George C. Hastings Community Service Award

The George C. Hastings Community Service Award bears the name of the firm’s former partner, George Hastings, who practiced here from 1957 until his retirement in 1995, and was a prolific community leader for more than 60 years. In 2016, Robinson+Cole announced the establishment and inaugural presentation of the award. George left an indelible mark on Robinson+Cole in his determination to seek justice and the greatest good. The award is presented to a community service organization that has made an outstanding contribution to serving Greater Hartford. Past award recipients include:

At the inaugural ceremony, Steve Goldman, the firm’s Managing Partner, underscored R+C’s enduring commitment to community service as a core value, saying, “We thought the creation of this annual award would be an appropriate way to recognize and thank George for his incredible contribution. He set an important example for so many of us at Robinson+Cole, and was a mentor to innumerable lawyers who have made community involvement a priority.” 

HISTORY OF GEORGE C. HASTINGS

George had a prolific career as a dynamic lawyer and inspiring community leader. He was a graduate of Loomis School, Yale University - where he captained the wrestling team - and Yale Law School, serving on the Yale Law Journal. Following law school, he clerked for U.S. District Court Judge John P. Anderson in New Haven. Though primarily a litigator, George was a versatile lawyer. His legal acumen was well known and could be daunting. He possessed a prodigious memory - often quoting verses of poetry, in addition to a mischievous affection for limericks - and had a fierce, at times intimidating, intellect. George also was a mentor to numerous associates, whose skills were honed by his rigor and dedicated counsel. His strong and compassionate character was embodied in a life-long commitment to serving the underprivileged and those in need and an unwavering pursuit of justice. Courage, zeal, and fearless are words often used to describe him. 

George’s commitment to improving the lives of children, adults and families in our community was resolute. When he saw a wrong, he tried to right it. He was a man of commitment and action, and his community contributions were many. An abbreviated list of his service includes: a founder and long-time board member of The Bridge Family Center, served as the first President of the Board of the Greater Hartford Legal Aid Foundation, Chair of the Connecticut Board of Pardons, Vice Chair of the West Hartford Board of Education, Director of the ACLU Connecticut chapter, board member of the Wethersfield Zoning Board of Appeals, director and president of the Center for First Amendment Rights, a trustee of Loomis Chaffee School (where he once taught), and an adjunct professor of procedure and equity at the UConn School of Law.  

George set a high bar for us to do our best for our clients, our colleagues, and our communities. Each day, we strive to meet his challenge of excellence. 

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