Remembering Judge Dave Lee Brannon

By Michael Caruso

Yesterday, the Palm Beach-Federal Bar Association hosted a judicial reception that honored and presented the portrait of the late Magistrate Judge Dave Lee Brannon. As most of David's readers know, Judge Brannon had a remarkable career. As a very young man, he served in the United States Coast Guard after graduating from the Academy. During his years in the Coast Guard, his favorite assignment was aboard the USCGC Glacier, an icebreaker that took him to both the North and South Poles. While in the Coast Guard, he attended law school at the University of Miami. His last Coast Guard assignment was with the Seventh Coast Guard District Legal Office and Intelligence Branch in Miami, Florida. He then joined the Southern District of Florida Federal Public Defender's Office in 1986 and served as Supervisor of the West Palm Beach office before being appointed to the bench.

At the Federal Public Defender's office, Judge Brannon had a well-earned reputation for his intelligence, kindness, and graciousness—as a colleague and a judge. Those qualities, among others, were celebrated yesterday by his family, friends, and former colleagues.

First, Chief Judge Altonaga offered introductory remarks that focused on Judge Brannon's service to his country in his different capacities. Judge Middlebrooks then spoke and revealed to the audience his warm affection for Juge Brannon in addition to reading the moving tribute to the judge that the Eleventh Circuit adopted after his passing. 

Judge Brannon's career law clerk, Jessica Rodriguez, then delivered a heartfelt tribute that focused on his mentorship of her and his other clerks—both in law and life. During her remarks, to demonstrate Judge Brannon's generosity and kindness, she played an audio clip of the judge helping her young son learn Japanese. 

Finally, Judge Brannon's wife, Dr. Pamela Brannon, spoke. She shared with us several stories about how they met, a date at the Dade County Fair, an awkward dinner with friends, and a meeting with Justice O'Connor. These stories demonstrated their strong and loving bond as well as Judge Brannon's humanity. 

Dr. Brannon ended her remarks by sharing a quote she found in Judge Brannon's highlighted copy of The Count of Monte Cristo. Of course. After all, the novel revolves around a sailor who was falsely accused, arrested, and imprisoned without trial. 

The quote is worth reproducing here: "the friends that we have lost do not repose in the bosom of the earth, but are buried deep in our hearts, and it has been thus ordained that we may always be accompanied by them."

Truth. Rest in Peace Dave.