2009 Legal Legend Award Honorees

Walter H. Beckham, Jr.
Throughout his adult life, Walter H. Beckham, Jr. has worked diligently in service to his clients, profession and the law.  During his extensive career, he excelled as a trial lawyer, was a revered teacher and effectively led a host of bar committees and associations both local and national in scope.  Torts, trial advocacy, medical malpractice, aviation and judicial excellence were areas of foment and focus in his practice and bar service. Beckham taught at the University of Miami School of Law, and became Professor Beckham to two different generations of UM law students. He was a founding member of the National Board of Trial Advocacy, Chairman of the Board of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA),  Past President of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Secretary of the American Bar Association (ABA) and Chairman of the Tort & Insurance Practice Section of the ABA. Go to top.

Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte
Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte, President Emeritus of the Florida State University (FSU) served as President from January 1994 to January 2003.  He also served as the fourth dean of the FSU College of Law from 1984 to 1989. D’Alemberte represented Dade County in the Florida House of Representatives from 1966 to 1972 where he chaired several legislative committees including the Judiciary Committee that drafted and passed a major judicial reform constitutional amendment in 1972.  He has been active in the organized bar, serving as President of the American Bar Association (1991-1992), President of the American Judicature Society (1982-1984) and Chair of the ABA Section of legal Education and Admission to the Bar (1982-1983).  He chaired several ABA committees including chair of the first dispute resolution committee and the first election reform committee. Go to top.

Elizabeth J. du Fresne
Elizabeth du Fresne is a barrier breaking legal pioneer who has dedicated her legal career to protecting the civil rights of the underserved and disadvantaged while breaking barriers for women lawyers.  One of only two women in her graduating class from the University of Florida Law School in 1964, du Fresne came to the law at a time when women lawyers faced great obstacles in their quest to practice.  Through her keen intellect, perseverance, and extraordinary life force, du Fresne overcame all roadblocks and excelled as a great lawyer of her generation. du Fresne has been a brilliant trial lawyer.  Over her 33 year career, du Fresne tried more than 370 cases, handled more than 500 administrative hearings, participated in more than 60 arbitrations and mediations, negotiated more than 25 labor contracts, and defended 34 class action cases.  Go to top.

Hon. Richard E. Gerstein
The Honorable Richard E. Gerstein served as State Attorney for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit for more than 20 years. He gained national prominence in 1973 by winning the first conviction in the Watergate scandal that would eventually force the resignation of President Richard Nixon.  His conviction of Bernard Barker on money-laundering charges in Miami linked the White House directly with the 1972 burglary at the Democratic Party’s headquarters in the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. During his lifetime Gerstein received many awards including the prestigious Rockefeller Public Service Award for his outstanding work in improving justice and reducing crime.  The award cited Gerstein’s crusade to reform the American grand jury system, which had come under attack for its failure to accord witnesses the right of counsel.  Go to top.

Hon. Jesse J. McCrary, Jr. 
The Honorable Jesse J. McCrary, Jr. was a legal scholar, civil rights pioneer, and community activist.  When racial barriers were erected, Jesse McCrary tore them down by organizing sit-ins in Tallahassee while studying at Florida A & M University.  When history was made, Jesse J. McCrar, Jr. was there by serving as the first African American Secretary of State since Reconstruction under Governor Reuben Askew.  If landmark cases were presented before the Florida Supreme Court, McCrary was at the forefront, advocating for fairness, equality and justice. Although he died in 2007, McCrary left an indelible mark by creating opportunities for minorities and providing access to the inner workings of Florida's Government to African Americans. Go to top.

Hon. Peter R. Palermo 
Judge Peter R. Palermo is a tireless problem-solver with a heart, and these qualities have served him well during his lifetime in the military, as a mayor to West Miami, and as a magistrate judge. In 1971, Judge Palermo was appointed among the first United States Magistrate Judges in the nation.  Among his greatest achievements is his role in helping to establish and guide the growth of the new system.  Today there are 587 United States Magistrate Judges in 89 District Courts throughout our country.  As a United States Magistrate Judge, Palermo has testified before Congress on a number of legal issues from extradition to the Bail Reform Act of 1984.  He has also had the honor of presiding over, and swearing in more than 600,000 new United States citizens at well over one hundred naturalization ceremonies throughout South Florida. Go to top.

Neal R. Sonnett
Neal R. Sonnett is a distinguished criminal lawyer and defender of constitutional rights. In 1967, following his graduation from law school he became an Assistant U.S. Attorney.  By the time he left that office in 1972 he had risen to be Chief of the Criminal Division. While maintaining a successful and active trial practice he has been a leader in the legal profession on the local state and national level. In the 1980s he was identified with constitutional and Bill of Rights issues involving attorney’s fee forfeiture, grand jury subpoenas issued to lawyers for information about their clients, and right to counsel.  He became even more active in these areas when he became president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and later Chair of the Criminal Justice Section of the American Bar Association, He also served as President of the American Judicature Society. Go to top.