Robin Shahar

Robin Shahar (born April 7, 1963) is an American attorney. In 1991, Shahar was involved in Shahar v. Bowers, a landmark case for LGBT rights in the United States, when she sued Mike Bowers, the attorney general of Georgia, for rescinding a job offer after he discovered she planned to have a same-sex wedding ceremony. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ultimately upheld Bowers' decision to rescind Shahar's job offer. Shahar has since worked as a human rights attorney and been involved in Atlanta politics.

Early life

Shahar was born on April 7, 1963, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Edward Brown and Belle "Bunny" van Adelsberg (formerly Brown). She has a brother, Scott, as well as a half-sister, Stephanie, and several step-siblings. She was raised in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania. Shahar graduated from Tufts University and received her Juris Doctor degree in 1991 from Emory University.

The district court entered a summary judgement in favor of Bowers, and Shahar appealed to the Eleventh Circuit Court. Bowers argued that Shahar's lesbian relationship and upcoming wedding was evidence that she lacked "good sense", Although a three-judge panel initially reversed the district court ruling, on appeal the full Eleventh Circuit Court ultimately ruled in favor of Bowers, ruling that Bowers' interests as an employer outweighed Shahar's constitutional interests.

Later career

After losing the Bowers decision, Shahar worked as an attorney for the city of Atlanta, during which time she wrote and defended the city's domestic partnership ordinance. As of 2023, Shahar works as a human rights attorney. Shahar and Greenfield separated in 2009. In 2016, Shahar remarried to Pam Joy. As of 2023, Shahar still resides in Atlanta.

Shahar is Jewish and describes her Jewish faith as "very important" to her. She is active in Congregation Bet Haverim, Atlanta's first gay and lesbian synagogue, where she served as the organization vice president and was involved with an AIDS support group.