Robert Shepherd
Robert Shepherd | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robert E. Shepherd Jr. September 22, 1937 |
| Died | December 11, 2008 (aged 71) Richmond, Virginia, US |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Professor of law |
| Known for | Family law, Juvenile advocacy |
| Spouse | Nancy Baker Shepherd |
| Children | 5 |
| Awards |
|
Robert E. Shepherd Jr. (September 11, 1937 – December 11, 2008) was professor of law at the University of Richmond School of Law from 1978 until his retirement in 2001. After retirement, he served as professor emeritus and continued teaching until his death.
A paper he wrote for the Washington and Lee Law Review became a draft of Virginia's first statute on child abuse and set Shepherd on track for his career.[1] He was the recipient of the ABA Livingston Hall Juvenile Justice Award in 2005 and the 2003 Virginia State Bar Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Award.[2][3] A founder and board member of Richmond law school's National Center for Family Law, Shepherd was a sought after expert in courts, before legislative committees and in legal forums around the nation on issues related to children's rights.[4] Over his 40-year career, he headed the American Bar Association's Juvenile Justice Committee and the Virginia Bar Association's Committee on the Needs of Children. He served as reporter on family law and contracts for the Virginia Court of Appeals.[1]
Early life
[edit]Robert E. Shepherd Jr. was born on September 11, 1937, in Richmond, Virginia, and was the son of Robert Edward Shepherd and his previous wife, Julia Shepherd. His siblings were his sister Susan and his brother Walter.[5] He had five children, a son Robert Shepherd III, two daughters, Sharon and Stephanie, and two stepdaughters Kara and Courtney.[6]
Education
[edit]Shepherd received his undergraduate degree at Washington & Lee University, in 1959. In 1961 he graduated from the Washington and Lee School of Law.[6]
Career
[edit]Shepherd served in the United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps, then went into private practice in Richmond.[4] He joined the Virginia Attorney General's office in 1971, becoming its first assistant attorney general dedicated to youth services. In 1975, he turned to teaching full-time at the University of Baltimore before returning to Richmond.[7]
At Richmond Shepherd taught classes on "Children and the Law," "Family Law," and "Contracts," amongst other topics. He was a visiting professor during the fall of 2008 at the Washington and Lee School of Law. In a 2001 interview with the law school's magazine, he said, "There was a real sense that laws for children were civil rights laws. It was a very exciting time."[citation needed]
Shepherd was a vocal supporter of the Baltimore Orioles and a proud political liberal. He sported the bumper sticker "Jefferson Was a Democrat" on the car he drove to the University of Richmond campus (which is located in a well-heeled western area of the City of Richmond).[citation needed]
Shepherd authored papers for scholarly journals that include Family Law Quarterly,[8] the ABA's Criminal Justice Magazine,[9][10] the Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, and the Journal of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.[11] Virginia Governor Tim Kaine appointed Shepherd to the Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice on January 19, 2007.[12]
Death
[edit]Shepherd died of cancer at the age of 71 at his Richmond home on December 11, 2008.[12] Memorial services were held at the River Road Church, Baptist in Henrico County where he taught Sunday school for 36 years, and was later followed by a private interment.[6]
Honors and awards
[edit]In 1999, Shepherd was the first person inducted into the Virginia Juvenile Court Hall of Fame.[6] The Virginia Bar Association honors Shepherd at its Summer Meeting at The Homestead, with the Robert E. Shepherd Jr. Award for excellence in advocacy for children.[13]
Shepherd has received the Child Advocacy Award from the National Association of Counsel for Children.[6]
Additional awards include:[citation needed]
- 1981 - University of Richmond School of Law Educator Award
- 1986 - University of Richmond School of Law Educator Award
- 2003 - Virginia State Bar Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Award
- 2005 - ABA Livingston Hall Juvenile Justice Award
The University of Richmond School of Law has posthumously honored Shepherd with the William Green Award for Professional Excellence. He was the first full-time faculty member to receive the university's highest award.[14] To further Shepherd's work, the National Center for Family Law at Richmond has also raised money to endow the Robert E. Shepherd Fellowship Fund.[15]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Felton, Walter S. Jr. (11 January 2009). "In Memoriam: Professor Robert E. Shepherd, Jr". University of Richmond Law Review. 44: 3–7.
- ^ "Livingston Hall Juvenile Justice Award". www.americanbar.org. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
- ^ "Virginia State Bar | Criminal Law". www.vsb.org. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
- ^ a b "House Joint Resolution No. 691. Celebrating the life of Robert Edward Shepherd, Jr". lis.virginia.gov. 16 January 2009. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ "Robert Edward Shepherd Jr. Obituary on Legacy.com". Legacy. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
- ^ a b c d e Robertson, Ellen (14 December 2008). "'Legal giant' R. Shepherd Jr. dies at 71". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
- ^ "Children a new frontier in fight for human rights". Statesman Journal (Oregon). 1 November 1976. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ Shepherd, Robert E. Jr. (2000-08-02). "The 'Child' Grows Up: The Juvenile Justice System Enters its Second Century". Rochester, NY. SSRN 228252.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "Rebirth of the Infancy Defense | Office of Justice Programs". www.ojp.gov. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
- ^ Shepherd, Robert E. Jr. (2005). "THE RELEVANCE OF BRAIN RESEARCH TO JUVENILE DEFENSE" (PDF). Criminal Justice.
- ^ "The Juvenile Court at 100 Years: A Look Back" (PDF). Juvenile Justice. 6. December 1999.
- ^ a b "Dedication. Robert E.Shepherd" (PDF). Virginia Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice. 2008.
- ^ "Legal Aid Justice Center Advocates Win National and State Awards" (PDF). justice4all.org. Retrieved 2021-10-30.
- ^ "Posthumous Award for Alumnus Bob Shepherd". Washington and Lee University News. 2009-03-26. Retrieved 2021-10-30.
- ^ "Green Award honors Professor Shepherd". University of Richmond. Summer 2009. p. 6.