The Bankruptcy Bar Association for the Southern District of Florida expresses its sorrow over the passing of the Honorable A. Jay Cristol on Monday, October 21, 2024. Judge Cristol dedicated over 37 years to serving as a United States Bankruptcy Judge, retiring on January 13, 2023. Renowned for his extensive legal expertise and deep empathy, he held the position of Chief Judge from 1993 to 1999. Judge Cristol had a profound and positive impact on all who appeared before him, and he will be dearly missed.
Judge Cristol’s family has asked that donations in Judge Cristol’s memory be made to support The Eleanor R. Cristol and Judge A. Jay Cristol Bankruptcy Pro Bono Assistance Clinic at Miami Law: LINK.
As we mourn this tremendous loss, we remember with fondness Judge Cristol’s inspiring life both on and off the bench. In that regard, we share:
1. The December 2022 edition of the Courthouse Beacon News, which commemorated Judge Cristol’s retirement after 37 years of service to the judiciary: LINK;
2. An oral history as told by Judge Cristol to Judges Isicoff and Mark, which oral history is preserved in the Archives of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Biddle Law Library: LINK; and
3. The Family Statement provided by Judge Cristol’s loving family, is reproduced below:
Chief Judge Emeritus A. Jay Cristol passed away peacefully on the morning of October 21, 2024, at 95 years old. He is preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor Cristol. He is survived by his sons, David and Stephen; his daughters-in-law, Cecilia and Violeta; and his grandchildren Samantha, Rachel, and Daniel.
Judge Cristol was born on September 25, 1929, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was the only child of Samuel and Mae. He moved with his family to Miami Beach in 1937, where he would spend the majority of his life and career.
Judge Cristol was a graduate of Miami Beach Senior High, and he joined the Navy soon after graduation as an aviation cadet. He earned his Navy Wings of Gold in 1953, flew in the Korean War, and participated in the Order of the Blue Nose ceremony. When he returned to civilian life he continued his naval service as part of the Naval Air Reserve. He went on to join the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) and was later named an honorary professor at the Naval Justice School. He retired as a Captain in 1988, with numerous military decorations including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal.
Upon his return to civilian life, he earned his B.A. at the University of Miami ‘58, and his J.D. and LL.B. cum laude at the University of Miami School of Law ‘59. He later earned his Ph.D. in International Studies at the University of Miami Graduate School of International Studies ‘97. His Ph.D thesis was published as a book, and after his coursework was completed he continued his research, going so far as to successfully sue the National Security Agency under the Freedom of Information Act. He was a lifelong Cane and taught as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Miami School of Law from 1988 to 2023.
After graduating from law school, he served as a Special Assistant Attorney General of Florida from 1959 to 1965 and as a trustee in bankruptcy from 1977 to 1985. During this time, he was also a senior partner at the commercial law firm of Cristol, Mishan, and Sloto.
On April 17, 1985, Judge Cristol was appointed Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. He went on to serve as the Chief Judge and presided over many high-profile bankruptcy cases, including the Chapter 11 Reorganizations of General Development Corporation and Pan-American Airways.
Judge Cristol had a strong sense of justice and continuously worked to make the world around him a better place. He was a deeply loved husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all who knew him. He had a huge sense of humor and a kind heart. He believed that the practice of law was an act of service and was deeply devoted to his community and to “doing the right thing.” He founded the Eleanor R. Cristol and Judge A. Jay Cristol Bankruptcy Pro Bono Assistance Clinic, providing legal help to those in need. Judge Cristol brought this mindset into his courtroom, where he worked to help people and their families with dignity and compassion.
He was an avid traveler and visited all seven continents. He was a water skier, a recreational pilot, and loved a game of Acey-Deucey. He tried his hand at bullfighting, briefly owned a pet alligator, and was an Eagle Scout. He was an Angel Flight volunteer pilot and helped found an aircraft museum. He had a deep love of poetry, going so far as to publish numerous legal opinions in the form of poems: one, in the style of Dr. Seuss, and another taking after Poe’s “the Raven.” He was an avid fan of the poetry of Robert W. Service, and would often recite “The Cremation of Sam McGee” to those who would listen.
To bid him a proper farewell, in the (almost) words of Robert W. Service:
There are strange things done, in the midday sun
By the men who preside over court,
The sandy dunes have their secret tunes
That can cut your pleadings short;
The bright sunlight has seen strange sights
But the strangest they ever did see;
Was the dawn on the cay, down by Biscayne bay
We bid farewell to AJC