Stuart really deserves his own post. If you wish to comment on the PD and SAO budget crisis and impending cuts, go to the post below this one.
Sad news reaches us, apparently confirmed, that longtime REGJB Lawyer Stuart Mishkin has passed away. Stuart was a former prosecutor, and good friend to many lawyers, court reporters, Judges, and court staff. Stuart Mishkin passed away after a long brave fight. Those of you who were Stuart's friends, knew that at least two years ago, despite a grim diagnosis, Stuart kept working and surprised his doctors. Stuart Mishkin was part of a different era. He was a lawyer when Miami was changing from a sleepy southern tourist town, to the high powered, cocaine fueled, exploding metropolis of the "Miami Vice 1980's". Stuart was here when it all changed. When we think of Stuart, we think of other old-time lawyers like Max Engle, Paul Pollock, Sy Gaer, and of course his longtime former partners Steve Golembe and Ken Weisman. Stuart left his mark on countless clients and friends, and he will be missed and remembered.
Jonathan Davidoff wrote this:
Stuart Mishkin was a great guy. As a former ASA and presently a defense attorney, it was always a pleasure to work with Stuart.Just two weeks ago, I saw Stuart on the third floor running around with a giant smiling on his face. Stuart told me he was dying, but enjoying every day without concern for the future.As a prosecutor, Stuart annoyed me with a smile, but was always respectful and kind. When I started in private practice, Stuart always offered advice, assistance and offered cases. Stuart will be greatly missed, not as an attorney, but as a person!
Jonathan Davidoff
Stuart's former secretary Janet, wrote this:
I had the honor of being Stuart's secretary for 13 years. I was saddened when Maria told me the news of his death. Stuart was so dedicated to his work...he lived for the office. He loved to kid people and talk, talk, talk. He was truly one of a kind. You are in my thoughts. Goodbye old boss.
And Stuart's friend and colleague Judge Lenny Glick, wrote these wonderful words:
I am saddened by the passing of my friend Stu Mishkin. We started at the State Attorneys Office in 1972. I went to his wedding, knew his family and remained friends over these many years.We were trial partners on a few cases,in the early days, and he tried cases before me over the past 17 years that I have been a judge. Like the Sy Gaers of our business his word was his bond. He was an attorney who really cared about his clients while being very realistic about how our business is conducted. Never afraid to go trial but understanding the risks. He had a unique appeal with jurors because he always presented reasonable alternatives to the prosecution case. He will be missed for his sense of humour, his humanity and his humbleness.We who knew him need to reflect on what is important in life. Family,friends,honor and integrity and then work.
The "job", whatever it is we do, comes last, all other things come first. Stu personified the legacy we all strive for:
Did his work with dignity and ethics.
Good lawyer who cared.
Loved life and family.
Was a friend who could be counted on.
Didn't take himself to seriously.
Tried to make a difference.
We will miss him but he will be remembered.
A friend, Lenny Glick
Gotta love the Mish. Great guy. Always a smile. Always seeing the funny and ironic side of our work. Rest in peace friend. I thought about you often when you were sick and I admired your courage, although you deserved to spend you last months and years on a beach in Hawaii or the Mountains of North Carolina. You loved your work. You met clients, famously at a Dennys, any hour of the day or night. You went out as you chose to do and I admire you for that. Gonna miss you.
ReplyDeleteAn old friend.
Another sad day at the MJB (as he would have called it).
ReplyDeleteStu was cut from the silk cloth of the 1980s drug defenders. A zealous advocate for his clients and a pleasant guy with a wry sense of humor.
Another face to miss at the MJB.
Please edit my earlier posting regarding Stuart Mishkin.... If possible, please post his widow's email address -- instead of her street address -- merrily0418@aol.com
ReplyDeletethank you
what did die of?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteThank you all for the announcement and the nice comments about Stuart on this blog. I have passed these comments on to his widow, Merrily, who greatly appreciates your kind remarks and your recognition of Stuart’s contributions to the local legal community. Stuart passed away peacefully yesterday morning at home, with his wife by his side, after a courageous and nearly 2 year battle with lung cancer.
For those of you who have been calling for funeral arrangements, Stuart will be buried in a cemetery out of town. Private services will be held graveside on Friday. Stuart requested no flowers be sent. However, if anyone would like to make donations to the Humane Society in his name, I’m sure that he would have appreciated that since he was a devoted animal lover and routinely made contributions himself.
I did not have the opportunity to know Stu Mishkin extensively, but on our first meeting he very bravely and good-naturedly told me that he had very little time left on this earth. I was touched by his courage and humor and saddened by this revelation. Even though we briefly met, I thought about him often and hoped that he would somehow beat the odds. He seemed to be a good-hearted and positive person. May he rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteStuart waws a wonderful man and lawyer. He will be missed.
ReplyDeleteHeaven just got litigious.
ReplyDeletefor those of you who smoke, you should think about quitting. lung cancer did stuart in, although his weight and other problems did not help.
ReplyDeleteI hear that David Stern is very ill as well. Please keep him in your prayers.
ReplyDeleteNot to get off message but Ricky Martin has endorsed Hilary!!!
ReplyDeleteLa vida loca!
Days before the primary in Puerto Rico, Ricky Martin has endorsed Hillary Clinton.
"These elections will have historic repercussions both in the United States and the world," the Puerto-Rican born "5-time Grammy award winning artist" said in a release sent out by the Clinton campaign.
"Senator Clinton has always been consistent in her commitment with the needs of the Latino community. Whether fighting for better education, universal health care and social well-being, as First Lady and senator from New York -- representing millions of Latinos -- she has always fought for what is most important for our families."
who is david stern?
ReplyDeleteI had the honor of being Stuart's secretary for 13 years. I was saddened when Maria told me the news of his death. Stuart was so dedicated to his work...he lived for the office. He loved to kid people and talk, talk, talk. He was truly one of a kind. You are in my thoughts. Goodbye old boss.
ReplyDeletesad to here re mishkin.
ReplyDeletealso bad news that davidoff is back in miami.
I rented an office from Stuart for some years in 1990's. As Janet his old secretary said (HI Janet, by the way. Nice to see you found the blog.) Stuart loved to talk with people. He was a people person. I could see that clients hired him because of the interest he took in them, their personal lives, and their cases. Stuart did live for his clients and his work. As the first person wrote, he was famous for taking calls on new cases late at night and meeting the clients at a nearby Dennys. He rarely took vacations. He was a great provider for his family. He also loved his dogs.
ReplyDeleteStuart and I defended Peter Walton. Reid Ruben was the prosecutor. We were able to get a life recommendation and sentence in a rather difficult first degree murder case. I liked working with him. His humor often was a great relief in difficult times. I will miss him. Like Sy, but in his own way with his own style, he was another Justice Building original who has moved on.
I think it is great that Davidoff is back in town. What, are you scared he may take some of your clients away from you? With the PD's office declining cases, there will be plenty around for all of us. Just make sure you get paid.
ReplyDeleteI for one, and probably for many, am happy to have Davidoff back in the Miami heat!
Stuart Mishkin was a true person of the people.He did not talk legalize to his clients,afterall he wanted them to understand what he was talking about.Time meant little to Stu,being on time was not a strong characteristic;but he was a most likeable person with integrity.His deep raspy voice echoed in R.E.G.and the various courtrooms.He is a throwback that will be missed.
ReplyDeleteI am saddened by the passing of my friend Stu Mishkin. We started at the State Attorneys Office in 1972. I went to his wedding, knew his family and remained friends over these many years.
ReplyDeleteWe were trial partners on a few cases,in the early days, and he tried cases before me over the past 17 years that I have been a judge. Like the Sy Gaers of our business his word was his bond. He was an attorney who really cared about his clients while being very realistic about how our business is conducted. Never afraid to go trial but understanding the risks. He had a unique appeal with jurors because he always presented reasonable alternatives to the prosecution case.
He will be missed for his sense of humour, his humanity and his humbleness.
We who knew him need to reflect on what is important in life.
Family,friends,honor and integrity and then work.
The "job", whatever it is we do, comes last, all other things come first.
Stu personified the legacy we all strive for:
Did his work with dignity and ethics.
Good lawyer who cared.
Loved life and family.
Was a friend who could be counted on.
Didn't take himself to seriously.
Tried to make a difference.
We will miss him but he will be remembered.
A friend,
Lenny Glick
Rumpole my Rumpole. Your sensitivity has me enraptured. Such a strong funny man, and yet tender. I know in my heart of hearts you are the man for me. Did you get the picture I sent you of me on the beach? Can you imagine sitting next to me, rubbing oil on my back? Massaging me in the heat of the Florida sun, as we lay their resting from our long passionate nights. I need you Rumpole. Please. You are the man for me.
ReplyDeleteI take issue with my friend Judge Glick and his wonderful sentiments in one regard- Stuart was so dedicated to his clients and his work and providing for his family, he often put his work and his cases above his own needs. I talked with him about that frequently when I worked with him, but at the time I was single and my biggest worry was getting my car washed for the weekend. Stuart was putting two kids through college at the time. Still, from my perspective, I wish he had taken more time to stop and smell the roses.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if Kenny Weisman still reads the blog, he should write in with the "Bagels Newman" story about Stu.
ReplyDeleteI had the opportunity of meeting Stuart on a personal level. He possesed unique characteristics which made it easy for me to admire and respect the man. My deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Stuart Mishkin. Farewell Stuart, we will never forget you.
ReplyDeleteI never liked Stu mainly because when I was a new prosecutor he talked down to me when not on the record, the way Sy never did. I trust Judge Glick and Phil's assessments of him, however. Maybe I just didn't get to know him.
ReplyDeleteThat post that that Davidoff guy wrote about himself is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteStu was a wonderful man. I remember being at ABP in line with him, I asked him how he was doing and his reply was, "I just found out today, I have cancer and I am going to die soon." I couldn't believe it. The weeks and months to follow, I would ask how he was doing and why he was still working? I told him to go home, be with his family and enjoy life. He said, if I stay home, I will die. He loved work, he loved to shmooze and he loved his family. I will truly miss his sense of humor, his smile (hiding all of his pain) and his kind and encouraging words every time that I would speak to him. My condolences to his family. He will be missed. Rest in peace my friend.
ReplyDeleteStacy
I tried a case with Stu years ago; Mary Ann McKenzie was the Judge. Wow, that is a long, long time ago. It was a robbery case and we had a great time trying it together; of course, McKenzie on the bench provided us with several smiles together in and of itself.
ReplyDeleteI will always remember that deep raspy voice. Good bye Stu and may you rest in peace.
Rick Freedman
Rumpole - I hope you're smart enough to figure out that "blonde bombshell" is really a guy trying to find out your identity. Women don't write crap like that, we know how to spell, and we would only refer to ourselves as a "blond bombshell" in a hooker ad. I don't know, maybe I'm just a little jealous because I'm a real woman who has fantasized about you on a lonely night after a couple of glasses of wine...
ReplyDeleteMy condolances to Mishkin's (sorry, no one ever called him by his first name) family, who made a point in today's Herald obit to thank everyone in our little world at the REG.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, Mishkin was well known elsewhere. Several years ago the decades-long director of the student union at the University of South Florida died. An online guest book brought in hundreds of emails. At the memorial service at USF they put up a screen and showed selected e-mail messages. A long heartfelt one was signed "Stuart Mishkin."
I came back to Miami and learned about Mishkin's years at USF. He was at first I think shocked that he actually was successful in creating and sending an email, and that someone actually received it, and then overwhelmed that it was part of the service.
A couple days ago I saw him driving away from the parking lot and wondered how much longer he'd be around.
Lets end the threat the way it began:
ReplyDeleteGOTTA LOVE THE MISH.
1:29 am. The problem is that the young woman in question did indeed send me an email of her, walking away from the camera, on the beach, naked from the waist up, with "I want Rumpole" written in lipstick on her tanned back as she walked away. I don't know what to make of it, especially since I now apparently have two admirers.
ReplyDeleteI sign my own comments with my name, I am not scared to post what I believe, but you do Anonymous 6:44pm and 9:53pm.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, this blog is about Stuart, so get a life, which would have been more valuable for the Old Mish.
Jonathan Davidoff
Mishkin (Brian T. was right, nobody ever called him by his first name) was a good guy. Loved to chat, joke and BS. Fought like hell for his clients but was upfront with them. Treated me well and chatted me up as an ASA. Gave me advice and guidance and sent me some cases when I went into private practice. Took his diagnosis and fate with toughness and dignity. Was pretty humble and didn't have the inflated ego of too many defense attorneys.
ReplyDeletePlus he and Kenny Weisman did a lot of pro bono work representing deaf clients. Kenny told me the story.
Rest in peace my friend.
Rumpole - come on, you're thinking with your wiener now. It wouldn't cost much to pay a hooker/aspiring model & singer to pose for such picture. An uninhibited female friend of "blonde bombshell" could have done it too for fun and as a favor. If the body is model-type and there are no tan lines, she's most likely a hooker. If the face is not shown, consider posting the picture and let your readers help you decide whether it's from a legitimate admirer or just a trap. Sincerely yours, 1:29 am...
ReplyDeleteI always called him Stu when I spoke with him, but I'll tell you that the name "Mishkin" conveyed his true essence at the MJB.
ReplyDeleteThat's it Rump, post the picture!
ReplyDeleteStu,
ReplyDeleteMay you rest in peace.
Stuart was a friend of our family and we had him over for dinner several times when he was a prosecutor with my husband Judge Lenny Glick. He was so thoughtful that he came over and brought two Raggedy Ann Dolls onr for each of my daughters, Adriane and Stacy, because they both have red hair just like the dolls. Not many people would have done something so kind. So Thoughtful. It was a Mishcon thing to do. When he asked you how you were he actually looked at you and meant it and cared about the answer. When they made Stuart they threw away away the mold. He is irreplacible and will be missed. It is too bad that so many people will not have the pleasure to know him. Stuart, thank you for being part of the Glick's life. dianne glick
ReplyDeleteStuart was a friend of mine for more then 30 years. He was a truly unique lawyer who fit no real pattern or mold. I will never forget trials with and against him. I often think about a trial I had with Stu in Federal Court in Selma, Alabama. He was the greatest culture shock that City had seen since the Freedom Marches of the 1960's. R.I.P. Old Friend.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I misspelled Stuart's last name it should not in any way be conveyed as a disrespect to him or his family. It was an error on my part , however my condolences and kind word stand as written. As you can see from the letters from Lenny, Stacy and myself, Stuart left a special mark on our lives and that smile that just seemed to never leave his face will always be in the memory of our kind friend. Rest in Peace and painfree. Dianne Glick
ReplyDeleteWhat Brian T. said about the family thanking the the REG, it is my understanding from someone very close to Merrily, his wife, that Stuart wrote his own obit and that was actually him thanking everyone. I remember him telling me when he first heard the news of his illness 21 months ago that so many people called him and helped him on the rough days. He said he never realized that he had so many people that cared about him. Always doing things his way, even in the end. Good for you Stu. It was my honor to help him anytime I saw he needed the help, even just to carry his briefcase. You will surely be missed. RIP
ReplyDeleteMishkin was one of the best and he definately did leave a mark in our lives. He had great conversation and made me laugh every single time I saw him. He played rough on the outside but truly he was gentle on the inside. He never fooled me, you could see it in his eyes. Rest in Peace, you were a great guy!
ReplyDeleteI JUST LEAENED OF STUART'S PASSING. I KNEW STUART SINCE THE 70'S HE WAS A GREAT FRIEND AND A VERY GENEROUS MAN. I LOVED HIM FOR HIS PASSION FOR LIFE. I AM VERY SADDENED BY THIS NEWS.
ReplyDeleteBONNIE
he was a friend at always got me out of the gates of hell!!! Pete
ReplyDeleteWithout Stuart's expertise and compassion I would have spent several years in jail for a stupid 1 time mistake. Stuart made a miracle happen and beat the entire rap. I write this as a successful, happily married man wuth a newborn child and a clean record!
ReplyDeleteWithout Stuart Mishkin none of this would have been possible.
Rest in piece Stuart and thanks for everything.
Eric M.
I was Stuart's quasi-part-time-when-he-needed me law clerk in 2001. But the experience was amazing. Stuart, you taught me so much. And one of the best lessons was having a sense of humor about a job that can often get you down. You also helped me with my writing and research skills. I will never forget your warmth, your willingness to help and mentor, and your love for your work. Today, 10 years into practice, I am mentoring a young attorney and thinking of all the lessons I learned from you. God bless and Shalom my friend. -Chris Robbins
ReplyDeleteI just found this post. Mr. Mishkin crossed my mind after watching unsolved mysteries on t.v. In 2003, my then boyfriend got into some trouble an ex provoked him into. We were recommended to call Mr. Mishkin by our bondsman, Paz. We did after learning the hard way with a learned lesson and a horrible traffic lawyer my husband used. Mishkin was so caring of the case and us. Intimidating none the less, bit still sweet as pie. He even offered to marry us if we were still together a year later. We actually got married in May of 2008. Ironically so. Been together since Oct 2002. If it wasn't for Mr. Mishkin defending my husband back then, I wonder if things would have turned out the way they have. He kept us together, helped maintain our bond and strength through trying times. We are forever thankful. May he rest in bliss!
ReplyDeleteBrian and Ada