[2] Prior to serving in Nebraska, Robbins was admitted to the bar in Indiana and Mississippi.

[3] In 1887 Robbins became the second African American to run for Nebraska State Legislature, winning the endorsement of Gilbert Hitchcock's Omaha World-Herald.

[4] When the Populist Party took power in Omaha, Robbins served as the tax commissioner from 1900 to 1901 and again from 1903 to 1905.

Afterward he focused primarily on real estate law, and maintained a reputation as one of Omaha's "best known colored attorneys.

"[5][6] Robbins committed suicide on September 11, 1916, by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the temple,[7] apparently motivated by a long-time illness.