PBCBA BAR BULLETINS pbcba_bulletin_Sept. 2019 | Page 15

JUDICIAL PROFILE CORNER
Judge Meenu Sasser: An Extraordinary Judge,
Mentor and Person
ADAM T. RABIN
On July 6, 2019, our legal community was
devastated to learn that we lost Judge
Meenu Sasser to esophageal cancer at
48 years of age. Since her appointment
by Governor Charlie Crist in 2009, Judge
Sasser was a beacon of judicial talent,
professionalism and compassion for all
who entered her courtroom.
As a new judge, Judge Sasser worked
incredibly hard to be excellent at her job.
Her first assignment was the foreclosure
division at the height of the foreclosure
crisis with 80 motions to read daily for the
next day's motion calendar. Within months
of taking the bench, because of the speed
in which she processed thousands of cases
and digested volumes of information,
some of her colleagues nicknamed her
“the Rocket.”
Judge Sasser later transferred to the
civil division, her wheelhouse, where she
trailblazed and changed the trajectory of
civil judging. Nobody had the combination
of her intelligence, quick study, diligence,
preparation,
organizational
skills,
efficiency, and professional demeanor and
respect towards lawyers, parties, staff,
and jurors. Jurors would send her notes
thanking her for respecting their time and
giving them a new appreciation for their
role and the judicial system.
Notwithstanding her extraordinary judicial
acumen, Judge Sasser’s impact outside of
the courtroom was equally exceptional.
She proactively offered mentorship to new
judges and lawyers alike. She was also a
“professor” of the law and judicial practice,
rising to Associate Dean of the Florida
Judicial College and becoming a prolific
author and nationally-recognized speaker
on law, technology and innovation.
Judge Sasser was passionate about
mentoring women and minority lawyers
and encouraging them to improve their
legal experience, qualify for board
certification, and apply for judgeships
and other esteemed positions. She was,
likewise, tireless in supporting young and
less experienced lawyers to develop their
skills, judgment, and professionalism
through a variety of innovative programs,
including the Young Lawyers Section’s
“Side Bar Series.”
Rest in peace, Judge Sasser. We will miss
you.
Adam Rabin joined the PBCBA Board of
Directors when Judge Sasser began her
term as President in 2007. They served
together on the Board until 2009, continued
to work together on various bar programs,
and remained good friends.
In Memoriam
Judge Sasser was creative, focused, and
relentless all at the same time. She was
always trying to improve herself and
encourage others. She had a particular gift
for making those around her feel important
and valued.
For me personally, she was an incredible,
supportive, and loyal friend, whom I will
miss dearly.
Most importantly, Judge Sasser was a
present and committed wife, mother, sister
and daughter. She loved above all else her
husband, attorney Thomas Sasser, her
children Andrew, Caroline, and William,
and her family.
On the eve of Judge Sasser’s service, there
were hundreds upon hundreds of people
waiting in line at the funeral home, out the
door, and the down the sidewalk, to pay
their respects to Judge Sasser’s family. It
was like nothing I have ever seen.
It is also exceptional for a Governor to order
that the American and state flags be flown at
half-staff in honor of a judge. Governor Ron
DeSantis did just that in memory of Judge
Sasser. I cannot think of any person more
deserving of such a tremendous honor.
PBCBA BAR BULLETIN
15
Honorable Judge
Meenu T. Sasser
1970 - 2019