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.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

FORMER ASA DAVID STERN HAS PASSED AWAY

Sad news once again. Former Assistant State Attorney David Stern, well known to all of us who practiced in the REGJB through the late 1980's and 1990's has passed away after a long and very brave battle with cancer. We received the email from his friend Dan Lurvey informing us of this news. 

David practiced law as a prosecutor with fairness, a certain flair, and humor and compassion, all while doing his job for the people of the State Of Florida exceptionally well. David was well liked and well respected by almost all the Judges and lawyers he worked with. 

We need more lawyers like David Stern. He will be missed and remembered as one of the good guys

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your words "We need more lawyers like David Stern" ring so true. I had the honor and pleasue of working with him while an ASA. He was the kind of man you could easily share jokes and friendly barbs with (a Cleveland native, he was huge Browns fan while I love the Steelers), yet at the same time freely and willingly offer guidance and advice to younger lawyers. David fought hard in trial was always fair and a gentleman. I recall a number of people saying things about David; what rings out is that I don't recall anyone ever saying anything negative about him. Quite simply, he was a good lawyer and a good guy.

David, you will be missed. RIP my friend.

Anonymous said...

A real honest guy, never a pushover, always wore his heart on his sleeve and never took professional issues personally.

Anonymous said...

Terrible week.

Stephanie + David had been ill, but their deaths truly leave a void.

Both were such genuinely decent and caring people.

Anonymous said...

phil r said...
David did have his own style, and as Scott said, he did wear his heart on his sleeve. I guess what we're all trying to say is that he was "genuine". He was a real guy, not looking to hurt people or take advantage of anyone. He took his job seriously, and he took the mandate "to do justice" just as seriously, and he was one of the few prosecutors secure enough in himself to understand "doing justice" does not always mean seeking the maximum penalty. I have missed having David around since he left to the City Attorneys Office in Broward, and then when he got sick. Dan Lurvey kept me updated as to how bravely David fought his illness. I'm not surprised. He loved life. Rest in Peace, friend

Anonymous said...

Why are so many who work in the REG dying of cancer? Is this a situation like the Federal building and Judge Klien.

Rumpole, I would like a complete investigation before another friend dies of cancer.

Anonymous said...

RIP Sterno.........you were one of a kind.

Anonymous said...

It's a sad week for us former ASAs to see that both Stephanie Feldman and David Stern have left us. I had the privilege of working with both of them at the SAO and they were two ASAs that the office could be proud of.

They will both be missed.

Anonymous said...

This is Rumpole- read this and click on the link. I will verify this is me with another comment.

I've been toying for some time now with the possibility of us celebrating a non-denominational Red Mass once a year in the Justice Building to remember all of our friends in colleagues who have passed away. In the few years we have run this blog we have lost Judges Manny Crespo, Henry Leyte-Vidal, lawyers Stu Mishkin, Sy Gaer, now David and Stephanie, and I am sure I am forgetting many others.

A Red Mass is a catholic church ceremony for Judges, prosecutors, and government officials. For more on what it is click on the link to the Wikki.

Rumpole said...

That was me . The link is to information on the Red Mass.

Anonymous said...

Not to get off the sad passing of a dear friend but why is the the Herald printing on Thursday the Clerks race and again with new heading and now pictures of the candidates. Does Ruvin need that much help to win?

Anonymous said...

as far as premature deaths at the justice bldg., don't forget asa's:

caleb freedman (died in his 30's)
robert segall (died in his 30's of
cancer)

are there others?

Anonymous said...

Cancer in the Justice Building should nbe investigated. There are way too many attorneys, judges and clerks dying of cancer in the REGB.

Anonymous said...

Gonna miss Sterno. Great guy to know, to golf with, to hang out with, to see at Fins games. We will all remember him fondly.

Anonymous said...

what former trial lawyer, very well respected and feared for 10 years in the Justice building is in declining health and possibly on death's door?

Anonymous said...

Bill Schurr (SAO---Extraditions) of cancer.

Paul Mendelson (SAO---Chief of the Legal Division) of heart disease.

Two other incredibly good and honest men who left us way to early.

BTDT

Anonymous said...

Pete Cainas (ASA) murdered after returning to the Hialeah police force when responding to a DV call (ironically, he had recently told many of us that DV calls were the ones that concerned him the most. He did everything right that day and was killed when the bullet ricocheted off the door frame. A one in a million chance).

Another great guy who really cared about doing the right thing taken way too early and while serving the public.

Anonymous said...

I tried several cases against David, we fought like dogs then went out drinking afterwards. Different day when we started. Bye Sterno. Been saying that way to often lately
Jason Grey

Anonymous said...

2:21..........turning someone's health issues into a trivia question is not in the least bit funny. In fact, it's disgusting. We just lost two great people and now you make light of someone else's suffering. Pitiful.

BTDT

Anonymous said...

Hey 10/25/08 @ 2:21 p.m.

Playing "death pool" with a fellow lawyer is kind of disrespectful and classless isn't it?

Rumpole said...

I don't see 2:21's post as a death pool or inappropriate. In bad taste? Yes. But no one is named. However, if there is something I don't know please let me know and I will remove it.

Anonymous said...

2:21 just made Scott Saul an enemy. I would say that your health is soon to be in decline.

Anonymous said...

David

You left your mark in this world you will surely will be missed.

Anonymous said...

Can someone please post a photo of David?

Anonymous said...

it already is, i put up the post.

Anonymous said...

Sterno was a great man, a great trial lawyer and a great friend. It was my honor and privilege to be trained by him and i will miss him. Sterno, welcome home.

Anonymous said...

Sterno was a great man, a great trial lawyer and a great friend. It was my honor and privilege to be trained by him and i will miss him. Sterno, welcome home.

Anonymous said...

David was a great guy and rump you hit the nail on the head when you say we need more lawyers like david. He was my first felony supervisor at the SAO and he always took the time to help me and other young lawyers. he was tough but fair and taught me alot about seeing the other side of the case. i also had the pleassure of trying a case with him and he was great. i once watched him win the absouloutely most impossible murder case i ever saw anyone try in my 12 years at the sao.

david was also a true character beneath his sometimes gruff exterior was a person with a great sense of humor and the most loyal freind a person could have.

RIP Sterno

Dan Bernstein