JUSTICE BUILDING BLOG

WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL RICHARD E GERSTEIN JUSTICE BUILDING BLOG. THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO JUSTICE BUILDING RUMOR, HUMOR, AND A DISCUSSION ABOUT AND BETWEEN THE JUDGES, LAWYERS AND THE DEDICATED SUPPORT STAFF, CLERKS, COURT REPORTERS, AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WHO LABOR IN THE WORLD OF MIAMI'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE. POST YOUR COMMENTS, OR SEND RUMPOLE A PRIVATE EMAIL AT HOWARDROARK21@GMAIL.COM. Winner of the prestigious Cushing Left Anterior Descending Artery Award.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

THE PASSING OF ELLIS RUBIN

Anonymous said...
SAD BREAKING NEWS. ELLIS RUBIN HAS PASSED AWAY

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family

Tuesday, December 12, 2006 6:16:55 PM
Anonymous said...
Rest in peace Ellis Rubin...


Rumpole remembers:
Mr. Rubin was a throwback to the days when the solitary defense attorney rode into town to defend the person no one else would defend.

Did Mr. Rubin like a case in the news? Sure. But don't let his cases in the press mask the underlying talent of an excellent trial lawyer. He should not be remembered for that one case everyone mentions (TV intoxication). He should be remembered for being a fighter, an innovator, a man who cared about his clients, and man who went to jail for his beliefs.

We proudly admit we bought and read his book "Get Me Ellis Rubin". One comment always stuck with us, and only a real trial lawyer would be able to write about it. Mr. Rubin wrote that he always enjoyed trying cases against a prosecutor who had a reputation for never losing. Because when he managed to cause them enough problems in trial, he knew they were in unfamiliar territory and he had the advantage. Only a lawyer who tries a lot of cases knows that feeling.

From the outside looking in, we think his was a life well lived.

We celebrate his memory.

64 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rumpole
Put the bong down. Rubin's ADDICTION for media attention got so bad that toward the end, he would cold call criminal defendants to take on their cases for FREE. Of course, only if the press was interested in the case. One example was the Calvo murder case. Most of the time, he would withdraw from the cases(after he go thte press), but not before he fucked it up royally see Anthony Lee.
Rumpole, I decent

Anonymous said...

LOL. Didn't take long for some anonymous loser to slam the recently departed. Big surprise. I guess it really offends some people that others are respected. Sad.

Anonymous said...

It's "dissent!" Your grammar is not "decent." And you're an ass...the guy just died. Bad JuJu for you!

Anonymous said...

Why can't we in the legal profession be honest.We may not have like Ellis Rubin,but he was a fine attorney.We may not have liked in anytics and theatrics.But he was a fine lawyer.We may not have liked his arrogance but he was a fine lawyer.
We like to badmouth those who may posses qualities we wish we had.Unfortunately,this is a fraility in being human:but the loegal professional should be better than that.
Ellis Rubin will be remembered;and we wish his family our most sincere condolences.
P.S.Same goes when we bad mouth judges because they did not comply with our wishes.Its always easier to blame someone else.Both Judge Scolas are fine Judges and we are lucky to have them in Miami-Dade.They have courage to do that which they believe is right without fear of retribution.More of us should be like that.

Anonymous said...

What happened in the CALVO case? how did it resolve itself? Was she ever charged?

ps: wasn't kathy willets a piece of ass? Rumpole, did you have her?

Anonymous said...

i think the case is still kicking around. rubin did agree to take the case for free. were it not for the fact that the media was covering the case, i bet he never would have taken the case for free. for god's sake, the guy called the press to tell them he was on his death bed. maybe he had t.v. addiction...

Anonymous said...

Ellis Rubin may have had his faults, but nobody can deny that he had balls of steel was not afraid to take on any prosecutor or politician in court or in the media (where he really excelled). It is interesting to see the Rubin P.R. machine in action even after his death. His office had a special room for press conferences, something I have never seen in any other law office. R.I.P.

Anonymous said...

Rump, why do you post serious things on this blog? You just give those hack lawyers with failed practices an opportunity to trash someone. Just post gossip. Serious intelligent posts are not for this audience.

Anonymous said...

Now Barrar will have to be a jerk all by himself.

Anonymous said...

Didn't Rubin and his firm get caught in some big ethical problem on a PI case years ago and to save his own skin he sacrificed his kid who got disbarred? Having cases in the media and honor are two distinct propositions.Great lawyer-yes- great human being ?

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

Ellis Rubin Goes To Jail

The case was Russell Sanborn (F84-10908) and he was accused of the brutal murder of a young college girl named Erin Abramson. The defendant had gone through three attorneys when Rubin took the case. Judge Sidney Shapiro had had enough of Sanborn and his antics and told Rubin that this case was going to trial come hell or high water.

On the morning of trial, Rubin tried to withdraw from the case, telling the Judge that he could not ethically move forward with the trial because his client wanted to take the stand and would commit perjury during his testimony.

Shapiro denied Rubin's request and, of course, Rubin stood his ground. He filed a writ with the 3rd DCA and lost. Still, he stood his ground. He believed that, to put Sanborn on the stand and permit him to testify, would be a direct violation of the Code. He refused to be a part of that and he was held in contempt and sent to jail. He spent 30 days in jail for standing up for what he believed the Florida Bar Code required at the time.

The Florida Supreme Court took up the matter in a disciplinary proceeding against Rubin filed by the Florida Bar. Their opinion ruled against Rubin and they ordered a public reprimand in The Florida Bar vs. Ellis Rubin, in 1989.

It should be noted that, the "free narrative approach" that the 3rd DCA suggested Rubin employ when palcing his client on the stand, has been overwhelming rebuked by the American Bar Association, the United States Supreme Court, and finally, by the Florida Bar and the Florida Supreme Court, all of which have condemned the free narrative approach.

That is the Ellis Rubin that I remember.

CAPTAIN OUT .............

Anonymous said...

Rumpole....stop posting the death of a person on this blog.

If it was my family member and you posted there death on this blog for jerks to rant and rave on the eve of my loved one's death I would kick your ASS!!

This is a blog not made for serous issues such as the death of a human being. Rumpole get over yourself and stick to ruining careers of the living with lies and gossip.

Anonymous said...

according to the herald, rubin lead a march against desegregation?

Anonymous said...

give my regards ro broadway..........

Anonymous said...

Ellis was the Republican candidate against Gerstein when the office of State Attorney was created -- for the 1956 election. Would have been a different world if he had won.

Anonymous said...

now that the publicity hound has left us, i guess that yale galanter has that field all to himself. and galanter can continue to offer his services without a fee in order to see his name in print. i get a handsome fee for my services, galanter gets some pub[oj] but no bucks.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Are there reporters and news stations in the after life?

Tuesday, December 12, 2006 8:18:02 PM

I sure hope so.

Susannah Nesmith
Miami Herald

Anonymous said...

Seen around town:

Sunday night: Everyone's favorite soon to be ex-judge having dinner at Escopazzo in Miami Beach with Soprano Star James Gandolfini and some Soprano writers prepping for the final Soprano courtroom scene.

Then on Tuesday it was lunch at Christy's with the big man: Hector L, followed by the 5:30 to Regan International (first class natch) -dinner at Valentinos (a local pol hangout) and late drinks at the Hay House accross the street from the Casa Blanca where the discussion was : "district or circuit?"
These Bushes cannot get enough of this guy. Is "Barkett and Hernandez Concur" in our near future?

Anonymous said...

If there is an afterlife for the media, there should be a special hell for channel six reporters who put your picture on TV with no proof whatsoever.

Anonymous said...

rubin should have been disbarred a long time ago. he would take a case for publicity and then quietly drop it. now galanter has the field to himself....

Anonymous said...

its so nice to trash dead people anonymously. What would some of you do if you couldnt do this?

Anonymous said...

Was that a high-profile Miami defense attorney recently of the PD's office back stage with Gwen Stefani at the Letterman show last night? Some say "yup".

Anonymous said...

MORE BREAKING NEWS: MORE DEATHS:

Peter Boyle, who left the life of a monk to study acting and went on to become one of the most successful character actors of his time in films like “The Candidate,” “Young Frankenstein” and “Monster’s Ball,” then capped his career with a long stint as the meddlesome father on the hit sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond,” died Tuesday evening in Manhattan. He was 71.

Anonymous said...

COURT WILL BE CLOSED TOMORROW IN HONOR OF THE MEMORIES OF ELLIS RUBIN AND PETER BOYLE.

Anonymous said...

WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT RICHARD SHARPSTEIN WILL BE THE RECIPIENT OF THE FIRST ANNUAL ELLIS RUBIN MEDIA HOUND AWARD. DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED BY SHARPSTEIN IN THE HEARALD AND ALL TV STATIONS TONIGHT.

Rumpole said...

Anonymous cried:
This is a blog not made for serous issues such as the death of a human being. Rumpole get over yourself and stick to ruining careers of the living with lies and gossip.

Rumpole responds: This blog is indeed made for serious issues. It's the readers and those who leave comments who are made for the lesser elements in life.

"Get over myself" ?

Never I say. Never.

Anonymous said...

And I hear that the same hotshot former PD back stage at Letterman is also working on the Allen Iverson trade with some agents.

Anonymous said...

To the defense attorney on the indigirls board:

I hear you are doing DATY AND DATO with providers who are GFE OR PSE and engage in DFK AND LFK.

You'd better stop.

Anonymous said...

Rumy please- is this Hernandez BS true or not. This jerk with his Page six NY Post posts is driving me crazy with this crap. Please remove this junk or make him/her prove it. Same with Gwen Stefani. She is married. She is not dating some Miami Lawyer. Enough already. I can't take it anymore. Stop stop stop.

Anonymous said...

you idiots even asking whether this hernandez crap is true are dumber than the guy posting it.

Anonymous said...

I bet Ellis is rolling in his grave because his death was front page news but, not the top story.

I never liked the way he put himself before the client and the way he took big cases only to withdraw later when the publicity ended.

Anyway, may he rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

I hate to say bad things about a dead person but, when is the last time you saw Ellis Rubin do something for the defense bar or anyone other than Ellis Rubin?

Anonymous said...

When Juan Carlos Diaz, filed that pro-se sexual "repeat violence" case against Gloria Estevan's Husband Emilio Estevan and it hit the front page of the international news.....

Question: Who was the only lawyer to take the case and represent Juan Carlos Diaz? And two weeks later when the media droped the story from the front pages quickly, quitely, withdrew as counsel?

New Counsel quickly voluntraily dismissed the action and the Estevans through Holland & Knight brought there own action against Juan Carlos Diaz, of course by this time the press had killed the story and left Mr. Estevan with a google search that no one deserves.

In that case I say shame on Rubin. Especially when this Juan Carlos Diaz guy had no cash and it was obvious that Rubin did it for the two weeks of media coverage he milked every minute of...

RIP Ellis Rubin....

Anonymous said...

Batman says:

I have now observed a full day of this acromonious BS from those who have the need to kick the defenseless, in this case, the nacrotic. Maybe I am old fashioned, but if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Especially if you did not really know the man or did not have the intestinal fortitude to say it to his face while he was alive. How brave you all get when someone can't fight back.

Kudos to Rumpole. You may not have liked the man. You may not have liked his methods. But his passing is news and worthy of note.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone ever remember Ellis Rubin saying nice things or doing nice things at the courthouse?

I don't!

Anonymous said...

Sorry to say this but, Ellis Rubin was not a good lawyer.

He was a media whore who did nothing but, try to make himself look good.

May he rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

I do not appreciate the BS Ellis did "on behalf" of his clients.

Sorry, I will not miss him.

Anonymous said...

love to see everyone disgrace the memory of a lawyer - congratulations

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

TO 4:54
"Sorry to say this but, Ellis Rubin was not a good lawyer."

TO 3:57
"when is the last time you saw Ellis Rubin do something for the defense bar or anyone other than Ellis Rubin?"


THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:

Maybe it is time for the two of you to start reading your FLW's. How many opinions from the 4th DCA have you read in the past couple of years where confessions were throw out of evidence as a direct result of the bad wording in the Miranda warnings that were printed on BSO and other police agency papers?

Who was the attorney that brought this huge issue to light and caused many appellate courts and prosecutors much heartburn?

The case was State v. Aimee Lee Weis (she was accused of killing her newborn child).

OR

Ever heard of the "battered woman syndrome? I guess not, because if you had done your research, you would have learned that it was Rubin, in 1987, who won the first case in Florida using the now-common defense. Lisa Faye Keller of Broward County was acquitted of bludgeoning her stepfather to death after Rubin argued she had been abused for years.

So, to the two num-skulls above, and those other anonymous commentors that had notning good to say about Mr. Rubin, I would like to hear what each of you have done lately for the criminal justice system.

Until then, shut the F--- up.

CAPTAIN OUT ..................

Rumpole said...

Anonymous said...
I hate to say bad things about a dead person but, when is the last time you saw Ellis Rubin do something for the defense bar or anyone other than Ellis Rubin?

Rumpole says- what a bunch of altruist collectivists- since when is a man's life measured by the amount he sacrificed to others? As I recall, Rubin recently beat the pants off some dopey prosecutor in the case regarding the parents who's child died. Rubin was a good trial lawyer. There are plenty of other defense lawyers and in fact the prosecutor in the case Rubin won, who needlessly seek out the media and grandstand. Rubin did not owe anyone anything other than the duty he owed his clients to do his best.

Anonymous said...

I for one believe most of the stuff about Hernandez. And a Bush appointment to a district or circuit slot could be a lot worse.

Anonymous said...

Batman says:

To Riddler: You are not worth responding to except to say that it sounds like that stint in prison the last time you messed with me left a lasting impression on you.

Captain: Three cheers and kudos to you.

Rumpole: We are measured by our deeds (good and bad). It is not for us to judge a life. G-d will do that for us.

Rest in Peace Ellis.

Anonymous said...

thats funny

Anonymous said...

Rumpy,

Did you personally know Ellis Rubin? Do you ever remember him helping champion a cause or helping a poor person pro bono?

Did he ever even say hello to you? I saw him hundreds of times and he treated most like he could have cared less if he knew them.... Kind of like Phil R does.

The truth is that he represented many people and may have done a good job for many but, some of the bullshit he did for his own publicity makes most lawyers want to vomit.

Sorry, but, I cannot remember him ever doing anything other than taking cases soley for the publicity.

I think you should remove the suck my dick comments too.

Rumpole said...

Anonymous moaned:
Rumpy,

Did you personally know Ellis Rubin? Do you ever remember him helping champion a cause or helping a poor person pro bono?

Rumpole replies: actually he did champion many causes, from anti-communism to anti-gay rights with Anita Bryant, to supporting the right to gay marriage (people change over time).

But the point is, you really know nothing about what I stand for when you ask me to measure a man by the poor people he helped. Altruism as a standard of value is evil. The deed itself may be nice. But you support the worst in humanity when you require individuals to sacrifice themselves for the benefit of others. Only 2% of people who read this will get it. The rest will moan- "Oh Rumpole hates poor people. Rumpole hates charity." The ones that do get will understand. The religion of altruism is a doctrine to enslave people. It kills more people then the act of one pro bono case will ever help.

I could tell you to read Atlas Shrugged, but you are too busy looking to make sure your fellow man puts his 10% in the collection plate.

Rumpole said...

Riddler- you almost made it. But your juvenile prurient comment tubed you in the end.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone really believe Hernandez had dinner with Gandolfini and is going to write for the Sopranos?

Anonymous said...

Let me put the Ellis Rubin thing to rest. He was a great trial lawyer. Granted he was no Simon Steckel, but still he was great.

There. That does it.

Anonymous said...

9:14, I'm sure you're decent, but do you dissent?

Anonymous said...

bofe

Anonymous said...

Phil R. I don't care what bad things these folks imply or actually say about you, you were always nice to me!!!

E. Garcia

Anonymous said...

IVAN HERNANDEZ is an idiot!!!

Anonymous said...

"But you support the worst in humanity when you require individuals to sacrifice themselves for the benefit of others." Many of our fathers fought in Vietnam, was their sacrifice evidence of the "worst in humanity?" To say to our sons and daughthers that they must be prepared to sacrifice does that breed the "worst in humanity?" When Put Something Back calls and we answer because we have to do the hours, does that act of altruism breed the "worst in humanity?" When our law schools require pro bono work, does it breed "the worst in humanity?" When High Schools require community service hours to be performed cleaning hospitals or reading to the elderly, do we foster "the worst in humanity?" Does it breed support for "the worst in humanity" when we ask people convicted of vehicular homicide to donate to trauma centers? Maybe I'm in that 2% that just does not understand, and for that I feel truly fortunate. Your comment really misses the mark, particularly during the season of giving.

Anonymous said...

8:41
you need serious help. good luck.

8:44
borat is a great earthling.

captain
stop taking yourself so serious. relox.

rumpole
have you ever tried illegal drugs? if so, what is your favorite?

judge young
i;m gonna miss watching you hand out jail time in a penguin costume.

riddler
your a sick individual

fake jason grey
your sicker then jason grey.

david weed
is it true that you retired then unretired and now make 225k per year. if so, you are the greatest slacker of your generation and i tip my cap to you..

Anonymous said...

weed makes 225 per?

Anonymous said...

Sally Weintraub makes 250k/year. I guess she beats Weed.

Anonymous said...

OK -Rumpole. Why is the 8:44 post still up? Bet it would be down if the comment was directed at a race or national/ethnic group (such as the dominant nationality in Miami-Dade). This blog need not be clean or pleasant, but you should remove the really nasty stuff.

Anonymous said...

"Until then, shut the F--- up.

CAPTAIN OUT ..................

Wednesday, December 13, 2006 5:11:29 PM"

Just when you thought the captain was sane he pulls this comment and just went right off the deep end.

Phil R. dont worry when you pass away (cant be any sooner for me) I have a half dozen or so rude comments to post about you.

Ivan Hernandez will be lucky to get appointed trash collector at the Federal Court building.

Rumpole Please take down that anti JEW comment already.

Oh Captain please already get over it!

Anonymous said...

wow- you all need HBO. Even I know that the 8:44 post is a bit from DA ALI G show written by a jewish guy.
a joke. not hate speech.. rumpole has HBO.

Anonymous said...

11:25pm LEAVE PHIL ALONE!!!

"An attorney for 18 years, Philip Reizenstein started his career as an Assistant State Attorney under Janet Reno. As a prosecutor, Phil worked in the DUI Division, Narcotics Division and was a Division Chief Prosecutor responsible for the investigation and prosecution of homicides, DUI Manslaughter cases and other serious felonies. He is qualified by the Dade County Court Administrators Office to represent people charged in Capital Homicides. Phil has handled thousands of cases and been lead counsel in over a hundred and ten jury trials, including three capital death penalty trials- two as a defense attorney and one as a prosecutor.

Phil Reizenstein has lectured to the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys on a variety of topics in criminal law. Besides being a member of the Florida Bar, he is a member of the Federal Bars for the Southern and Middle Districts Of Florida, and a member of the bar of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals as well as member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.

Phil was the recipient of the State Of Florida Meritorious Service Award for his work as a prosecutor."

As per his web bio....

Anonymous said...

110 trials why not 112 trial phil?

Anonymous said...

TO PHIL R.

SIMPLE SOLUTION:

SAY HELLO, GOOD MORNING, NICE TO SEE YOU AND STUFF LIKE THAT EVERY NOW AND THEN TO PEOPLE YOU KNOW.

Anonymous said...

maybe phil thinks youre an asshole

Anonymous said...

I have read Mr. Rubin's book and had the chance to meet him personally on several occasions. Ellis Rubin was a great lawyer who was never afraid to take a chance. He fought for desegregation and gay rigths. He pioneered inventive defeses. He help reform the scripted Miranda warning in Broward County. During his last few months on this planet, Mr. Rubin worked for his clients and stayed in contact with his former clients. Say what you will about the man's use of the media. Regardless, Ellis Rubin did more good than bad in this world.