by Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
Scanning the photographs featured in Holland & Knight’s makeshift memorial to Raymond Ehrlich, it’s no surprise to see the dignified images of the retired Supreme Court Chief Justice cloaked in black robes during his days on the bench.
Less expected were the images of Ehrlich, one of Florida’s most distinguished lawyers and jurists, laughing on the back of a fishing boat, cutting a birthday cake in the shape of Elvis Presley wishing “Happy Birthday Darlin,” or cavorting around a room wearing a crown with an ode to catfish attached.
Ehrlich died Tuesday from complications of pneumonia. He was 87. He rose from a modest upbringing in Crescent City to lead the state’s highest court. His success on the bench was matched by a standout 35-year career as a lawyer. He began his legal career in Jacksonville in 1946, returning with Holland & Knight in 1992 after leaving the court.
Ask any contemporary of Ehrlich to remember the man, and the story will always begin with his skill in the courtroom, whether arguing in front of the bench or presiding behind it.
But, almost without fail, the legal reminiscence will pause as a memory of Ehrlich the man occurs. And the result of that memory is usually laughter.
“He was a wonderful mentor with a delightful sense of humor. He was a good friend to many with a big heart,” said George Gabel, a partner at Holland & Knight.
Ehrlich joined Holland & Knight after state age restrictions forced him to step down from the Supreme Court. Gabel still laughs when he recalls Ehrlich’s explanation.
“The Florida Constitution says you can’t continue serving as a judge past age 70. He used to tell me he was Constitutionally senile,” said Gabel.
Of course the opposite was true. Without exception, the lawyers who worked with Ehrlich describe his arrival at the firm’s 39th-floor office in the Bank of America Building as one of highlights of their careers.
“For those of us at Holland & Knight practicing trial law, our brightest day was when he arrived,” said Buddy Schulz, who focuses on pro bono work with the firm’s Community Service Team. “I had the privilege of working closely with him on many occasions and I learned something new every day and I had fun doing it.”
Judge Alan Schwartz, chief judge of the Third District for 11 consecutive terms spanning 22 years, said he carried equal respect for Ehrlich’s skill as a jurist. Schwartz had to overcome some initial misgivings to reach that opinion. Schwartz was one of the nominees for the Supreme Court seat that Ehrlich assumed.
“Of course I despised him,” said Schwartz, laughing. “But I got to know him very well and his skill was obvious. He wrote great opinions and had a great legal mind.”
Ehrlich was buried next to his wife of 26 years, Miriam Bettman Ehrlich, who died in 2001, Friday at Center Memorial Park cemetery in Jacksonville.