Circuit Judge Tyrie Boyer was a founding member of the Jacksonville chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
That was 1988, a time “when I was actually kind of young,” said Boyer, with a laugh.
Since then he was a county judge, then a circuit judge and has continued to preserve and improve the jury trial system.
Hank Coxe is one of Jacksonville’s most well-known attorneys. His wife, Mary, is a retired lawyer. They’re both at the forefront when it comes to children’s issues, one shining example being their efforts for Cristian Fernandez, who at age 12 was the youngest person charged with first-degree murder in Jacksonville.
Coxe was part of a collection of high-powered attorneys who defended Fernandez. After Fernandez pleaded guilty as a juvenile, Mary Coxe became a staple in his life. She’s visited Fernandez every Saturday since he was incarcerated near Tampa. Fernandez will be released in 2018, when he turns 19.
Trial advocacy issues have been a huge part of Boyer and the Coxes’ lives. Over the weekend, their efforts were recognized at the state level.
The Florida chapter of the trial advocates honored Boyer with its Jurist of the Year award while the Coxes received the Fran Coker Award for community service.
The state comprises 11 chapters and Jacksonville took home half the awards.
“I couldn’t be more flattered,” said Boyer on his recognition.
He deserves it, said attorneys Josh Whitman and Howard Coker, two longstanding members of the local organization.
“He’s always available … always prepared and accessible, always fair and just in his rulings,” said Whitman, a partner with Milton, Leach, Whitman, D’Andrea & Eslinger.
“Exemplary” was the first word that came to mind about Boyer for Coker, a partner with Coker, Schickel, Sorenson, Posgay, Camerlengo & Iracki.
Coker said he’s known Boyer since middle school — more than 50 years ago — and said once the judge becomes involved with something, the dedication is evident. Coker uses Boyer’s efforts establishing rules for pretrial orders as a prime example.
He worked on it with now 1st District Court of Appeal Judge Harvey Jay and the two talked with defense and plaintiff attorneys to come up with a fair, balanced pretrial order that was later adopted by the 4th Circuit.
As for Hank and Mary Coxe, the award they’re receiving is dear to Coker.
It’s named after his late wife, Fran, a children’s literacy advocate who died in a house fire a decade ago. He said she’d be smiling at them winning such an award for their efforts with Fernandez.
“My wife would certainly champion them winning this award,” said Coker.
Hank Coxe said being a part of the effort to help Fernandez was special, but was miniscule compared to what his wife has done the past few years.
“The tears in that room last night were for Mary and her incredible commitment to do what is right and special — following a standard set by Fran Coker,” he said.
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