Donald Robbins

Donald A. Robbins, a member of the Firm's Government Relations department, specializes in health care, human services and mental hygiene. Prior to joining Hinman Straub, Mr. Robbins served as Principal Legislative Coordinator for Health and Human Services on the New York State Assembly Program and Counsel Staff. In his 22 years in the state Assembly, Mr. Robbins oversaw a range of policy and administrative functions. He coordinated and supervised staff support for six Assembly standing committees, including Aging; Alcohol and Drug Abuse; Children and Families; Health; Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities; and Social Services. He also served as Health and Human Services policy advisor to the Assembly Speaker. During his tenure in the Assembly Mr. Robbins was also responsible for negotiating key legislation such as: creation of the Empire State Stem Cell Board; Assisted Outpatient Treatment for persons with mental illness; Jonathan's Law; the Adoption and Safe Families Act; and establishment of the Office of Medicaid Inspector General. Mr. Robbins has also held positions with the State Department of Social Services, the State Division of Substance Abuse Services and in the private sector as Director of Operations with a Medicaid Managed Care Health Plan.. Mr. Robbins currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, the State Department of Health Data Protection and Review Board and, the Board of Trustees of the Slingerlands Community United Methodist Church. He has served on boards of directors of the Albany United Methodist Society, Helderberg House and the Bethlehem Basketball Club. He also was a volunteer football coach with Bethlehem Central School District, Bethlehem Pop Warner and Albany Inner-City Pop Warner.