Theodore Klein

KLEIN, THEODORE (TED), 66, a United States Federal Magistrate Judge, law professor and long time Miami Attorney passed away Wednesday, September 27, 2006. The cause of death was pulmonary fibrosis. Judge Klein was a prominent member of the Florida legal community for over forty years. He was known for his sharp intelligence, high ethical standards, his quick wit and his deep commitment to friends and family. Judge Klein was born in Czechoslovakia. In 1940, his parents, Rabbi Maurice and Sara Klein took six month old Ted and his two year old sister, Miriam on a seven month arduous and dangerous journey to escape Nazi controlled Europe. The family reached Lisbon, Portugal where they booked passage to the United States on the second to the last refugee ship leaving that port. The Klein family resided in Cleveland, Ohio until 1957 when they moved to Miami. Judge Klein earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Miami where he was treasurer of the Student Government and a member of the Iron Arrow Society. He received his JD from the University of Miami School of Law where he graduated Cum Laude. He was Associate Editor of the Law Review in his senior year. In 1967 he attended Yale University School of Law where he earned an LLM. Klein began his legal career as prosecutor in the United States Attorney's office in Miami. In 1970 he joined the law firm of Fine, Jacobson, Schwartz, Nash & Block. He was with the firm until 1995 practicing primarily in the areas of criminal defense and complex litigation. In 1995 he became a partner in Bierman Shohat Loewy & Klein. He was there until his appointment as a Federal Magistrate Judge in 2003. During his 42 year legal career, Judge Klein participated in numerous high profile cases. Judge Klein believed deeply that the law should be an agent of social justice and a protector of individual rights. Two cases stand out in Judge Klein's career. He was part of the team that was successfully secured the reversal of the conviction of Pitts and Lee, two men in North Florida who were wrongly convicted of a murder they did not commit. In 1983 he successfully argued a precedent setting case before the United States Supreme Court. Florida v. Royer is now a landmark decision dealing with illegal search and the protection of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Both of these important cases were done on a Pro Bono basis. As a Federal Magistrate, Klein found a renewed love for the intellectual challenge and discourse of the complexity of the law. He admired and enjoyed his interaction with his colleagues on the Federal bench. His passion for the law extended to a love of shaping legal minds of the future. Klein was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Miami School of Law for over 35 years. Many of Miami's most prominent attorneys and judges were students of Judge Klein. He served in a leadership capacity in numerous local and statewide legal organizations. Klein served on the Board of Governors of the Florida Bar; he was President of the Florida Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, President of the Miami Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and President of University of Miami Law Alumni Association. Ted had a passion for life. He loved the outdoors and was an avid jogger, hiker and skier. He was a enthusiastic supporter of the Miami City Ballet. His writing skills and intellect were recognized by others outside the profession of law. He was frequently invited to be a guest book reviewer f or the Miami Herald. Predeceased by his father, Rabbi Maurice Klein, Judge Klein is survived by his mother, Sara Klein of Miami Beach, his two children of whom he was very proud, daughter, Jennifer Klein (Jim Berger), a professor of history at Yale University; son, Andy Klein (Hazel Lamond), a psychologist in Miami; sister, Dr. Miriam Klein Kassenoff; brother, Hank Klein (Lisa Sloat); former wife, Leslie Litt Klein and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and colleagues. Ted is also survived by his loving fiance and devoted companion of thirteen years, Donna Syrop. Funeral services will be held Friday, September 27 at 10am at Temple Beth Am, 5950 N. Kendall Dr. The family will be receiving guests following the funeral at the home of Ted Klein, 3265 Coacoochee St., Coconut Grove. Memorial donations may be made to the Judge Theodore (Ted) Klein Scholarship Fund c/o of U of Miami Law School, P.O. Box 248087, Coral Gables, Florida 33124. For information Riverside Gordon, 305-531-1151. To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.herald.com/obituaries.