VETERAN SPOTLIGHT
Robert Devlin
Over the course of his career, Robert primarily practiced in civil litigation, now maintaining a mediation practice in his semi-retirement. Over the years, he has maintained steadfast support of military veterans by being a dedicated volunteer at U.S. Army veteran with a spirit of volunteerism and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, providing legal a legal career spanning almost sixty years, Robert counsel to veterans and their families in support of the VetDevlin represents the highest principles and tradierans Legal Initiative, which was founded by the Houston Bar tions of the legal profession and service to the public Association, the Houston Bar Foundation, and Houston Volin the community. unteer Lawyers. “Veterans often do not know how, or are too Before becoming a licensed attorney in 1965, Robert majored proud, to ask for or seek help, legal or otherwise,” shared Robin radio and television at the University of Wisconsin, where ert. “The public needs to realize that this pride doesn’t mean being a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) that a veteran doesn’t have problems, but instead that he or she was required during his doesn’t know how or where to seek help. HBA’s veteran clinics first two years of college. have been the answer to this problem. Please volunteer at these He decided to join the Army clinics to help our vets.” Robert has demonstrated a years-long ROTC (“My eyesight wasn’t commitment to these clingood enough for the Air ics (often volunteering every Force ROTC and the Naval week), which has resulted in ROTC wasn’t an available him being recognized with option.”); but after serving the Frank Scurlock Award his mandatory two years, he by the State Bar of Texas, and elected to stay in the Army Robert Devlin enrolled as Outstanding Volunteer by ROTC for the remainder of in the University of Houston Law Center ExxonMobil in 2016. college, becoming a second while still serving in Robert’s storied careers— lieutenant upon his gradua- the Army Reserves, graduating in 1965. both military and legal—retion in 1960. flect the achievements of a After graduating, Robert served two years man who has dedicated his active duty in the U.S. Army, the majority of personal and professional which was spent at Fort Hood, Texas, with life to serving others: “My three months of service spent in Hollywood, military experience was the Florida, where his unit was deployed during the cornerstone of my growth as Cuban Missile Crisis. an attorney and the developAs a young serviceman, Robert “earned his ment of the many skills necwings” (became airborne-qualified) in 1961, essary to practice law for over qualifying him to jump out of aircraft and parfifty years,” Robert said. “The ticipate in other airborne operations. In 1962, drive, teamwork, the commitRobert was awarded the Expert Infantry Badge ment to help, serve, all came and Outstanding Armored Calvary Platoon from my military experience. Leader, 6th Infantry, 1st Armored Division in Robert Devlin “earned his wings” in 1961, qualifying him They contributed to my belief Fort Hood, Texas. Robert subsequently served to jump out of aircraft and participate in other airborne that the practice of law was for almost four years in the Army Reserves, as- operations. all. This led to my continued involvement with veterans.” signed to the 75th Maneuver Area Command here in Houston, eventually retiring from the U.S. Army with the rank of capAnietie Akpan is the editor-in-chief of The Houston Lawyer. She tain. While still serving in the Army Reserves, Robert enrolled is staff counsel for the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris in the University of Houston Law Center, graduating in 1965. County, Texas (METRO).
“Being a veteran has provided me with many of the skills necessary to be an attorney, but more importantly, to be a better person.” -Robert Devlin
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March/April 2022
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