Gregg Toung, a very well liked and respected Assistant Public Defender has passed away. Gregg was a training attorney as well as a lawyer who handled some of the most difficult Jimmy Ryce cases.
We didn't know Gregg, but emails and comments have been flooding in talking about his life and passing from cancer at way too early an age. Some of the comments are below, and we will post more:
Gregg was my training atty when I started in the public defenders office. What a decent and caring man. May he Rest In Peace.
I will miss Gregg. He and I tried many Ryce cases against each other, took may depo trips and had tons of laughs. Gregg was a terrific lawyer but an even better person. His word was his bond.
May his memory be a blessing. My most sincere condolences to his family.
Audrey Frank-Aponte
Gregg Toung has passed away. Most PD's and ex-PD's in the last 15 to 20 years were trained at some point by Gregg. He was a classy, warm, genuine person and loved a good fight as a lawyer. The entire Miami Public Defender community is heartbroken by this news. He handled the hardest cases (Jimmy Ryce and Death Penalty) yet always maintained his gentlemanly demeanor. I really do not know anyone who has anything bad to say about Gregg. He will be truly missed.
Gregg was just the best. A fantastic attorney, great guy, kind, honest, hard-working. He always defended his clients extremely well, and earned the respect of everyone who dealt with him. I am so very sad for his family and friends, this is a terrible loss.
ReplyDeleteGregg was a terrific young man who I came to know when he first started in county court. I spoke with him many times over the years and we worked together on a couple of matters thereafter. He was a terrific lawyer and a better human being, always trying to make others in his office and the profession better. As he was a quiet person who was not the type of person to shamelessly promote himself, many of the members of our organization did not know him. That is truly unfortunate.
ReplyDeleteRIP my friend.
BR
I met Gregg as the supervisor of PDO class'99 in county court. Supervising us was like herding knife wielding cats. I would like to say that he knew ruling with an iron fist would not work, but frankly, I don't think he had it in him. He instead became our friend, supporter, sounding board. At a lunch one day the lawyers decided that the court assignment were all wrong. We all walked into his office with our new plan scrawled out on a napkin and said this is what we need to do. He laughed, and said what kind of employees walk into their supervisors office and tell them how to do the job? Then he sat with us, listened and agreed, not to all, but some of our suggestions. Never once chastising us on our arrogance.
ReplyDeleteIn they years that followed, I moved up to felonies, left to private practice handled all types of cases. Gregg never really stopped being my supervisor. I would call him to bounce things off him, for advise etc. He handled the most difficult cases, Ryce and Death Penalty. Cases most criminal defense lawyers don't come near. But there was no ego, no chest puffing. Salt of the earth, fighter, fearless and giving.
He will be missed. Thoughts are with his family. R.I.P. my friend.
- Carmen M. Vizcaino
Gregg was one of the first APDs I battled with in County Court in the late 1990s. No matter how difficult the case or heated the battle, Gregg was always protecting his client's interests even when they themselves didn't know it. He was a true gentleman who was always a man of his word. RIP.
ReplyDeleteI knew Greg. He is really nice.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about this.
I had many "battles" with Gregg as an ASA in the mid and late 1990s. A fine lawyer, a true professional and always a gentleman with a great sense of humor. His word was his bond.
ReplyDeleteTaken from us far too young. RIP.
A really, really good guy.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant lawyer.
Joe F.
Gregg was a great guy, and a great lawyer. This is awful news, and he'll be truly missed.
ReplyDelete