2016 Legal Legend Recipient

Judge Robeto M. Piñeiro was admitted to the practice of law in 1977 after graduating from Duke University School of Law. He was the youngest lawyer to be sworn in to the Florida Bar. He served as an Assistant State Attorney from 1973 to 1983. He tried his first jury trial at the age of 22 and rose quickly to become a Major Crimes prosecutor, trying murder cases.

 

One of his heartfelt recollections was a guilty verdict he obtained for a victim shot multiple times in the head, who crawled out of the bushes seeking help, and lived to testify. Judge Piñeiro internalized these experiences in a way that helped make him such a compassionate and dedicated attorney and later, judge. He entered private practice from 1983 to 1986 to broaden his experience and tried cases in state and federal court. In 1986, Roberto rejoined the State Attorney’s Office and was cross designated as an Assistant United States Attorney. He was involved in complex R.I.C.O. litigation when he was appointed to the county court bench in 1989, where he served until his appointment to the circuit court bench in 1996. He presided over many difficult cases, again internalizing concerns for the victims, their families, the defendants and the community.

Decisions were not made lightly or cavalierly, but with a great deal of moral and legal cogitation. Judge Piñeiro served in civil, family, and criminal court. He was known to be the judge who tried the most cases and was always extremely knowledgeable about the law. Other judges frequently came to him for advice and enlightenment about his calendar management skill. He took pride in assuring victims and defendants of swift and fair justice.

Judge Piñeiro had an abiding conviction that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity. He was insistent that no one was excluded from this mandate, which explains in party, why his staff, corrections, bailiffs, maintenance people, victims and their families and even defendants in this division grieved his early demise with tears and overwhelming sadness.

He always said his proudest accomplishment was his family, which was part of his exceedingly humble demeanor. He is sorely missed by the entire legal community, but by his family most of all!