Inspirational Gift

Courageous. Mentor. Far-Sighted. Spider. These are just some of the words used to describe the Honorable Robert R. Merhige Jr., L’42. Perhaps best known for his January 1972 desegregation decision requiring the merger of Richmond City Schools with the surrounding Henrico and Chesterfield county districts, Judge Merhige has a deep legacy at Richmond Law. In addition to teaching trial practice at the law school for many years, the newly renovated moot courtroom bears his name, as does the Merhige Center for Environmental Studies. Building on this legacy, this past year, an anonymous donor made a six-figure lead gift with the goal of raising enough money to name a faculty position in honor of Judge Merhige.

“At a time of deep political divisiveness and a continued push for equal opportunity, Judge Merhige’s rulings from more than 50 years ago remain relevant today,” said Dean Wendy Perdue.

In addition to 40 desegregation cases, during his 31 years on the federal bench, he also ordered the admission of women to the University of Virginia in 1970 (50 years after Richmond Law admitted is first female students!); presided over cases of Klansmen and Nazis accused of killing political opponents; fined Allied Chemical for polluting the James River with an insecticide; and tossed out the appeals of G. Gordon Liddy and other Watergate defendants.

Of his bold decisions that were not always popular, Judge Merhige reflected to the Richmond-Times Dispatch, “I thought people would say, ‘We don’t like the little S.O.B., but he’s followin’ the law...That didn’t happen.” Despite this opposition, he pushed forward and held steadfast to the rule of law.

“Judge Merhige is a pivotal figure in Virginia’s march toward greater equality,” Perdue said. “He helped to train countless Richmond Law students. We should have a faculty position named in his honor, and I am delighted that this gift lays the foundation to accomplish that.”

The donor has expressed the hope that others who knew Judge Merhige, benefited from his mentorship, or simply admire his deep commitment to justice will join in contributing to this effort.

(Reprinted from the 2024 Dean’s Report.)