Who is Robert Luck? Walking Encyclopedia, Terrible Golfer, Supreme Court Justice
Judge Robert J. Luck. Photo: J. Albert Diaz/ALM
The evolution of Miami-born jurist Robert J. Luck has been notably swift. After joining the Florida Bar in September 2006, Luck rose to the Miami-Dade Circuit bench within seven years. Now at 39, he's taken a seat on the state's highest court.
Luck served as a law clerk for Judge Edward Carnes of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, who later took him on as a staff attorney — an unusual move for a federal judge. He also worked for Big Law in Greenberg Traurig's appellate section before serving as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida between 2008 and 2013 — one of his longest stints.
Here's what colleagues say made Luck stand out.
Miami-Dade Chief Judge Bertila Soto met Luck soon after she became chief in 2013 when he was appointed to the circuit bench at 33.
Miami-Dade Circuit Chief Judge Bertila Soto. Photo: AM Holt/ALM
"I remember everybody being astonished that Luck was so young and going to circuit," Soto said. "And he hit the ground running. His age had nothing to do with the quality of his work."
According to Soto, Luck showed up to work even when he was sick or overloaded.
"The day after his campaign when he was re-elected, he was there the next day to pick a jury," Soto said. "He's got an incredible energy about him, and he's always willing to go even farther."
Luck moved on to the Third District Court of Appeal bench in 2017, but he's continued to go to Miami-Dade Circuit events and investitures, according to Soto.
"He's a part of our family," Soto said. "We were heartbroken but happy when he left to the Third DCA, and we'll be heartbroken when he moves to Tallahassee."
Third DCA Judge Edwin A. Scales III also met Luck when he was a circuit judge at a course where they learned how to teach judges at judicial education seminars. Scales was immediately struck by Luck's breadth of knowledge — not just about the law but "about virtually any other topic you could come up with."
Judge Edwin A. Scales, Third District Court of Appeal Photo: J. Albert Diaz/ALM
Scales isn't joking: The Florida Gators, rock 'n' roll, current events, Israeli geography. Luck is a walking encyclopedia as far as Scales is concerned.
"His intellectual curiosity is amazing, because it takes him to so many different places," Scales said.
Luck's inquisitive nature likely aids his crisp, clear communication style — in person and on paper.
"It's actually a pleasure to read one of his opinions," Scales said. "You can tell in his writing that he's got a passion for what he's writing about. Even if it's the most mundane issue or the most discreet procedural issue, he writes with such a passion for that issue that it draws the reader in."
Luck's writing also caught Soto's eye.
"He will probably be known as one of the best writers at the Florida Supreme Court," Soto said.
Florida Supreme Court
Click here to read Luck's full application to the Florida Supreme Court
'The James Brown of Judges'
According to Third DCA Judge Thomas Logue, Luck is no corner-cutter, studying each case as though he were arguing it himself.
"Robert Luck has a lot of brains and a lot of heart, and he puts all his brains and all his heart into every case he hears," Logue said.
Third DCA Chief Judge Kevin Emas seconded that notion, labeling Luck 'the James Brown of judges' — the hardest worker in the judiciary. According to Emas, he's also "a die-hard Gator, a terrible golfer, an avid reader, a notorious nongossiper and a wonderful colleague."
Luck actively avoids legal banter, according to former Third DCA Chief Judge Leslie Rothenberg.
"If we just bring up a legal issue off the cuff, he’s silent. He never weighs in," Rothenberg said. "I think he’s too serious for that, and I don’t think he wants to take a position on something before he really understands it, knows it and is ready to talk about it."
Rothenberg said Luck enjoyed the circuit bench and was initially reluctant to leave when she scouted him for her court, so she looks forward to watching him stay put for a while.
Judge Robert J. Luck. Photo: J. Albert Diaz/ALM.
Luck will join his colleague Barbara Lagoa on the high court bench — the first Third DCA judge to rise to the post.
Time will tell what sort of justice Luck will be. But having made real friends of his workmates, Luck will leave a conspicuous Third DCA-shaped hole behind when he moves to Tallahassee with his wife and children.
"I'm going to miss him," said Third DCA Judge Ivan Fernandez. "I really am. He's been a tremendous addition to our court, and I can say without reservation that he has made me a better judge."
Luck was a brilliant Third DCA jurist, according to fellow Judge Norma Lindsey, while Judge Bronwyn Miller saw him as a pillar of the judicial community.
"Today is a wonderful day at the Third District Court of Appeal," Miller said. "Like Justice Lagoa, Justice Luck is a hardworking, humble, diligent and dedicated public servant. I have no doubt that he will serve our citizens from our highest court with dignity, scholarship and restraint."
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