Michael R Juviler

Michael Juviler Obituary

1936 - 2017
The Honorable Michael Juviler passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at home in Boca Raton on January 20 after a brief battle with Pancreatic cancer. He was 80 years old.

Michael was born in London in 1936 and proudly became a US citizen in 1945.
With broadly admired legal acumen, humor and intellect, Michael spent his career in public service devoted to the integrity of the institutions of Criminal Justice. He graduated Yale Law School in 1960 and joined the Manhattan District Attorney's office under the legendary Frank Hogan. He tried the music payola cases, helped lead the investigations exposing the quiz show scandals, and as Chief of the Appeals Bureau, advised the DA on the most sensitive cases including organized crime and political corruption.

Michael argued five times in the US Supreme Court and briefed others. He wrote a friend of the Court brief in Terry v Ohio, the stop and frisk case, after which the Court gave him the unusual honor of time to argue as an amicus.

From 1979 until his retirement in 2001, Michael served as a Judge first on the Brooklyn Criminal Court then for 17 years on the State Supreme Court. For the last 18 years, until a month before his death, he served as a revered member on the State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics. He was regarded as among the wisest, most erudite and even-handed of judges.

Over his six decades of service, Michael was a model and mentor to many. His articulate arguments and rigorous respect for the court and law were widely praised and will be greatly missed.

Michael was lucky to meet the love of his life, Barbara Davis in 2001. He retired and they moved to South Florida. A devoted father and a gentle beloved grandfather, Michael shared his lifelong passions for baseball, horse racing and literature with family and friends. His wry humor is legend. A small few will miss his Kabuki performances.

He is survived by Barbara, his children Elizabeth (Tim) and Adam (Christine), his grandchildren JJ, Gavin, Rosie and Luke, his stepdaughter Julie (Jay), and their children, David and Scott .

A memorial service will be held at 3 PM on Sunday, January 29th at the Beth Israel Chapel, 5808 W Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, FL, 33484. Charitable donations may be made in Michael's name to Hospice by the Sea of Palm Beach County, and to Boca Friends for Cancer Research.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times from Jan. 24 to Jan. 25, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Juviler

9 Entries

Crystal and Trey Patterson

Crystal J. Patterson

February 12, 2018

God called home one of His angels that He let us borrow for a while. Deepest condolences to the Juviler family. My ode to my Judge: I'll never forget what you taught me when I worked for you in Part 29. You made such a positive impact in my life as a boss, mentor, and supporter. I carry those life lessons with me to this day. With a smile as I write, I remember the rare times you asked me to deliver your gavel because your pencils' erasers were not bringing order in your courtroom! Not long ago, when I inquired about how to reach you, I learned you were enjoying your retirement in Florida and I was happy. You deserved to be truly happy. You have touched the lives of so many people in such a fair and positive way, that you left us all better than we were before we met you. I thank you for trusting and believing in me --even when I didn't understand my own potential. I am blessed to have known you, and happy that I met your daughter Elizabeth, and your wife Barbara (whom I know you are with now). I have a 15-year-old son named Trey, who I share my greatest life experiences with, and you were the subject of many of those fantastic conversations. I truly hope that those who remained in the court system that were also blessed by the opportunity to see you in your element, are paying homage to you by respecting and upholding the same values and principles that you lived by when fighting for justice for all. Blessings. From the Patterson Family, 535 Carlton Avenue, #704, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Diane Dixon

September 9, 2017

I was a court reporter in Kings County Supreme Court and had the pleasure of working with Judge Juviler on many occasions. I was really sorry when he retired as have I now as well, but I'm just learning of his passing, and it's such devastating news that I had to spend a few minutes to pen this R.I.P. send off. Judge Juviler, your pearls of wisdom will surely be missed.

Leon Polsky

January 27, 2017

As head of the Legal Aid Society Appeals Bureau Michael and I often took opposite legal and bureaucratic positions, including two in the United States Supreme Court. When Michael was being considered for the NYC Criminal Court, I was asked for my views on his qualifications. My comment, with emphasis in the original, was, "There is NO person I have met in my twenty years involvement with the justice system who is more suited by temperament, ability, integrity and human decency to be a judge of a court in this State."

He will be long remembered in the New York legal community as a scholar, advocate, gentleman and friend.

Steve S

January 26, 2017

I had the honor of working for Judge Juviler for a year when he sat at 120 Schermerhorn Street. Presiding over a felony trial part is serious business, and the Judge ran a very tight ship in the courtroom. Nevertheless, he was universally respected by prosecutors, defense attorneys, and court staff alike for his brilliant legal mind, fairness, and rock solid work ethic. Outside of the courtroom, he was a kind and gracious man with a wonderful sense of humor. Although I lost touch with him after he left the court system, I thought of him often and am happy to know that he enjoyed his retirement years surrounded by family and friends. Rest in peace Judge.

Alan Rosenberg

January 26, 2017

I didn't know Judge Juviler very well; I appeared before him a number of times and only tried one case in his courtroom. What I always liked, respected and appreciated about the Judge, however, was the way you needed to be totally prepared and on top of your game when you appeared before him. He was smart, much smarter than most of his colleagues, as well as fair and respectful to all, but he certainly did not suffer fools lightly. He demanded intelligence and clarity and that made it both a challenge and a pleasure to appear before him. I was glad for him that he had 15 years of happily-ever-after following his retirement. RIP.

January 25, 2017

Dear, sweet Michael, RIP. It was so nice knowing you. Barbara will be strong. With love, Toby

January 24, 2017

I am so saddened to learn of the demise of my mentor, supporter and friend, the Honorable Michael Juviler, who had the temerity to hire me as a attorney while still in law school for a position in Counsel's Office of the Office of Court Administration in the newly formed Unified Court System of the State of New York. Hon. Michael Juviler was an amazing teacher, a strong but benevolent task master, and an unparalleled role model. He also had a most quirky sense of humor. Notwithstanding his outstanding professional accomplishments as an attorney and his successful tenure as a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, he remained humble and self-effacing. Although I will miss you and regret that we did not communicate for far too long, the memories of our times together editing briefs, preparing for oral arguments or attending parties will forever be with me. Patricia Polson Satterfield

PHYLLIS

January 24, 2017

My sincere condolences to the family on your loss. May your cherished memories give you comfort. May you take comfort also from God's promise of seeing our loved ones again - John 14:13,14.

Miko

January 24, 2017

Please accept my sincere condolences. May God give you peace,comfort, & hope. Psalms 69:13,16

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results