Defense attorney Clinton Pitts has passed away.
This is breaking news.
The initial thoughts that come to mind when thinking about Clinton are "gentleman" and a fantastic lawyer who genuinely, truly cared about his clients.
The second that comes to mind with thinking about Clinton was that he was a man who cared about his looks. He dressed for success. This isn't a flippant comment or observation. Certain members of our profession have style, and Clinton was one of them. And as a superb trial lawyer, Clinton knew- as we all do- that jurors form impressions from the moment they walk into a courtroom and look at the participants. And Clinton gave the impression of a successful lawyer. But of course, an impression isn't enough. You have to walk the walk and Clinton could do that. He routinely handled the most difficult and serious death penalty cases, and he did his job supremely well.
Please post your comments and memories about one of the best attorneys in our profession, and one of the best men you could ever have the pleasure of meeting.
When you see something that is not right, not fair, find a way to get in the way and cause trouble. Congressman John Lewis
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Tuesday, August 14, 2018
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19 comments:
In his time he was a hell of a lawyer. We lost another icon of the court house RIP
A fine gentleman with an infectious smile and a wonderful manner. Rest In Peace kind soul.
I first met him when I started my career as an A.P.D. in Juvenile Court and immediately recognized him as one of the top attorneys in town. There was a whole different feeling when he walked into the ratty juvenile courtrooms, and he served as a fine example to all the fledgling attorneys in the building. He didn't really have to do juvenile cases but seemed to really care about the kids he was representing and their families. I think he was a school teacher before becoming an attorney.
The Godfather of soul was James Brown. But The Godfather of the Metro justice building was Clinton Pitts.
He had a warm, larger than life presence and just glowed with charisma. He will be missed.
Every Judge NEEDED the endorsement of Clinton Pitts and Larry Handfield. Two greats.
A fine man and a great lawyer hell be missed
I saw him recently and he looked great! What happened?
Clinton was an excellent attorney and a gentleman. Fought hard for his clients but not abrasive. Clinton was respected and well liked by everyone. A loss to the community and the Justice Building. RIP
Clinton and I began trying DUI cases back in the 70's in the era of Judge Koo, Judge Calvin Mapp, JUDGE James S. Rainwater and a cast of other characters. He was a young PD and I was a young ASA. We litigated the shit out of our cases and grew as trial lawyers. We developed a friendship th has laste0d [-p;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;all these years. A consumate gentleman and a fine trial lawyer, he was probably one of the more underrated trial lawyers, only because he was so humble. Arrogance was not Clint Pitts. I will miss him. I hate getting old because I am seeing so many brothers and sisters I have worked with in the court system passing on.
Clinton originally failed the bar on his first attempt. I advised him it was not a big deal and get back to studying which he did and he aced it on his second try. He was always a delight to talk to and would light up any room or hallway he was in. A truly great guy and a super trial lawyer who always had difficult cases to try. When I last saw him at the building I believe he said he was enjoying life on his Mississippi farm and he looked as always, extremely healthy and of course was smiling and always greeted me (and others) as long time close friends. I am truly saddened and shocked by his loss. He was one of the first PDs who turned around the Office when Phil came in and started to try as many cases as could to a jury. Clinton was truly one of a kind and he will be missed by me and countless others who were fortunate enough to cross his path. May his family find comfort and may my good friend rest in peace.
A huge loss. Clinton was a true mensch who really cared about his clients. RIP.
Stephen Talpins
I only knew him from afar but it is no nice to see these tributes.
I consider Clinton Pitts a mentor. He was always generous with his time, knowledge and insights. I learned so much from this warm and kind man. He will be missed.
What a time to remind people that such a great man failed at something. It’s hard to believe that you could be from that era and still be so full of yourself. As if there is some patent on being a good trial lawyer... Clinton was a nice man and always went out of his way to be nice to people. Maybe you should learn from his humility although I would guess that time has passed you by.
I had the pleasure of working with Clinton on murder cases where we represented co-defendants. He always brought a smile to my face. He was always happy, upbeat, positive about the case. Judges respected and listened to him. So did prosecutors. He was class personified and he was the type of lawyer that other lawyers-myself included- knew we could rely upon when things got rough.
I'm going to miss him. There is a talent drain going on at our courthouse. It's a natural evolution I guess. The lawyers who made Miami known for having the best litigators- prosecution and defense-in the nation, from the cocaine cowboys days of the late 70's onward, are retiring and passing away. The next generation is going to have some very big shoes to fill. And in some cases, like Clinton, and Richard Sharpstein, Abe Laeser who retired from the SAO, and David Gilbert who is about to retire, those shoes cannot be filled.
Walking the halls of the courthouse you are always running into people you enjoy talking to.Clinton was one of my favorites. He was the best dressed guy in the courthouse. He always had great stories to tell. Clinton was a great lawyer and had a great way with people. He was so likeable. I will miss him.
We won't see his likes ever again in the INjustice building.
Every now and then I read this blog. Sorry to read about Clinton Pitts. When I started my court reporting agency in 1983, he was one of my first 3 clients. Clinton was such a professional and a gentleman. I never forgot him...RIP
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