BEDFORD – Each year since 1987, Hoosier Uplands has presented a community service award to an individual that has made a difference in their local community. The 2022 recipient of the award
is former Lawrence County Superior Court I Judge Michael Robbins.
While most people know Robbins for his time spent on the bench, that is not at all what he intended to do upon graduating from Oolitic High School. After high school, Robbins attended Indiana University and graduated with a degree in education. Following graduation, he took a teaching job at Springville. He taught for one year and was offered a job with the State of Indiana as a vocational rehabilitation counselor over a six-county area.
“I was running around six counties promising disabled people we were going to do something for them, but then we never did, so I left,” stated Robbins.
Then it was on to law school. After practicing law for a couple of years in Lawrence County,
Robbins entered the political arena and was elected Lawrence County prosecutor in 1974. Four years later Robbins returned to private practice and then joined his brother Patrick in the family-owned business, Conva-Care.
In early 1999 the brothers sold Conva-Care and less than two years later, Robbins was appointed to replace Judge Ray Kern after he resigned. Robbins spent the next 12 years serving as a judge for Lawrence County Superior Court I. It was during his tenure on the bench that the first-ever Domestic Violence Problem Solving Court in the State of Indiana was created in Lawrence County. The Lawrence County Domestic Violence Coalition was also created at this time.
Robbins has served on numerous boards and committees and he worked with other local leaders to help create Becky’s Place, the Men’s Warming Shelter, and most recently Jenny’s House a place where women can transition into recovery.
In making the presentation, Hoosier Uplands CEO David Miller stated, “Michael is an outstanding community leader and we are pleased to present him with this award. He continues to serve his community and lead by example. We need more people like Michael Robbins.”
