents. I recall he took off points if we misspelled the name of our client.”
Q. What was your favorite class? How did it prepare you to practice law?
“I LOVED Mary Lu Bilek’s Civil Procedure class. She used to do “Civil Procedure Jeopardy.” I still remember “I’ll take Rule 11 for $100.” She made what could have been a very dry class amazingly fun. Civil Procedure is so important to the practice of law. If you miss-file or miss a deadline, you could cause substantial harm to your client. p.s. I also loved Beryl Blaustone’s evidence class.”
Q. What is something you learned at CUNY Law that has stuck with you?
“Never forget your ethical obligations.”
Q. If CUNY Law had a mascot, what should it be?
“Lady Justice, of course!”
Q. What’s one piece of advice you have for current CUNY Law students?
“There are many things one can do with a law degree. I was extremely unhappy as a Workers’ Compensation attorney. I was much happier when I switched over to legal editing for Matthew Bender/LexisNexis and subsequently for Wolters Kluwer. Research and writing were always my strengths. So… if the first job you take is not right for you, it is totally fine to switch gears and find something that is better suited to your interests, skills, and strengths.”
Get Robin’s Book
Robin’s latest book, Trial and Error, illustrated by Deborah Zemke and published by Creston Books, releases on October 7th. The book introduces young readers to legal concepts through the adventures of Sawyer the ant, who seeks justice in the animal world.
Trial and Error is currently available for pre-order at Books of Wonder.
Follow Robin on social media:
• Facebook: RobinNewmanBooks
• Instagram: @robinnewmanbooks
• Bluesky: @robinnewmanbooks.bsky.social