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Commemorating the Life of Justice Robert K. Puglia |
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An event not to mourn but to celebrate the life of Robert K. Puglia brought out many from the legal community. On April, 28th, 2006, the Institute for the Advancement of Criminal Justice (IACJ) held a benefit dinner in honor of Robert K. Puglia, a former Justice of California’s Third District Court of Appeal. He passed away on March 11, 2005. Many close friends, colleagues, and people whose lives were touched by Justice Puglia were treated to big band music as well as appearances from notable guest speakers at the Elks Lodge in Sacramento. Featured guest speakers included Pete Wilson, the 36th Governor of California, the Honorable Janice Rogers Brown, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and Edwin Meese III, former U.S. Attorney General. Mr. Meese not only spoke but gifted all attendees with copies of his recently published book, Heritage Guide to the United States Constitution. After each speaker took the podium, they took questions from the audience. In true Puglia fashion, a few attendees engaged in a friendly debate with the guest speakers. People commented that Justice Puglia would have enjoyed immensely being part of that discussion. Those in attendance knew Mr. Puglia during his distinguished career and wanted to share in the celebration of his life. Front and center were members of his family as well as close personal friends. Among the approximately 275 attendees were representatives from numerous law firms, from law schools including McGeorge School of Law and Lincoln Law School, the Honorable James P. Willet, District Attorney of San Joaquin County, representatives from the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office and the California District Attorneys Association, judges, professors, deputy attorneys general, and deputy district attorneys. After the keynote speakers, dinner was served, and the band started its set. An avid fan of the big band era, civil war history, and major league baseball, it was fitting that attendees danced the night away to the sounds of Justice Puglia’s favorite songs. Lindsay Shoemaker is a Special Projects Assistant with the California District Attorneys Association. July / August 2006 |