The very sad news reached us this morning that one of the giants of our profession- Mel Black - has passed away.
You were not a criminal defense attorney in South Florida for the past nearly sixty years (Mel was a lawyer for 58 years!) without crossing paths with Mel Black. And when you did you came away thinking that he was both as good a lawyer as it gets, and a true gentleman. He was from the generation where a lawyer's word was his bond. He was a lawyer's lawyer- the person you went to with a question or problem - and he always had time for you.
When you tried a case with him on your side you had no worries. It was like walking into a schoolyard fight with your big brother who knew karate. Just wait until the other side saw him in action! And he was just great to work with and watch prepare a case.
Mel was a mentor to young lawyers; admired by all of his colleagues, and a gentleman to all whom crossed his path. The word often used to describe him is mensch. We believe he spent part of his later years on his sailboat sailing the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. He enjoyed life and that was always evident when you spoke with him.
We have lost yet another giant in our profession. We will not soon see his likes again.