PCBF presents First Annual Justice Donald L. Corbin Symposium
March 19-25, 2018
By Becca Bona
From his practice in criminal and civil law to his service in the Arkansas Legislature, Justice Donald L. Corbin made a name for himself across the Natural State throughout his lifetime.
Born on March 29, 1938 in Hot Springs, Ark., Corbin moved to California when he was young, as his father was in the Navy during World War II.
Afterward, the family returned to Texarkana, Ark., where Corbin attended High School. He joined the Marines while attending the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and after a period of service, was able to finish his degree in 1963.
At that point he knew he wanted to be a trial lawyer and attended law school. He practiced for a short time in De Queen, Ark., but ended up in Lewisville, Ark., where he continued to practice. He began his foray into public service when he ran for City Attorney in Lewisville and won. After that, he continued to run, winning six races in municipal or legislative offices and five for appellate judgeships.
Corbin was elected into the Arkansas House of Representatives in 1970, during which he served as a voice for those in rural areas. After ten years, he did not seek reelection but instead set his sights on the new Arkansas Court of Appeals. He served ten years on the court, the last four of those as chief judge. In 1990, Corbin was elected to replace John I. Purtle in the Arkansas Supreme Court.
He served three eight-year terms during which groundbreaking decisions were made. Corbin wasn’t afraid to stand his ground and to push his colleagues to take unpopular stands – especially when it came to social issues.
In his memory, his wife and daughter, Dorcy Kyle Corbin and Jennifer Corbin, have worked with the Honorable Judge Herbert T. Wright Jr. to execute the First Annual 2018 Justice Donald L. Corbin Appellate Symposium. The event is approved for 12 CLE hours, including 3.0 Ethics hours.
“Judge Herb Wright asked that Jennifer and me come to his office,” said Dorcy Corbin, the late Justice’s wife. “Jennifer is one of our five children, but the only one who is an attorney. Judge Wright said that during Donny’s funeral, as Justice Paul Danielson was delivering the eulogy and talking about Donny’s service on the bench, Judge Wright decided that there needed to be a symposium in his memory.”
The stories shared that day, particularly the one about the fox, contributed to Wright’s desire to put together a symposium and to fund scholarships at both Arkansas law schools in Corbin’s memory.
Featured speakers include: Judge Morris Sheppard Arnold, Chief Judge Lavenski R. Smith, and Christina Swarns, among others. Sign up and get more information regarding programming at: https://www.pulaskibar.com/events/.
Source: Arkansas Encyclopedia of History & Culture, Pulaski County Bar Association