Sad news reached us that Judge Herbert Klein has passed away.
Judge Klein was a fixture in the REGJB from 1975 when he was appointed by Governor Askew through the end of the 1980's and was well known and liked, and indeed beloved for his sense of humor and wit, kindness and grace. Judge Klein was surely not the type of judge, so in vogue today, who "just called balls and strikes." No. Judge Klein was a judge who cared. He was a Judge who was interested in the lives of the people who appeared before him. As a lawyer, you always knew that your client was going to get a very fair shake when his or her case was before Judge Klein and you also knew that you'd probably leave his court with a smile.
There were several "Judge Kleins" in the 1980's and there was a picture of all them, and Judge Herb Klein stood out for his beaming smile.
We have one memory of Judge Klein that always stayed with us.
When State Attorney Janet Reno was re-elected, she asked Judge Klein to introduce her at the swearing in ceremony. We don't remember the words of his speech, but we remember how he ended it: with a simple declaration: "I LIKE YOU JANET".
For some reason that always resonated with us. Janet Reno of course went on to become a great Attorney General. But she was not always spoken of well in Miami during her tenure. Indeed, she was a bit of lightening rod for criticism. It was popular for Judges, often from the bench, to berate the State Attorneys Office, and Janet Reno. So it was a nice thing to listen to a Judge speak well of Ms. Reno and then end with a simple and heartfelt declaration that he liked her. And Janet Reno beamed when Judge Klein ended his speech and introduced her. It is a small moment in the life and career of a man who through his life's work made Miami a much better place to live. He has been missed since he retired, and men like him- Judges who possess experience and kindness and humor and common sense -can never be replaced. In his death we are reminded of a life well lived and a life to be celebrated.
His on line obituary is here.
His on line obituary is here
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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12 comments:
I remember him most for bond hearings. He was no rubber stamp for the State or police and was very fair to all. His kind face will be missed. RIP dear soul. I liked you Judge Klein.
Wrong Judge Klein dofus. That was Gerry Klein who did all the bond hearings.
Judge Klein was known inseparable from Judge Murray Meyerson. Two greats.
Both Klein's did bond hearings. You sir, are the dofus.
There was also Ed Klein, a great civil judge.
I don't understand the motivation to write a wonderful comment about Judge Klein and then include a trashing of specific sitting judges. Those words don't belong in this thread. If you really did try a lot of cases before Judge Klein and admire him, the remainder of your comment is disrespectful to his memory.
Rumpole:
I'm glad you posted your tribute to Herbert Klein who was of my favorite Judges to practice in front of as a young A.P.D. I checked my records and it turns out I never lost a trial in front of him (only conviction was a Petite Theft on an Armed Robbery charge). He also acquitted my client in one of the few bench trials I've ever done in an adult felony case. He had a wicked sense of humor and always reminded me of Jason Robards. He's from a group of Judges who really cared about the criminal justice system and worked to make it better. Hopefully, he was a model to some of the Judges on the bench now because I can't think of a better one. We'll miss him but he led a good life and left the world a better place.
CK
8:57 pm and 7:42 am, You're both goofs because you don't even know how to spell your sophomoric insult; it's DOOFUS!
Very well said CK and we echo your comments. He did remind us of Jason Robards.
8:57 pm and 7:42 am, you're such athholes
Judge Klein swore me into the bar. Great judge! Decent, smart, just and wise. I was a young A.S.A. assigned to carry Bob Waters files and books when I got the results. Judge Klein didn't know me well but he took the time to make the induction memorable. He was not just a great judge, he was a fantastic human being who lived a full and well rounded life. I'm proud to have known him.
In the past few years, you could always catch Judge Wetherington, Judge Hubbard, and Judge Klein, who were partners in a mediation/arbitration firm, having lunch, sometimes with others, in Coral Gables. Anybody who came by was welcome to sit and say hell. Each of them was and is a wonderful example of the best qualities of being a lawyer and a judge. It is sad to see Judge Klein pass because there does not seem to be a reservoir of substitutes.
In his earlier life, he was the Secretary of the state agency that regulated alcoholic beverages, an interesting diversion from the usual type of secretary. he as honest and hard-working. He will be missed.
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