When I started as an assistant federal public defender back in 1999, I was assigned to Judge Ungaro's courtroom (back in the Tower building) and tried many cases before her. She always cut through all of the nonsense and taught me (and the other lawyers in front of her) to focus on what mattered. She is extremely smart and has always been a force on the bench. Her independence is her legacy, along with the graciousness of her chambers staff, Kathryn and Bill.
It will be interesting to see the process for filling her seat, which now makes two openings here (the other is Judge Moreno's). I'm hearing lots of names including Melissa Damian Visconti, Michael Sherwin, Michael Caruso, David Leibowitz, Jackie Becerra, and others.
In any event, congrats to Judge Ungaro and thank you for the many years of service to the community!
17 comments:
I remain fond of my appearances before the Court, especially as a newly-minted federal practitioner and young-ish lawyer, and grateful for all the hard, important lessons learned at the knee of Judge Ungaro.
The Court doesn't suffer fools, incompetence meeting with swift rebuke and a disapproving demeanor. Her Honor only had to admonish me once, "If you're not going to make serious objections, then SIT. DOWN." The rebukes at sidebar could be excruciating or titillating or both, whether I was the recipient or merely watching. I often recalled my Roquelaure, during those sidebars.
The Court made me work harder and made me better. The Judge may not have known it, but many appearing before her sought her approval and to please her with our lawyering.
A brilliant mind, tough as nails, a work ethic second to none, high standards, stiletto humor, stiletto heels, sartorial elegance, and ultimately, compassion, if you played your cards wisely.
And who doesn't love Bill?
Thank you, indeed. You are an icon, at least of mine.
-Guest Blogger
South Florida Lawyers
NB Kathryn: you too.
Judge Ungaro also sat on the Eleventh Circuit as a visiting judge. She always asked pointed questions and wrote excellent
opinions. I've enjoyed appearing before her in state and federal courts for many years (even though she doesn't believe in extensions/enlargements of time).
David, David, David
You truly think Biden will pick a white male prosecutor or people who applied to be nominated by Trump? Wake up and check your privilege David. Anyone who applied to Trump is out. Prosecutors are out. It will be one of these judges. Michael Hanzman, William Thomas, Miguel De La O, Martin Zilber, Tanya Brinkley, Peter Lopez, Darryl Traywick. Do you see a pattern David? Jews, Blacks, or Hispanics and no trumpers or prosecutors. It's a new time in America, David.
"Jews, Blacks, or Hispanics" - put another way, almost 90% of the population of Miami-Dade County.
U.S. Census Bureau 2010 Ethnic/Race Demographics:
- Hispanic or Latino of any race: 65.0%
- White (non-Hispanic): 15.4%
- Black (non-Hispanic): 17.1%
(I couldn't find a number for Jewish people that made it easy to parse them out of other demographic categories, but with Hispanic and Black combining for 82% of the population, I don't think it's a stretch to bring that number up near 90% once you include in the Jewish population).
I'm no affirmative action supporter, but if at least one of the two open seats isn't filled by "Jews, Blacks, or Hispanics," the thing speaks for itself - system racism is at play. Or at the very least, there is a dangerous disconnect of representation between those in charge and the people.
8:08: any of the names you mentioned would be superior to the ones applying to Trump.
8:08 clearly wanted to list his friends. Like David listed his. I'm hoping that Biden keeps his promise to unify the country by continuing to appoint prosecutors.
As a civil practitioner, I've always appreciated that Judge Ungaro is *prompt* in her rulings. Whether the order is favorable to you or not, a prompt ruling is important to the parties, to the lawyers, and to the court. It can save parties hundreds of thousands of dollars and a lot of stress. Judge Ungaro deserves the highest praise for consistently ruling quickly. I wish her the best as a senior judge.
I’d like to see Will Thomas get the seat and right the prior wrong. What happened to him was disgraceful.
De La O has become one of the most thoughtful land respected judges of all time in Miami. He would be a great choice. Ditto Judge Brinkley who in her shorter time than De La O in circuit has shown herself to be unfailingly polite, hardworking, knowledgeable and very fair.
Of Course my hat is not and never will be in the ring for anything less than the 9th circuit. (Why work in Atlanta when you can chill in California ?” )
Ayana Harris would be great too.
I tried a number of jury trials before Judge Ungaro in both State and later in Federal Court. She was always fair and ran a nice courtroom. She has great judicial temperament, unlike some like Martinez. She also had the intelligence to wait until after the election to go Senior. Always enjoined her Courtroom Deputy, Catherine for her sense of humor. I wish her well in her travels.
David I want to add to your observations about Judge Ungaro with one example of her intellectual prowess. Recently I was involved in a complex civil case that had a number of Daubert challenges that I had to both present and defend. So I pulled up all of Judge Ungaro's prior Daubert rulings. I was surprised by her detailed knowledge on the science and background to each of the challenged expert opinions. She wrote detailed orders on these challenges and showed a clear understanding of the expertise involved and then applied the Daubert analysis to them. I would recommend to anyone involved in a Daubert challenge to pull up her prior orders. They are better than any CLE course on the subject.
Judges de la O and Thomas are both outstanding judges and will be a terrible loss to the circuit court but a super addition to the Southern District.
I must weigh in here having been Judge Ungaro's court reporter for over 28 years of my 36 years with the Court and 45 years of tapping keys on my steno machine. She chose me as her assigned court reporter after my interview with her soon after her confirmation. I soon discovered how lucky I was to work with her. She ran a most efficient courtroom with great intellect, respect, poise, that occasional touch of humor, and consideration for all, including her court reporter. I remember when she once overruled an objection lodged by a defense attorney on the basis of "That's -- that's -- that's gross." Another time a very elderly female prospective juror during voir dire addressed the Judge as "Honey." It's not often one can say their boss is also their close friend. I'm lucky to be able to say that.
when you do something you love, you never work a single day
What happened to Will Thomas and Mary Barzee was a travesty. Both would make excellent picks.
Judge Hanzman is far and above the best choice to go to the Feds. But, since our state bench, especially at 73 West Flagler is so bad, I would hate to lose him to the Feds. William Thomas is very bright but ego driven. If he made it to be a federal Judge his already large ego would explode. Mary would be a good choice. How about David Peckins? He would be a great pick as well.
You mean the best choice fro the current state bench? Biden doesn't have to choose from the minor leagues.
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