Wednesday, April 04, 2012

RIP Barbara Medina


Very very sad -- Barbara Medina (Judge Altonaga's court reporter) passed away today after being diagnosed with cancer two weeks ago. Services are tomorrow at Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapels, 20955 Biscayne Blvd, Aventura, FL 33180

I am going to miss her.  She was always very understanding and listened to the lawyers before and after court.  She also told it like it was and didn't hold back how she felt about a particular case, witness or argument.  There was no better jury consultant during trial...  She was the court reporter in my very first trial, back when she was with Judge Graham.  She knew a hell of a lot more about trying cases than I did.   

Damn, very sad. 


13 comments:

  1. Lauren Louis10:37 PM

    what sad news. Barbara had a great sense of humor and of compasion. Nice tribute David, I agree Barbara knew more about juries than most of us. I will miss her.

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  2. Anonymous10:56 PM

    great ruling by Judge Williams. i love when frauds fall from grace and they need to be punished accordingly. http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/04/04/2730028/miami-federal-judge-to-sentence.html

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  3. Anonymous11:16 PM

    when injustice is allowed to exist we will all eventually become victimized! http://www.dailybusinessreview.com/PubArticleDBR.jsp?id=1202547520852&Federal_discovery_reform_sought_in_wake_of_botched_Stevens_case

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  4. Anonymous8:06 AM

    Wow. Just learned about Barbara's passing from the blog. She was the best. Like the great boxing referee who is never seen on the television screen during the fight, you never heard a word from her during the trial testimony. Great person to commiserate with during breaks. She will be missed indeed.

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  5. Andy Doyle, Washington, DC11:54 AM

    I am very saddened by this news. I learned a lot from Barbara and enjoyed getting to know her during trial. Thank you for informing the public about this loss(especially for those of us who reside outside of South Florida, but yet want to know what is happening with the court family).

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  6. Bob Becerra12:36 PM

    Shocked, dumbfounded, saddened...she was nice, attentive, and always remembered your name (even if during trial you didn't remember your own). A real loss to the Court and I will miss her. Our hold on life is often very tenuous and one must make the best of what we have and who we love.

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  7. Very very sad -- well said.

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  8. Theresa van vliet5:15 PM

    A lovely witty and tremendous lady. She will be missed by all who had the honor and pleasure of being in HER courtrooms over the years.

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  9. Barbara was one of my favorite court reporters. Smart, witty and insightful. A tremendous loss to the SDFL. I will miss her.

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  10. Anonymous6:50 PM

    Barbara was simply one of the best. She was an integral part of the federal legal community, and she helped make Miami a unique, fun, and funny place to practice law. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, in particular Allan, who is a prosecutor in Washington, D.C.

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  11. I just saw this, and I'm shocked. I was in front of Altonaga, not too long ago, and commiserated with Barbara during a long break. I had no idea that she was ill.

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  12. I just saw this after being out of town for a few days. In a recent trial before Judge Altonaga, I was extremely appreciative of Ms. Medina's comments and "constructive criticism." She was a class act and will be missed by many. Condolences to her family and Judge Altonaga.

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  13. Forrest3:31 AM

    To the Medina family, Mrs. Medina was a great mother to her children and to many of the boys from Liberty City and Overtown.
    This is a very sad day for me and will be for others as the passing of Mrs. Medina spread over Miami Liberty City and Overtown.
    To Coach Alex Medina and children may God be with you during this period of beeravement, your wife and mother was a super lady and we will truly miss her.
    Mrs. Medina we loved you and most importantly respected you for all you have done here on earth, your work is done and may God continue to bless you. RIP, Mrs. Medina.

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