A Judicial Profile
by Mark A. Sylvester*
Respect, consideration, and professionalism; these terms embody Judge Victoria Platzer as a person and as a judge.
Judge Platzer took the bench in 1995, and throughout the years has garnered the respect of her colleagues and the legal community. In 2006, she received the Justice Harry Lee Anstead Award, from the Miami-Dade Justice Association. The award recognizes the tireless pursuit and practice of the highest ideals and tenets of the legal profession, and for consistently demonstrating the essential ingredients of professionalism: character, competence, and commitment.
"I try to manage my courtroom the way that I would have liked to have seen it managed when I was practicing law; with professionalism, respect, and consideration. I believe you can be professional and courteous at the same time," she said.
Judge Platzer currently presides as a "back-up" judge in the civil general jurisdiction division. The "back-up" division is composed of Judge Platzer and Judge Kevin Emas, and was formed to specifically handle trials expected to last 10 days or longer; which is ideally suited to Judge Platzer who finds presiding over trials to be the most enjoyable aspect of her job. In particular, Judge Platzer obtains satisfaction from interacting with members of the jury panel and turning reluctant jury members into willing and eager participants in the judicial process.
"My goal is to make their experience as a juror rewarding. I try to help them understand the proceedings and the importance of their participation in the process. It is vital to me that they are comfortable with the process and feel like they have made a difference," she said.
Judge Platzer routinely sends out jury questionnaires at the conclusion of each trial in an attempt to gather feedback from the jurors on their experience, and obtain ideas for how the system can be improved. She and her staff often receive praise from jurors, who are impressed with the judicial system and comment that it's not like what they see on TV.
Whether it be in chambers or outside of the courtroom, when the Judge is not presiding over legal matters, she is often engaging in witty repartee with her colleagues, staff, and anyone who passes by. She is well known for her quick wit and sense of humor.
Stacy Hernandez has served as Judge Platzer's judicial assistant for the past 7 years and says, "Judge Platzer is a pleasure to work with: she demands a professional and courteous working environment, but during down time she is down-to-earth and has a great sense of humor."
Her bailiff of 6 years, Dave Simmons recently retired, but recounts that Judge Platzer "runs a tight ship. She's well respected by her colleagues and the court staff, and has a great sense of humor; which was certainly necessary to put up with me."
Judge Victoria Platzer was born and raised in Miami, Florida. She attended Miami Beach High School and graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 1975. In high school she served on the debate team and excelled in the extemporaneous speech competitions. She was always told she should be a good lawyer because she was quick witted, opinionated, and liked to talk. Upon graduation from FAU, she began working to save money to attend law school. By chance of circumstance, she found her way into law enforcement and became a Miami Beach Police Officer. She served on the force from 1977-1983, while putting herself through law school at the same time. In 1982, she graduated from the University of Miami School of Law. Thereafter she moved to Colorado where she spent a year clerking for a State Court Judge. She returned to Miami in 1984, to marriage, children and a stint as a Hearing Examiner with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
In 1985, Judge Platzer entered private practice where she specialized in civil litigation. After 10 years in private practice, Judge Platzer felt the opportunity was right to make a difference in the judiciary. In 1994, she was elected to the bench. She was most recently re-elected without opposition in 2006 to her third 6 year term.
Outside of the courtroom, Judge Platzer has served as a member of the faculty at the College of Advanced Judicial Studies, Florida Judicial College and the Conference of Circuit Judges. She also teaches as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law, Litigation Skills Program.
Judge Platzer was instrumental in the formation and advancement of the Guardian Ad Litem program in the criminal courts in Miami-Dade County. She has been honored as Citizen of the Year 1994, Fraternal Order of Police, William Nichols Lodge #8, and Jurist of the Year, First Family Law American Inns of Court, 2001-2002.
When asked how she would like to see lawyers present themselves in court, Judge Platzer commented that she would like to see lawyers treat everyone with "at least a touch of humanity."
"We seem to sometimes lose sight of the fact that we really are all in this together. Extend the same courtesies to the court, your colleagues, and people in general as you would want to receive yourself," she said.
"Be on time; be prepared; be pleasant. Being a good advocate does not mean you have to be rude or inconsiderate. And, of course, DON"T talk on your cell phones in court. I know that doesn't bother some people; but I think it just shows a general lack of respect for the process and for everyone else in the courtroom," she said.
Judge Platzer expressed concern that at times there appears to be a lack of consideration amongst lawyers and the people that she comes across in the courthouse. She challenges lawyers, and people in general, to try to be more considerate. "Try saying hello or good morning to three people you don't know when you walk into the courthouse," she said. "We all work very hard at what we do, but we shouldn't lose sight of how to treat one another with not just civility, but with kindness as well. It doesn't make you weak because you are approachable."
As far as her judicial philosophy, Judge Platzer always tries to keep in mind why she ran for Judge. She loved appearing before Judges who were on time, pleasant, had read the materials, allowed both sides to present their positions, treated her clients with respect and then ruled promptly. "When I lose sight of that, it will be time to move on," she said.
Outside of the courtroom, Judge Platzer takes great pride in her two daughters, Whitney 21 and Katey 20, both students at Appalachian State University, in Boone, North Carolina. Whitney has ambitions to become a graphic designer and Katey has her sites set on acting. The Judge also co-owns a house in Whitefish, Montana, near Glacier Park. She discovered the scenic location while attending a judicial conference and fell in love with the area. In the winter she tries to make it out there to ski, and in the summer to enjoy the cool air, idyllic scenery and the friendliness of a small town.
Judge Platzer is also the proud owner of a four year old English Bulldog named Wilbur, and just adopted a rescue dog, aptly named Charlotte.
On her desk sits a small doll named "Mr. Wonderful", who, when his button is pushed, says such unlikely things as "you keep the remote control" or "maybe your mother could spend more time with us, honey". Although she's on the look-out for the real "Mr. Wonderful", Judge Platzer takes a tongue in cheek approach: "That search may actually be a tad bit easier than getting people to say hello to each other in the lobby or on the elevator in the morning."
Mark A. Sylvester is a partner at the law firm of Leesfield & Partners, P.A. He specializes in representing plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death cases.
