Staff Writer
Assisted in prosecuting drug cartel founder
A career spanning nearly 40 years in the practice of law, which included prosecution of former baseball star Denny McLain on racketeering charges and Carlos Lehder, founder of the Colombian Medellin drug cartel, was recognized Thursday.
Senior Deputy General Counsel for the City of Jacksonville Ernst Mueller was honored with the Justice Raymond Ehrlich Trial Advocacy Award at the 2010 Ehrlich Nimmons Trial Advocacy Seminar at the Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse in front of an audience of about 75 people.
Mueller has continued to practice law after recently being diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
“In the face of this diagnosis, he has been a picture of courage and dedication,” said Jacksonville General Counsel Rick Mullaney, who nominated Mueller.
“You have chosen the path of dedication ... to your profession, to your family and your community,” said Mullaney.
Worldwide, ALS occurs in one to three people per 100,000, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is a neurological disease that often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in an arm or leg, or with slurring of speech.
“The Office of General Counsel has been a wonderful place to work and the U.S. Attorney’s Office before that,” said Mueller. “Putting in long hours has always been fun. My wife Nancy has been a great support to me.”
Before serving in the city’s General Counsel’s Office, where he rose to lead the general litigation department, Mueller served as a federal prosecutor for 21 years. During that time he prosecuted some of the more memorable cases of his career, which included the McLain and Lehder cases. Mueller handled the grand jury investigation, indictment against and extradition request for Lehder. He was one of the prosecutors who traveled to Colombia to convince the government to grant extradition.
Mueller recently relinquished his position as head of the general litigation department in order to complete pending litigation in anticipation of retirement planned for 2011.
He may have some significant professional credentials, but they are not what sets him apart as an attorney, according to Mullaney.
“What truly sets Mr. Mueller apart, however, are his personal qualities,” said Mullaney. “The lawyers in the General Counsel’s Office, and those in the Bar, will tell you of Mr. Mueller’s extraordinary professionalism, ethics and character. His work ethic has set the standard for the General Counsel’s Office.”
These qualities are included in the criteria used to judge nominees for the Justice Raymond Ehrlich Trial Advocacy Award. The Award Committee evaluates applicants based on the qualities that made Justice Ehrlich a role model. These qualities include: steadfast obedience to ethics; thorough preparation; respect to all participants in the legal system; always even-tempered; aggressive advocacy; professionalism; driven by what is right, not by fees or billable hours; discerning; scholarship; mentorship; and willing assistance to those in need. The award was first given in 2003 to James Cobb.
Mueller received his undergraduate degree in international relations from Lehigh University in 1964 and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Florida in 1966. He graduated from Duke University School of Law in 1972, where he was a member of the editorial board of the Duke Law Journal.
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