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.

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

HERALD SLAMS ZILBER

 In a positively Rumpolian editorial, the Miami Herald (who we suspect may just be reading this blog) "slammed" Judge Zilber and called for the Florida Supreme Court to "slam" Judge Zilber.  The Editorial is here.  

The "Tiger Slam" in golf is winning all four major tournaments consecutively, albeit over two years.  The "Zilber-Slam" shall be forever known as getting slammed by the JQC, Rumpole, and The Miami Herald, in that order.  Not to be confused with the "Full Ginsberg", which is media speak for appearing on all the Sunday morning nationwide news talk shows in one morning including Meet the Press, Face the Nation, The Week On ABC,  (Trump's) Fox News Sunday, and the Late Edition on CNN. The term is so named after attorney William H Ginsburg, who accomplished it on February 1, 1998, while defending one Monica Lewinsky. 

From the Herald Slam: 

Here’s one more achievement for Martin Zilber’s scrapbook: The Miami-Dade Circuit judge is facing a 60-day suspension and $30,000 fine for routinely skipping work, ordering his staff to run personal errands for him and, yes, having a staffer assemble a scrapbook of his achievements. 

(ouch)

...

In addition to being in charge of the judge’s calendar and running his office, this beleaguered woman also was forced to work on the scrapbook. Once, according to the JQC, he asked this pregnant assistant to wheel his chair up “several floors to the courtroom and then lift it onto the dais prior to hearings.”

We can only hope the judge wasn’t seated in the chair when he made her do this.

(Yowza! What a shot! We are seriously jealous of whomever wrote that Zilber-Zinger). 

...And once the coronavirus pandemic hit, he hit the road — to Malibu, California, for a week.

Well as they say in the Media, "This story has legs"- just not the ones attached to a certain formerly pregnant JA. 

In all seriousness, the pompousness of the Judge's behavior and his  treatment of his staff speaks volumes and is what is fueling this story we believe. Judges -especially during the pandemic- just don't have a lot to do at times. At other times, despite what this blog sometimes implies, they work very long and hard, slogging through trial after trial, separating the legal wheat from the inadmissible chafe.  

So the Judge not being in Court is no big deal to us. But we think the insight into his character by the way he has been reported to treat his staff- ordering them to run personal errands, driving him around as is he is some celebrity,  creating some ego-driven scrap book, moving furniture for goodness sakes- all of this speaks to a person with a big ego who thinks they are special. The best judges we know are the ones who know they are not special. The judges who truly act on the belief that they are privileged to hold their position. We see these judges- the ones who are in their chambers brewing coffee for their jurors and the lawyers; the ones who are photocopying cases and doing whatever needs to be done to move a calendar and a case. This is what is so offensive about the reported conduct, and this is what is giving the story the "legs" we are talking about. 

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Enough with this bs story. His JA is seeking revenge. There's nothing more here. Can we get back to talking about worthwhile issues?

Anonymous said...

Sure thing, Marty.

Anonymous said...

I once saw Judge Zilber walk away from a ceremony at the new Children’s Courthouse and sit down to help a hysterical woman. All the bailiffs were shooing her away because she was disturbing the ceremony. He calmed her down and helped her figure out how to find her minor child who had gotten arrested. He May not have the best way of dealing with staff, but he left a photo opp to help a woman, only because no one else was.

Anonymous said...

He was a pompous, self-entitled bore when in criminal; the guy obviously had zero experience in criminal/trial arena and displayed no humility. Good riddance when he left the criminal court house and good riddance during his suspension. Let's see Daddy's $$$ get you out of this pickle.

Anonymous said...

Judge Zilber is in this profession for all the right reasons. He fights for the underprivileged. He is fair. He is thorough. He's a good father, husband, son and friend.


Anonymous said...

Judge Zilber is in this profession for all the right reasons. He fights for the underprivileged. He is fair. He is thorough. He's a good father, husband, son and friend.

Anonymous said...

this is yet another one-sided Herald story with complete disregard for the true facts -- a disgruntled employee on the brink of being fired. it is unfortunate and Judge Zilber is undeserving of this attack.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...


The Captain Reports:

COVID-19 ADVISORY #81

SELF-MONITORING NOTICE

An individual who worked in the locations and dates listed below has tested positive for COVID-19.

Persons identified as having been in close proximity to the confirmed individual are being notified and will be asked to take all necessary precautions.

Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, 175 NW 1st Ave.:
Room 2732 on 4/5 – 4/9, 2021
Room 2739 on 4/9/2021
Room 2748 on 4/5 – 4/9, 2021
Room 2752 on 4/5 – 4/9, 2021

Last date worked onsite: April 9, 2021


Persons who were in this location recently should follow self-monitoring steps for the next 14 days as outlined in the Centers for Disease Control website at:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/public-health-recommendations.html

Cap Out .....

Anonymous said...

Have we heard from anyone other than this JA who is clearly upset she was let go? She was reported way before she was let go and then goes running into the arms of lunatic Bruce Jacobs who openly said he drafted the complaint against zilber bc he believed zilber targeted his clients. The same Jacobs that had been sanctioned by a Third District multiple times, the same Jacobs that just recently gratuitously went after judge michael hanzman and the same Jacobs who's going to face trial at the end of this month for all of this. I know his Bailiff bill and the guy was awesome and you dont hear him say anything here. And bill truly has nothing to lose at this point in talking if this was all true relating to his ja bc he's RETIRED now. Give me a judge that doesn't "make me coffee" or "make me photocopies" but has one of the best statistics for moving cases (and moving his colleagues cases) and I'll buy my own damn coffee st Starbucks. Give me a break with this already.

Anonymous said...

This is a story. How on earth can he keep this job after he admitted falsifying official documents? Ask Jackie Schwartz about that.

I had cases in his court when he was with us and he was a complete bafoon.

Anonymous said...

https://www.google.com/amp/s/abcnews4.com/amp/news/nation-world/project-veritas-says-it-caught-cnn-staffer-admitting-network-pushed-anti-trump-propaganda

Anonymous said...

Poster Child for judicial appointments.

Anonymous said...

Zilber is not the worst offender. The circumstances warrant a broader investigation by the JQC, AG’s office or even a legislative committee. Lets look at why those responsible for supervising the judiciary, i.e. Chief and Administrative Judges, were derelict and did not document or address the absences. Why Zilber’s backup judges went with the flow, and did not report the absences. How can the Chief Judge, Administrative Judge and backup Judges not know about a particular Judge's extensive absence or absences. How do they explain their ignoring their ethical obligations under the Judicial Cannons or rules administration. There are more egregious situations than Zilber's. How do or will they explain concealing a judges extended absence and not reporting it, and allowing the judge to receive full compensations for an extended absence or absences. Perhaps a referral to the JQC, the AG or others will expose a lot more than Ziber's transgression.

Anonymous said...

I don't understand all this bashing of the JA and Bruce Jacobs. Yes she and Jacobs are disgruntled but is she telling the truth? Obviously she is. How do we know this? Because Zilber signed a stipulation admitting to everything you are reading about him. EVERYTHING! Why does her motivation matter? Maybe she was disgruntled because of all the things Zilber admitted he did to her. I suggest Zilber, his family and Judge Diaz stop blogging and get back to work.

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Anonymous said...

Two Pregnant Women and a Judge Moving sounds better.

Anonymous said...

I think judges should be treated like adults. If the guy wants to work from North Korea, who cares as long as he is moving cases and entering rulings.

Dishonesty however, that does deserve punishment.

Anonymous said...

Judge Zilber's career is over. No way the Supreme Court will slap the wrist of a judge who has admitted to falsifying official court documents. Nevermind the mistreatment of his staff and his excessive absences. I think the crux of his dilemma here is that he admitted to falsifying court documents by writing he had 3 "special set hearings" while in Malibu, when in reality he was at social functions such as a Cuban American Bar Association luncheon and a town hall meeting.
Why didn't Judge Zilber just write he had a Cuban Bar Association luncheon? Why did he have to lie on official court documents.
If a Judge lies on something so simple as that, how can the people of this community and state have any confidence in Judge zilber and the judiciary?
Embarrassing and shameful.

Anonymous said...

I am a judge in this circuit and what you say about the admin judges is 1,000% true

Rumpole said...

I just reread the post. What did I say about admin judges ? I don’t see it.

Concerned Citizen said...

I only had a few cases in front of Judge Zilber but he always treated me well and ran an effecient courtroom. When he was in the building most of the defense bar approved of his performance. Many lawyers posted compliments about him on this blog. What he did was wrong and now he has to pay a price. The only question left is how severe should the punishment be?

This situation reminds me somewhat of Judge Contini in Broward who resigned from the bench and agreed to be disbared for 5 years in a case where falsifying records was alledged. I would be stunned if the Supreme Court accepted the JQC recomendations allowed him to continue on the bench.

Anonymous said...

Rump, I think the comment referred to 11:15’s comment, not your post.

Anonymous said...

I know this will stir “healthy” debate on both sides, but does anyone really think that if the judge who did these things was Black, there would be any chance he/she would not be removed from office? C’mon, folks, let’s keep it real

Anonymous said...

"Judge who abruptly resigned is accused of creating 'contrived dockets' to take time off" https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/judge_who_abruptly_resigned_is_accused_of_creating_contrived_dockets_to_tak

Contini was far worse which is why he was disbarred after resigning. But a lot of overlap with Zilber. This no bueno for Marty. Pack your bags little buddy!

Anonymous said...

11:53 PM - Do you think a black judge has a greater chance to be removed because s/he is black? I don't think so.

Anonymous said...

"An efficient courtroom"? Often his courtroom would be so packed that defendants and lawyers would have to wait in the hall. Being a APD with cases in front of him was always difficult due to his courtroom management style.

Long gone should be the days of commenting on the timing of a woman's pregnancy. Good riddance. No "justice" was done in that courtroom with him on the bench.

Anonymous said...

Zilber is a pompous prick. Flashy dude. More interested in his designer glasses, shoes and peacock colors. Has treated litigants and lawyers (more seasoned and experienced than he’ll ever be) with disrespect, sarcasm, impatience, and overall a holier than thou attitude. Unfortunately, none of these things will get him removed. But hopefully being a liar, cheater, and falsifier, not to mention a sexist pig, will. Good riddance peacock!

Anonymous said...

11.15's comment deserves careful attention by those who oversee the judges. While each judge is very autonomous, being reminded that they are supposed to be on duty from "8 to 5," as Ch J Soto told the Herald, should be done as often as necessary. During Covid, it is likely that the admin/chief judge/ others who work in the court system took for granted that each judge would do as much as possible to keep their calendar moving.
On another point: I have no experience with J Zilber, but knew that he came on the bench as a civil practitioner with (probably) no criminal experience. We also see, thanks to Gov de Santis's appointments of prosecutors, many new judges on the civil bench with zero civil experience. You should see the eye-rolling in hearings before those no-doubt well-meaning newbies who are clueless about the civil rules and case law.

Anonymous said...

11:40 am - no greater chance than a young unarmed man has of being killed by the police because he’s Black - if you get my drift ...

Anonymous said...

Agree with 10:29 completely.

Anonymous said...

Zilber's former JA ain't letting this rest. She's out for blood.

https://efactssc-public.flcourts.org/casedocuments/2021/526/2021-526_motion_123907_m17.pdf

Anyone made a REQUEST FOR REFERRAT before?

Anonymous said...

Let this be a warning to all abusive judges that JA's and Bailiff's will not take the abuse anymore. This ended with the Zilber abuse.


So many abuses. Even Gordo needs to check herself. All of her 6 previous JAs are considering Zilbering her. Judge L. Martinez is likely in trouble too for her blacklisting and other practices. BTW Bruce Jacobs es un cojonudo.

Anonymous said...

Those of you complaining about the Governor's judicial appointments are ignorant! Zilber took the bench when he was elected by the people of Miami Dade County. He was not a judicial appointment!

Anonymous said...

Instead of talking about lazy JA’s and bailiffs, let’s talk about judge Sarduy having to watch out for zilbering staff (and I don’t mean his Ja), why would judge Mirabal leave judge Alvarez-Zane’s seat when running (maybe that is why judge Abreu is upset) and why would judge Nunez and judge Perkins mysteriously jump out of judge Alvarez-zane’s group in 2018. I would love to hear about that!

Anonymous said...

we have a lot of judges who are simply disrespectful to their staff. take a poll.

Anonymous said...

10:29. I agree with everything you said and he needs to serve prison time sans his props (designer labeled clown outfits, his Porsche, etc..) to support his pseudo belief of superiority.
Let’s see if Daddy’s money can get you out of this pickle Marty! A prick to the 10th power. An absolute DISGRACE to the USA!