Adverse Witness
CONTINUED ARTICLES Adverse Witness: A Publication of the Collier County Bar Association AW
Presidents Message CONTINUED
A View From The Bench CONTINUED
Looking directly at the defendant, as if there were no one else in the courtroom, Judge Greider said to him as follows: “I am here to honor and protect your rights.” The sincerity of the Judge’s words and unmistakable intent were not lost on the defendant. As soon as he understood what Judge Greider said to him his muscles started to relax, he was no longer resisting the bailiff’s instructions, and he took his seat. This transformation in the defendant’s attitude and conduct was amazing to watch. With that single sentence Judge Greider assured the defendant that he would be fairly tried, and the proceedings commenced. I remember Judge Greider’s words today as if they were said only this morning. To the best of my ability, I have tried to live up to the aspiration of honoring and protecting the rights of those who come before the Court to which I am assigned. Finally, I would like to thank my parents (Kathleen and Edward), my children (Alexandra, Kathleen, and Edward), my paralegal Nina Griffith, and my ex-wife Agnes, for their support and encouragement. My mother was actually a legal secretary / paralegal in New York during the 1950’s and 60’s. It was Agnes’s suggestion, however, that I attend law school. Agnes then tutored me before I took the LSATs and worked nights and weekends to support me during those law school years for which I shall be forever grateful to her. Respectfully, Edward L. Larsen Edward L. Larsen, President
If you have a family in the teen years, you will have lots of time while you chauffeur them to various events, competitions, and/ or lessons around the state. Enjoy that one-on-one time with your child as a captive audience. Sure, there are lots of hassles that come with those trips, but remember you are all together and that is quality time that you will never get back. Also, while you are in this phase, make sure that you take some time off as a family from their activities every so often, so you model good behavior for their futures. If you have grown kids, take time to re-engage with your significant other, re-engage with service opportunities in the community, or just get out and explore again with a different perspective. At any stage, you can also always read, garden, golf, fish, hunt, boat, or get exercise, or anything else that you enjoy. The important thing, whether you actually take a trip and get away, or are just hanging out around the house, please remember to take the time to do the things that make you feel good and give you an escape from the pressures of the practice of law and carrying the burdens of others all the time. Making that conscious effort to “disconnect” from time to time is incredibly healthy.
JULY / August 2022 Vol. 210
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