A Legacy of Service: Judge Robby Hassell Receives GBA’s Prestigious Distinguished Service Award

At the Annual Meeting of the GBA and 24th Judicial District, the GBA’s Distinguished Service Award was bestowed upon the Hon. A. Robinson (Robby) Hassell.  The Distinguished Service Award is the GBA’s most prestigious award. Established in 1993, the Distinguished Service Award recognizes lawyers for exhibiting a deep devotion to the legal profession and an enduring contribution to the administration of justice and the public good through unselfish service.

Judge Hassell is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned both his undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Economics and his Juris Doctor. He grew up in Greensboro and is married to Eloise McCain Hassell, an attorney, mediator, and award-winning Senior Lecturer at UNCG. They are the proud parents of Molly and Bayly.

Judge Hassell has had an outstanding career as a judge and legal professional in North Carolina. Appointed as a special superior court judge in 2009 by Governor Bev Perdue, Judge Hassell has presided over civil and criminal cases throughout the state ensuring fairness and consistency in the judicial process. Before his appointment to the superior court, he served as a district court judge for over a decade, worked in private practice handling family law, workers compensation, and insurance coverage matters, and was an assistant public defender. With over 30 years of legal experience, Judge Hassell has earned widespread respect for his impartiality, professionalism, and dedication to upholding justice.

Throughout his career, Judge Hassell has been dedicated to serving the public and his profession. As a Regional Judicial Outreach Liaison for the ABA Judicial Division, he assists judges, transportation safety officials, and other stakeholders with public policy initiatives and educational forums. During his time as a Special and Emergency Superior Court judge, he has presided in over fifty counties in regular jury and nonjury sessions of criminal and civil superior court throughout North Carolina. He also served as a member of the N.C. Industrial Commission.

Judge Hassell is a committed member of countless professional organizations, including the American Bar Association, the North Carolina Bar Association, the Guilford Inn of Court, and our very own Greensboro Bar Association where he is currently serving on the Board of Directors. Beyond his work in the courtroom and supporting the legal profession, Judge Hassell has contributed significantly to his community, serving on the boards of organizations such as the United Way and the Adult Center for Enrichment, the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts Task Force, and the Downtown Greenway Oversight Committee.

Judge Hassell exemplifies the highest standards of integrity, an unwavering commitment to justice, and a profound dedication to both the legal profession and his community. His lifelong contributions and steadfast leadership embody the core values and spirit of the GBA’s Distinguished Service Award, making him a most deserving recipient of this esteemed honor.