For those of you (like us) who don't shell out the shekels for the DBR, here is a highlight of what was written:
Richard was born, he was precocious in school, one day a teacher predicted he would be a lawyer, and voila, one day he became a husband, a lawyer, a dad, a pilot, a diver, and a champion pinochle player (just kidding about the last item.)
When he's not on the bench, you're likely to find Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Richard Hersch high in the air or deep in the sea.
He loves to fly and dive, and credits both with teaching valuable life skills.
"They're things you better do with some focus and precision," he said. "They're exercises in risk reduction."
Hersch got his pilot's license in law school...
He wanted to fly as long as he can remember.
"My father was a flight engineer on B-24s," Hersch said, "When I was old enough to look over the coffee table there was a flying magazine. So I always knew from when I was about 2-foot tall that I was going to be a pilot."
Deciding to be a lawyer came just a little later, in elementary school.
His parents went to a parent-teacher conference and asked how their son was doing, Hersch said. "The teacher told them, 'He talks a lot. He could be a lawyer.'...
Wife And Partner
"I had been clerking long-distance for a group of six or seven lawyers," Hersch said. They didn't hire him, but they offered him space and a flow of cases. Plus, his wife got a job as an associate with a South Florida firm. "We graduated, got married and opened our law firm all in the same summer."
Hersch ran his solo practice until 1998. Then his wife, Patty Talisman, joined him.
"When our youngest was born, she came over to me," he said. "We were a mom-and-pop firm until she died about four years ago. It was great working with her."
Talisman did appellate work. Hersch did criminal work, including drunken-driving cases that had a lasting impact in Key West.
"I closed down their breath-testing program," he said. "It's still closed down, since December 2008. ... I convinced a county judge there they had to provide the source code, the software and a machine for us to test before they would allow the introduction of any further."
After his wife died of polymyositis, "what had been a mom-and-pop firm became just a pop firm...
Their two daughters helped him through it. "It was difficult at the time, but I was fortunate to have a mission with these girls."
Be On Time
Governor Rick Scott appointed him to the bench in February 2012, and Hersch has been in the juvenile division ever since...
"I was a lawyer for 30 years," he said. "I think what influenced me the most about that was sitting in the courtroom waiting. I think judges should be punctual. ... Since you're a public servant, you're there to do the job to run this unit. You could at least be on time."
He said he has a dual role on the bench — dealing with the juveniles and guiding new attorneys.
"Here in juvenile, these are young lawyers at the beginning of their careers. So I like mentoring them. I like working with them. They have tremendous passion, intelligence. Seasoning will come," he said. "I'll stop right in the middle of trial and say you can't do that. Don't do that again."
Rumpole says: Nice article about a nice guy who is a really good judge.
25 comments:
Richard's wife was wonderful and I miss her.
He was lucky to have her in his life.
F-er tool me for a coupla fins at pinnochele a few weeks ago.
8:42
You ain't lying, junior. And you are not alone.
I practice in a far away state, but reading about Judge Hersch made my day. A well respected day to day practicing lawyer who tries to mentor young attorneys and believes that taking the bench on time is imperative. Sounds like you have a keeper there!
David Ovalle @DavidOvalle305:
Levine: "THE COPS WANT THE RIGHT PERSON BC THEY'RE OUT THERE EVERY DAY" All-caps don't quite capture her decibel level on that one.
umm...vouching much?
Big fan. Humble, straight to the point, good guy. Need more like that.
Hersch is just a great guy all around.
Do you have to be Jewish to play pinochle?
there should be a like button.. it seems silly for me to says that R Hersch is a good guy.. He has always taken the time to help young layers.. I very knowledgeable .. and a good guy.. whats he doing in juvi? I have not been to juvi in at least 5 years. even then it was a shit hole. it could only have gotten worse..
http://www.dailybusinessreview.com/PubArticleDBR.jsp?id=1202613484883&Suits_Filed_Against_Cop_In_Chase_The_Resulted_in_4_Deaths easy pickings in opa locka
What a shame that his name SOUNDS so much like Milt's. There are no 2 men more DISSIMILAR. Where Milt is full of himself (without good reason), Richard is humble and yet extremely accomplished.
Can't wait til Richard is at REG. Perhaps he can take over Milt's division - and everyone in and out of the building can breathe a sigh of relief.
THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:
Former Supreme Court Justice Arthur England Dies
DBR:
Arthur England, a former Florida Supreme Court justice and longtime Greenberg Traurig shareholder, died today after a yearlong lung ailment.
England, 80, was working at home in Coral Gables until late Wednesday, according to Barry Richard, a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, where England had worked until last year when he was diagnosed with a serious lung disease.
"He had to reduce his practice, he wanted to be closer to home, and he was unable to do oral arguments," Richard said. "I was doing his oral arguments for him."
England served on the Florida Supreme Court from 1975 to 1981 and as chief justice from 1978 to 1980. He then moved to private practice, founding Greenberg's national appellate practice and serving as its co-chair for 20 years.
According to England's law firm website, he served in the U.S. Army's Counter-Intelligence Corps after graduating from college.
After he obtained his law degree, he practiced in New York and Miami and served as special tax counsel to the Florida House, where he authored the Florida Corporate Income Tax Code. He later served as special counsel to the governor and wrote Florida's Little FTC Act.
While a state Supreme Court justice, he authored the nation's first program for the generation of interest on lawyer's trust accounts, known as IOLTA.
In 1990, England formed the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers and served as its charter president. In 2008, he was named a Legal Legend by the Miami-Dade Circuit Historical Society.
He is survived by his wife, Deborah, and six children.
Cap Out ...
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/08/01/s-fla-fugitive-returned-to-face-sexual-battery-charges/ what about the asylum request?
Forget criminal court, we need him in Family court.
Read Ovalle's article about the Robertson closings. Gail Levine apparently compared defense counsel to a Martian. If she gets a conviction, it will most likely be reversed for denigration of the defense. Delhall all over again.
looks like a perp walk for the tribe lawyer and pepe herrera
I had the pleasure of meeting Judge Hersch about three weeks before he closed his practice for good. He bought me lunch at Berries, gave me good advice not just about being a young trial lawyer, but about being a good man, a good father, etc.
At the time, he was unsure if he would be appointed or have to run. Either way, I hope he's on the bench for a long time.
On another note, I was in Judge Verde's division this morning, and casually listening as a debate raged about whether counsel for a defendant facing a 15 year MM would get a "second" chance at deposing some cops, even though a previous depo had happened when the client had AC'd. The state, predictably, objected strongly, and Verde, in a few words, asked what justice there was in going to trial on a 15 year MM without first allowing the guy a chance to depose the very cops who promised to make the case. I think it was the first time I had ever heard a judge actually use the word justice, in its best, fullest sense.
Those two are a couple of great, new judges. Cheers to them.
Sorry, 6:58 pm, I just threw up a little in my mouth over your ability to put Margie Verde and Richard Hersch in the same post. Verde does not deserve to hand-wash Hersch's robes, let alone be mentioned in the same post as him. She is an idiot, unaccomplished in any part of her life except for cashing in on her name and ability to charm the Little Havana voters. Seriously, can anyone advise of any significant case she ever handled well in her life?
9:49
How dare you insult Judge Verde. I would rather be in front of her than Judge Hersch anyday. She is a welcome breathe of fresh air. She is respectful to all lawyers, is not a rubber stamp for the prosecutors, and brings fairness and practical common sense to the bench. Am I the only one to have seen a touch of rudeness and arrogance in Judge Hersch? I think not.
8:57 - sorry but I'm with 9:49 on this one. Verde might not be a rubber stamp for asa's, but she has shown no intellect in her career before or after becoming a judge. Are you aware of any significant legal rulings she has issued, other than denying a state continuance? Did she ever try any cases of significance? She's nice enough, but really doesn't have the legal chops to be an effective circuit court judge.
9:49, read the first 8 words of this post, then turn in your Bar card you blathering idiot.
I've been in Verde's courtroom several times. She is polite but seems clueless about how to run her calendar.
8:01
"The stone that the builder refuse, shall be the head cornnerstone."Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
You are lacking ancient wisdom and good old fashioned manners.
I was a doubter when she was elected, but Judge Verde is cordial, practical, and effective. More importantly, she is empathetic.
Judge Verde is a moron!
Post a Comment