IN MEMORIAM Dee Beranek is a legend in the field of judicial education

IN MEMORIAM. Dee Beranek is a legend in the field of judicial education. When she died after a short illness on November 29, 2019, she left behind Florida's nationally recognized programs for continuing education for judges and their staffs -- programs she nurtured in a career with the Florida state courts that stretched from 1983 to 2002.

"Dee made many lasting contributions to Florida’s courts," said former Florida Chief Justice Charley Wells in a tribute, "and in particular to judges. She built and maintained a superior judicial education system which was vital to the competent performance of Florida’s judges at every level of our Court system."

Over her two decades of work, Beranek worked with the Florida Court Education Council to produce nationally recognized programs. They included the Florida Judicial College for new judges, the mentor program for new trial court judges, the Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies, circuit and county judge education programs, the appellate education program, and faculty development workshops.

Those who worked with Beranek also noted her good humor and diplomacy in organizing programs that involved hundreds of judges, lawyers, and court staff. A memorial service will take place at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tallahassee at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, December 7, 2019.