by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
If there was a Jeopardy game show based on legal knowledge, Circuit Court Judge Bernard Nachman might face the same competition he faced during his campaign to become a circuit court judge in 1990.
None.
Friends and family gathered to celebrate the nearly 20-year judicial career of a judge known equally for his vast knowledge of law and his welcoming demeanor in the courtroom.
“I assure you there are few times Judge Nachman isn’t familiar with the case law cited by counsel in his courtroom,” said Samuel Jacobson, who partnered with Nachman in private practice. “And during those few times he didn’t know the answer, he could tell you where to go to find it.”
Nachman built his library of law knowledge while attending Tulane University, New Orleans, where he earned bachelor’s and law degrees, and furthered that education while serving as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida and Assistant State Attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit. While serving the latter post he would try cases against longtime friend and the judge presiding over his retirement ceremony, Judge Charles Mitchell.
“Bernie has been a lifelong friend and I’d do anything for him,” said Mitchell. “Except where one of those silly ties.”
Mitchell was referring to Nachman’s trademark bow tie, which many judges in attendance chose to wear in Nachman’s honor.
Mitchell was one of five people to speak at Nachman’s retirement ceremony in courtroom four of the Duval County Courthouse on Thursday.
Nachman’s son, attorney Andrew Nachman, chose to mix heartfelt words with a little bit of heckling.
“I’ve always been proud of you and I have enjoyed listening to the praise people give you when I tell them I’m your son,” Andrew said. “I will miss being able to use your private bathroom at the courthouse.”
Nachman was an attorney for about 20 years before he was elected to the bench and earned that private bathroom. He and partner Jacobson ran a successful real estate law practice prior to Nachman becoming a judge, but he recently revealed a feeling that was gnawing at him before becoming a judge.
“I missed being a prosecutor,” said Nachman at an American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) ceremony where he was named the Jacksonville Chapter’s Judge of the Year. “I envied you. I wanted to get back to trials.”
Once he was back in the courtroom he sought out ways to make the process better. He has served as an adjunct professor at the University of North Florida, on the faculty of the college of Advanced Judicial Studies and is a member of the Education Committee of the Florida Conference of Circuit Judges, the Supreme Court Trial Court Technology Committee and is Chair of the Fourth Circuit Court Technology Committee.
In the face of a birthday that will reveal him to be 73 years young in January, Nachman is always available to help his colleagues figure out computer or other problems with a variety of electronic gadgets.
Nachman is aslo known for loving to laugh, but he also knows of the responsibility of the court.
“Judge Nachman takes his responsibilities as a judge very seriously,” said Judge Jack Schemer. “He does this mindful of the impact his decisions will have on the people before him.”
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