We knew Judge Kreeger having infrequently appeared before her. We remember a Judge fully prepared, well versed in the law who carefully listened to both sides and then issued her ruling. Doesn't seem like a lot to ask, and yet...
As another judge recently remarked to us, "She was professional but did not suffer fools lightly."
From the CJ's letter:
It is with a heavy heart that I share the sad news of the passing of Judge Judith L. Kreeger, a cherished member of our judicial community and a retired colleague whose impact on our court and on families across our state and nation will be remembered for generations.
Judge Kreeger devoted 17 and a half years of distinguished service as a Circuit Judge in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, most of that time in the Family Division. Her extensive legal knowledge and dedication to children and families set a standard for excellence and compassion that continues to shape the culture of our family courts.
She served in our court family from 1993 to 2009, and after retirement, she continued to serve as a Senior Circuit Judge, always offering her knowledge, her mentorship, and her tireless service to our circuit and our community.
Judge Kreeger’s contributions extend beyond Miami-Dade County, as she was one of four judges in the International Hague Network of Judges, contributing to international guidelines that help protect children in cross border abduction cases. She educated judges around the world, participating in Hague workshops, Malta Conferences, and the Special Commission meetings. Her leadership helped strengthen judicial communication globally and expanded the reach of the 1980 Hague Convention.
Here at home, she served on the Florida Supreme Court’s Steering Committee on Children and Families in the Courts, chairing subcommittees that improved access, case management, and the experience of self represented litigants. Through countless judicial and legal education programs—statewide, national, and international—she guided lawyers, judges, and scholars in understanding family law with both rigor and heart.
Judge Kreeger was also an author, a certified family law mediator, and the recipient of numerous honors, including the Community Service Award from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and Jurist of the Year from the Florida Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
We will always remember her for her keen legal intellect and her deep compassion for the families who entered our courts. She was a teacher, a colleague, a mentor, and a friend to so many.
11 comments:
Judy was a dear friend ---we met in the early 80s when she and Julian practiced law at the Alfred DuPont Bldg. They "adopted" me into the Friends Of Kreegers circle, and for the next four decades shared many social events, elections, marriages.....then losses.
She was always cheerful and when elected to the Court, applied her indefatigable energy to her work, locally and internationally.
It is very difficult to capture a person's essence in a few sentences, or to convey it to a larger audience. Hopefully, you have had a friend such as Judy and Julian in your life....if so, you will always smile when you remember them.
My deepest condolences to her beautiful family and many friends.
May her memory be a blessing to all who knew her.
Rumpole, was this the same judge known as Judge Kreeger-Martin? The judge I am thinking about was in county court for most of her service.
ABSOLUTELY NOT. TWO DIFFERENT JUDGES.
Thank you Judge for this. Truly wonderful memories showing a different side to your friend and colleague. And the reference to the DuPont building brought a smile. So many lawyers had offices there.
Man, how soon institutional memory is lost. Luise Krieger-Martin was elected to the County Court in 2000 and served very competently for over 22 years. She is the late Albert Krieger's youngest daughter. Luise currently leads yoga classes at Bodha Yoga near the Falls. She is amazing.
I could not say it better than my dear friend Gisella Cardonne Ely has so eloquently stated in her post.. Judge Kreeger was one of those folks who served the judiciary in a quiet, dignified fashion. Yet, she was an amazing lady with a curriculum vitae that still puts her head and shoulders above the rest.
Wannabe Captain Justice says to 10:12.
You are thinking of Luise Krieger-Martin. She was a County Court Judge for 22 years before retiring at the end of 2022. You may have heard of her father. Albert Krieger.
Some old timers like Ted and Jay may recall Robert "Bobby" Haggard who was a "trial dawg" for Paul Polluck in the 70s and 80s had passed away recently/ He was a little blond headed with boyish features that juries loved. I recall trying a rape case with him where 2 ex-cons had just gotten out of Raiford and raped another Con's wife while he was still incarcerated. I knew one of the female jurors and Bobby thought he was getting good looks from her. I told him she was conservative and dating a pilot. Of course, the jury convicted both in 20 minutes. Bobby felt worse that his ego was bruised than for the convicted client of his. He also was involved in the Bundy trial before the great late Ed Cowart in a minor role since he had gone to law school at FSU. I heard in his later years he married into the Hoover vacuum cleaner family with his wife who was a Hoover. I think her name was Lacy Hoover.
Nice post about her judicial career. My recollection of her was that she was a Renaissance type of woman. She was a collector of original classical music recordings. Unfortunately, her type is rare today in all levels of the judiciary.
Appeared before Judge Kreeger one time in a case where my client was being held in jail for not paying child support. Hearing was on whether client could afford the purge. Endured 45 minutes of testimony from the ex-spouse about what a lousy person my client was. Before I could cross-examine, Judge Kreeger leaned over the bench and said to my opposing counsel: "Counselor, zebras don't marry giraffes." And granted my motion to release. She had seen it all, and she knew. Hell of a judge.
That was a wonderful story, and exactly fits my memories of Judge Kreeger. I'm not sure I ever had a case before her, but I was acquainted with her, and of course admired her kindness, wit, and high intelligence. Appreciate the comments!
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