Robert McKay

Robert B. McKay (August 11, 1919 – July 13, 1990) was a dean of New York University Law School, a former president of the New York City Bar Association, and the chair of McKay Commission, which investigated the 1971 Attica Prison riot.

Early life and education

McKay was born in Wichita, Kansas in 1919, and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kansas in 1940, and his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School.

From 1975 onwards, McKay worked primarily for the Aspen Institute,

From 1984 to 1986, McKay served as president of the New York City Bar Association. In his work for the Bar, McKay was a strong proponent of requiring mandatory Continuing Legal Education for lawyers and mandatory pro bono work by practicing attorneys.

He was the recipient of numerous awards, including the William Nelson Cromwell Medal of the New York County Lawyers Association in 1973, the Justice Award of the American Judicature Society in 1986, the Gold Medal of the Bar Association of the City of New York in 1987, and the Servant of Justice Award of the Legal Aid Society in March.

Death McKay died of a heart attack in Reno, Nevada on July 13, 1990. He had been scheduled to address the National Judicial College there the following day.