Judge Ed Davis' longtime courtroom deputy and then Northern Division Manager Michael Beck unexpectedly passed away over the weekend. Mike was a great guy and really funny once you got to know him.
He knew more about the clerk's office and how things ran than anyone I knew.
Most people will remember his booming voice -- he would introduce court for Judge Davis every morning with the traditional OYEZ, OYEZ, OYEZ call. It was really impressive how he did it. So the judges started using him for en banc hearings and the like.
Judge Davis' tight-knit federal family has had a rough go of it the last couple of years. Mike was a big part of that family. He will be missed.
If you have a good Mike Beck story, please remember him in the comments.
The SDFLA Blog is dedicated to providing news and notes regarding federal practice in the Southern District of Florida. The New Times calls the blog "the definitive source on South Florida's federal court system." All tips on court happenings are welcome and will remain anonymous. Please email David Markus at dmarkus@markuslaw.com
9 comments:
Michael was truly one of the best. And you are right -- once you got to know him he had a wry sense of humor and was very funny. Sorry to hear of his sudden passing.
We used to sit together in chambers as he smoked away babysitting the jury. we joked that the scheduling order for sentencing was always done prior to the jury verdict...we also used to go to happy hour on Fridays with the rest of the dc's..those were the days..he was very giving, a great guy and he will be missed. does anyone know about funeral arrangements?
One day, after a particularly heated trial, Judge Davis had us come back to chambers to discuss jury instructions whereupon, to Mike's (and Judge Davis')amusement, the defense attorney and I initially continued our arguments. Mike held up his hand and asked if we'd like a glass of water before we "continued" any further. We said yes, at which point Mike asked if we wanted anything in the water. It was my one and only charge conference done over scotch and water. I always enjoyed Mike who seemed to have an understated but great sense of humor as to all that went on around him.
If I am remembering him correctly, he was always a bit grumpy to new lawyers until you got to know him and then he was a great guy.
I knew Michael, he reminded me of Mr Rogers with his sweater/ vest!
I did get a glimpse of that sense of humor everyone talks about although I didn't know him long or well.to me he was THE mailroom guy.
RIP
Mike Beck defined Courtroom Deputy Clerk. He was helpful, organized and did his best to make sure you were always comfortable in Judge Davis Court. He was another reason that Judge Davis Courtroom was one we all looked forward to practicing in. I saw Mike about a month ago in WPB and had a wonderful chat with him. I am devastated by this loss to the Court system and to those of us who knew him.
I was truly shocked to find out that Michael had passed away. I sang many times for the naturalization ceremony and he was also very happy and pleased with my performance. Michael was also humorous with a sarcastic, but funny disposition. I am so sorry to hear about his passing and will miss his firm, but lightheartedness in the Federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. Howard Cohen
I was shocked to hear about Michael Beck's passing. I was a Star Spangled banner singer for many Naturalization ceremonies that he organized. He was also humorous, with a sarcastic sense of wit. I am no longer in South Florida, but will always remember his firm, but light hearted-ness in the Federal courthouse.
I went to high school with Mike in the 1970s in Iowa. It is wonderful to know that others got to know the dry wit of Mike Beck. He was a superb person who will be missed by all who were privileged to know him.
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