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Sunday, January 11, 2015

GREG PREBISH HAS PASSED AWAY





Greg Prebish, a former Miami Criminal Defense attorney who relocated his family to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he worked as a lawyer and a host for the mountain ski resort, passed away suddenly over the weekend from septic shock as a complication from a minor knee surgery. 

Greg is the son of famed Miami Criminal Defense Attorney Harry Prebish, who co-founded the Miami Chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys. 

Greg was a great lawyer. Beloved and respected by his colleagues from both sides of the courtroom and the Judges who presided over his cases. 

Greg was a fixture on the FACDL ski trips, and at some point he decided the mountain life was for him, so he very bravely gave up his practice here and went to Wyoming, where he was able to live the life he always wanted to live. So many of us dream of doing something like this, but so few of us actually do it. Greg passed away way way too early, but at least he was living life on his own terms. Good for him. 

There is a GoFundMe page to help Kim-Greg's wife, with the unexpected funeral and travel expenses. It would be really a great gesture if Greg and Kim's Miami friends pitched in. 

Here is the local paper's obituary. 

From the obituary: 


In the wake of his death multiple organizations and people in the valley remembered him as a dedicated volunteer, a caring man, a conscientious professional and a good friend.
“He was very involved in this community, and he cared a lot about his clients and his friends,” lawyer and Jackson Municipal Judge Melissa Owens said. “I think that’s the word you’re going to hear again and again, is how caring he was.”
Owens, also one of the leaders in the Teton County chapter of the Wyoming Bar Association, knew Prebish both as a fellow lawyer and as one of the men she could count on when she needed volunteers for bar association events.
“It’s not always easy to find people who can or will make time to be a part of those things,” she said, “but he was involved with things like the bar holiday party every year since I became involved myself. He was always willing to help.”
Nonprofits such as the Teton Access to Justice Center and the Community Safety Network remember Prebish as a man who was dedicated to getting justice for the people the organizations served and always willing to help.
Prebish spent at least one evening each week serving as the on-call attorney for the Access to Justice Center, where he offered his services free of charge to the center’s clients, both in representing them when necessary and in providing guidance in filling out legal forms. The center serves Teton County residents who are in need of legal assistance but who cannot afford the help they need...

21 comments:

Secret Judge said...

Such sad news about Greg. He was a fine young man with much talent. His Dad was one of the great trial lawyers of an earlier generation. Live life to the fullest each and every day you are allotted.

Anonymous said...

RIP Greg, you were a fine lawyer and even a finer gentleman.

59 is very young, way too young but you lived a very full life, not by dreaming but by doing. Moving to Jackson Hole was bucket list move which is so enviable.

You will be missed but that free spirit lives on. Godspeed

Rick Freedman said...


Greg was President of FACDL-Miami in 2000-2001. (His father Harry was our first President in 1963). When I was elected eight years later to the same position, Greg was one of the first to contact me and offer his support and guidance to me. We remained in contact throughout my term and he always made the time for me when I turned to him for advice.

More important, he was a warm and caring person to all who knew him.

Rest in peace Greg.

Rick Freedman

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about Greg Prebish. Such a class act. Went on many ski trips together with FACDL.

HOW DID A YOUNG VIBRANT MAN DIE SO YOUNG?

Anonymous said...

It is important to do exactly what you dream of doing NOW. There is no promise of tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Greg was a great guy. His father was one of the finest defense lawyers ever.

So unfortunate that he was the one in a million to have such bad luck with a simple operation.

bill robinson said...

i shared space with greg on flagler street..he was across the hall...we had great political debates as he was dyed in the wool republican...before he took space..across hall hugh rodman had it to run for senator...greg was full of integrity, man...his dad was cool too..as young prosecutor I knew him as well..God bless u greg..skiing in heaven!!!

phil R said...

I was shocked to read this news. I was not close with Greg but got to know him and his wonderful wife Kim on various Facdl ski trips. I talked with him several times as he prepared to leave Miami and I admired him for he courage to follow his dreams. This is such sad news, but It would have been infinitely sadder if he hadn't taken his shot at happiness

the trialmaster said...

Sounds like a medical malpractice case. The family should look into it. I didnt know Greg very well but his father, Harry was a top notch trial lawyer and was very kind to young lawyers just starting out.

Anonymous said...

Rick Freedman always looking for self-promotion, even in the face of another man's death. Real piece of work.
Yes, Rick, we all remember you were President once.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:

Your next County Court Judge, earning a salary of just under $140,000 a year, will come from among this group of attorneys. They will be interviewed by the JNC and up to six names will be sent to the Governor's office:

Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015

10:40-11:00 Laura Ann Stuzin
11:00-11:20 Christopher A. Green
11:20-11:40 David Alschuler
11:40-12:00 Carlos L. Fernandez
12:15-12:35 Diana Vizcaino
12:40-1:00 Julie Harris Terry
1:00-1:20 Jonathan Meltz
2:00-2:20 Adriana Collado Hudak
2:20-2:40 Steven Lieberman
2:40-3:00 Gordon Charles Murray
3:30-3:50 Thomas Aquinas Cobitz

Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015.

10:40-11:00 Elijah A. Levitt
11:00-11:20 Erik M. Vieira
11:20-11:40 Scott M. Janowitz
11:40-12:00 Karl S.H. Brown
12:15-12:35 Gena Beovides
12:40-1:00 Ansley B. Peacock
1:00-1:20 Peter S. Heller
2:00-2:20 Griska Mena Rodriguez
2:20-2:40 Sandra J. Millor
2:40-3:00 Lody Jean
3:00-3:20 Scott M. Janowitz
3:20-3:40 Bruce S. Reich

Cap Out .....
Captain4Justice@gmail.com

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...


SO, YOU WANT TO BE A COUNTY COURT JUDGE .....

In case you missed the deadline last month to apply to become a County Court Judge, you have another opportunity.

By virtue of Judge Rudy Ruiz' move to Circuit Court, his County Court seat is now open.

"The 11th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission has been asked to provide Gov. Rick Scott with nominees for the vacancy in the Miami-Dade County Court resulting from the recent appointment of Judge Rodolfo Ruiz to the Circuit Court bench.
All persons interested in applying must deliver a complete application and 10 copies to:

Christine Hernandez-Baldwin, Chair
11th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
c/o Miami Dade State Attorney’s Office
1350 NW 12th Ave.
Miami, FL 33136

The deadline for submitting an application is Jan. 20, 2015, by 5 p.m. EST. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Applications may be downloaded from The Florida Bar's website and the Office of the Governor at www.flgov.com. The inclusion of a photograph is encouraged. Please do not submit three-ring binders.

If you have submitted an application for the vacancies that closed on Dec. 29, 2014, you may deliver a letter requesting that the JNC consider your prior application. You must, however, submit two (2) additional copies of your prior application on or before the deadline set forth above."

Cap Out


Anonymous said...


Rumpole, what are your thoughts on the upcoming US Supreme Court argument Yulee v. THE FLORIDA BAR, where Tampa criminal defense lawyer Lanell Williams-Yulee is challenging on First Amendment grounds, Canon 7C(1) of the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct, which bars judicial candidates from soliciting campaign contributions?

Anonymous said...

7:27:00......grossly unfair comment about Rick. Rick and I have had our differences, but he's a decent guy. He commented on his prior position to put his comment in context. Nothing wrong with that. He didn't deserve your nasty rebuke. Your comment did far more to take away from Greg's death and the nice experiences people had with them than Rick's did. Chill out.

BTDT

Scott Saul said...

7:27 am

I greatly disagree with your disparaging remark about Rick Freedman. He was just illustrating his connection with Greg and there was nothing self-serving about his post . You epitomize the cannabalizing, backstabbing, envious lawyer that mars our profession's reputation.

By the way, when I first went into private practice, I worked some cases with him and he was a consummate professional and gentleman. Since I'm a hippy trapped in a conservative -looking body, I greatly respected Greg's move to Jackson Hole. I wish I had the wherewithal to make such a bucket list move.

This post should pay respects to a missed colleague, not taking cheap shots over petty bullshit.

Anonymous said...

Scott

Rick is a self promoter and i feel also like his post was meant, in part, to self promote

Anonymous said...


Greg was such a nice guy. He always had a smile on his face and I was so happy for him when he picked up and lived his dream and moved to Jackson Hole. He always gave so much of his time to others and I have no doubt he is skiing in heaven right now.

Anonymous said...

I really don't think it is disrespectful for someone to post on a separate subject.

Anonymous said...

I'm in trial in Broward this week. Any early word on the new judges?

Anonymous said...

Aaaaaaaah

Anonymous said...

Greg was a great guy with a sweetheart of a wife in Kim. It is really sad to hear of his untimely passing and another wake up call to enjoy life while you can. RIP Greg ... I'm sure that you are skiing on fresh powder in heaven.