Laurie N. Robinson Haden, J.D.
Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel,
CBS Corporation
New York City
When Laurie Robinson Haden was a child, her father, who was a labor lawyer, would let her carry his briefcase filled with legal documents and type his legal briefs to earn extra money. These early moments between Robinson Haden and her father inspired her to pursue a career in law. That career spans 17 years in sectors that include sports, labor management and entertainment. ?I enjoy taking complex legal problems and strategizing to formulate solutions,? Robinson Haden says.
Robinson Haden?s current role is senior vice president and assistant general counsel at CBS Corp., where she reports directly to the chief legal officer and oversees the corporate interface with the legal divisions of all CBS business units. These units include Showtime, CBS Films, CBS Corporation, CBS Radio, CBS Interactive, Simon and Schuster, CBS Outdoor, and CBS Entertainment. Robinson Haden has also held positions at the New York law firms of Seyfarth Shaw LLP and Becker and Green P.C. She received a bachelor?s degree in political science/public administration from North Carolina Central University, a Juris Doctorate from Indiana University School of Law Bloomington, and a Certificate in Entertainment Media Management from New York University School of Continuing Studies.
Firmly rooted in her own career, Robinson Haden has dedicated herself to the advancement of the careers of other women by establishing the Corporate Counsel Women of Color in 2004 to provide mentorship and career strategies for minority attorneys. From 30 members, the organization has grown to a membership of more than 3,000 in the United States and abroad. ?I started the organization to foster diversity in the legal profession,? says Robinson Haden. ?We will continue to provide strategies for navigating the law firm and corporate culture and bridging the pay gap.? She recently joined the board of directors of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.???
