USPS Publication Number 16300
T h is C o m mu n i t y N ewsp a p er is a pu bl ica t ion of E sca m bia-S a n t a Rosa B a r Assoc ia t ion
Se r v i ng t he Fi r st Jud icia l Ci rcu it Section A, Page 1
Vol. 21, No. 3
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January 20, 2021
1 Section, 8 Pages
FRED LEVIN IN MEMORIUM MARCH 29, 1937 – JANUARY 12, 2021 Intro by Kelly Oden | Photo by Guy Stevens Biographical information from Fred Levin’s obituary Legendary Pensacola personality and revered trial lawyer Fred Levin died on January 12, 2021 from COVID-19 after having survived stage 4 lung and brain cancer. Fred Levin is perhaps best-known as the trial lawyer who brought down big tobacco, but locals know he was also one of the most generous philanthropists our community has ever known. Levin gave millions of dollars to the causes closest to his heart. He donated to big name organizations like the University of Florida; The Studer, Levin, Bear, Switzer YMCA; The Institute for Human and Machine Cognition; and the University of West Florida. In addition to these big dollar contributions, Levin gave significant donations to smaller nonprofits like The Children’s Cancer Society and Gulf Coast Kids House, along with countless smaller grants to area nonprofits, little league teams, and even individuals. Levin’s charitable giving has changed many lives for the better and has significantly contributed to the growth and renaissance Pensacola has seen in recent years. Levin was born on March 29, 1937, in Pensacola. He grew up in a conservative Jewish household, with his mother (Rose), father (Abe), and brothers (David, Herman, Stanley, Martin, and Allen). Levin’s father owned a local pawnshop where Levin would often fill in. As an undergraduate at the University of Florida, Levin was more interested in socializing than academics. That changed when he entered law school at the University of Florida College of Law in 1958. He spent three years working hard and he graduated third in his class –first in what was left of the original freshman class. Levin found that he enjoyed being praised for his mind rather than his dancing skills—and so, his lifelong relationship with success began. Levin has been honored with many awards and accolades in his life and career. He has been named Trial Lawyer of the Year; he is a member of the prestigious Inner Circle of Advocates; he holds multiple records for highest verdicts; he has been recognized in every edition of Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America and Best Trial Lawyers; and he is a member of the Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame. While his legal accomplishments could fill volumes, Levin also found tremendous success as a boxing manager and was awarded the Rocky Marciano Award for National Boxing Manager of the Year. Fred was also a passionate advocate for racial equality and civil rights. Additionally, Levin was named a chief in the country of Ghana. He is one of
three to receive this great honor along with Shirley Temple Black and Barbara Jordan. Fred is survived by his children Marci Goodman (husband Ross), Debra Dreyer (former spouse and friend Mark), Martin Levin (wife Terri) and Kimberly Brielmayer (husband Gary), as well as his grandchildren, Jacqueline Goodman (fiancé Jeffrey Martorell), Brenton Goodman (wife Stephanie), Jacob Dreyer, Tyler and Alexandra Brielmayer, Dustin and Jayden Levin, and his greatgrandchild Levi Goodman. He is also survived by his sistersin-law Teri Levin and Pamela Levin, and too many family members and personal friends to acknowledge, including but far from limited to Brenda Vigodsky, Phillip Morris, Mark Proctor, Mike Papantonio, Troy Rafferty, and Virginia Buchanan. Fred Levin’s loss is felt in all sectors of the Pensacola community, but perhaps most strongly in the legal community. Here, friends and colleagues offer remembrances and tributes to the incredible Fred Levin. “The Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association mourns the loss of Fred Levin, a titan among lawyers nationwide. His service is a model for all of us: he not only improved the health and safety of Floridians through his efforts against the tobacco industry, but he also used his earnings to benefit education and other philanthropic causes.” – Heather Lindsay, President of the EscambiaSanta Rosa Bar Association “Fred to me was first and foremost a friend, a loyal friend.
He had a work ethic like no other and that was something I admired and try to incorporate into my own life. He taught me to think objectively and look at the other side of an argument and this was a valuable lesson for me in politics and my daily life. Fred was a mentor and honest with me about his mistakes and often reminded me to look at the big picture and play the long game. He would often say, ‘Being from a small town doesn’t mean we can’t accomplish great things that will have a positive impact on the lives of our community, our state and country.’ This instilled confidence in me to keep punching.” – Ashton Hayward “Fred Levin was my father, my law partner, my business partner, and most important, my longtime closest friend. We tried many cases together, invested in businesses together, shot a lot of dice together, drank way too much alcohol together, and enjoyed some of the funniest and most significant events in each of our lives together. Dad is the most incredible person I have ever met, and honestly is the person I have admired all of my life, and the person I have most tried to emulate.” – Martin Levin “What can you say about Fred Levin? He was an icon. A titan. A legend. The most brilliant trial lawyer I have ever had the privilege of trying a case with. He was not only my mentor and my partner, he was one of my dearest friends. Over
the years, we shared a lot of meals, drinks, laughs and a ton of stories. He was THE master storyteller. He was courageous both inside and outside the court room. He NEVER backed down from a fight and loved championing the cause of the underdog and the less fortunate. He was an innovator. Always thinking outside the box. He touched so many lives in such a positive manner it is simply incredible. He inspired every person who came into contact with him. He will be forever missed but never forgotten. His legacy will live on through all of those that were lucky enough to have known him.” – Troy Rafferty “FGL was all the great accolades for which he is known—a visionary and trailblazing lawyer who achieved at the highest levels—he is forever ensconced among the legal royalty. But he was so much more—a mentor, a teacher and a dear and treasured forever friend—someone who was there for me from day one when he hired me thirty years ago. He gave me a seat at the table, and I will never forget it. Thirty years together, and he was there for me for every major event in my life—the successes and joys, as well as the difficulties and losses. His zeal for living and his hope and faith in humanity will be guiding points for me always. Rest in exuberance, FGL, just as you lived here on Earth.” – Virginia M. Buchanan “What made Fred such an ex-
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traordinary force in the courtroom is that the jury could see genuine compassion. It showed to the point that it was palpable. Compassion cannot be an affectation it must be genuine and that was what Fred projected.” – Mike Papantonio Growing up a Jewish kid in the South, Fred Levin learned what it felt like to be an outsider; what it felt like to not always belong. It was a feeling that would both mold and drive his life, both personal and professional. He had both the heart of the little man and the heart of a champion and he used all of his resources, both inside the courtroom and out, to advocate for the interests of people, not the powerful. Fred mentored and trained a legion to follow in his footsteps so that his commitment to fairness and equality under the law would continue and outlive him. At Levin Papantonio Rafferty, we are sad today because we have lost a legend. We have lost a partner; a mentor; a brother in arms; and most importantly a dear friend. However, Fredric Gerson Levin will always live on in these halls; during the week; on the weekends; every day; at every lunch; in every way; but most importantly, in our work; his work; lending a voice to those in need who otherwise would not have one. This was Fred’s heart and his life’s work. It has become ours. God Bless Fred Levin!” – Mark Proctor Continued on Page 4 ›
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