Michael Robinson was managing partner of Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks from 1980 to 1988, senior partner of Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks from 1996 to 2001 and co-chairman of Allens Arthur Robinson from 2001 to 2002.
He remained a consultant to the firm for many years after retiring from the partnership in 2003.
His personal warmth and dedication to staff wellbeing is widely recognised as the key to the successful integration at Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks and then Allens Arthur Robinson. He had a strong sense of civic duty and believed that with success and opportunity comes responsibility. He gave his time to the business community and a variety of philanthropic endeavours, including more than 30 years of involvement with the Epworth Hospital and Epworth Medical Foundation.
Like many leaders before him, Robinson would say, 'It is amazing what you can accomplish if you don't care who gets the credit'.
He had an inclusive leadership style and would listen intently to the thoughts of others before expressing his opinion.
In 2001 Robinson was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of his extraordinary life of public service. He served on the boards of many organisations, including as chairman of Tabcorp, a director of the Seven Network, Gandel Management, Clough Group, Folkestone Limited, Aconex Limited, Orchestra Victoria, the Bionics Institute and the Asia Society AustralAsia Centre, the Scotch College Council and the General Sir John Monash Foundation. He was also chairman of the Melbourne University Law School Foundation, president of the Epworth Hospital board and a council member of the Law Institute of Victoria.