David Levin
Born on November 19, 1928, at the old Sacred Heart Hospital, he lived 73 full years with vibrancy, humor, and the love and respect of all he knew. David was a lifelong resident of Pensacola. He went to grade school, and worked summers with his father at L & L Pawn Shop, and at the Casino on Pensacola Beach.
David graduated from Pensacola High School at the age of fifteen, and went on to receive his undergraduate degree in economics from Duke University in 1949, and graduated number two in his law school class from the University of Florida in 1952.
After law school, Mr. Levin enlisted in the United Staes Air Force as a Basic Airman, and spent a year in Korea, eventually rising to the rank of Captain. After service in Korea, he began his own practice in Pensacola, soon partnering with his life-long friend, Reubin Askew, who became a state legislator and eventually, a two-term Governor. The firm of Levin & Askew grew and prospered under David Levin's leadership--becoming a nationally recognized law firm of the highest caliber. Mr. Levin is listed in the current Publication 'Best Lawyers in America', and has been listed in 'Outstanding Floridians', 'Men of Achievement', 'Who's Who in the South and Southeast', and 'Who's Who in American Law'.
Mr. Levin is former President of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in the area of marital and family law. In 1971, Mr. Levin was appointed Chairman of the Florida Pollution Control Board (forerunner of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection), and served in that capacity until June 1974. Mr. Levin was listed as one of the top 100 lawyers in the United States by Town and Country Magazine, and is a former member of the Florida Council of One Hundred, former Chairman of the Board of Certification for Marital and Family law, and former Chairman of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar. In addition, he has served on the Florida Supreme Court Commission on Matrimonial Law, and was former Chairman of the Judicial Nominating Commission of the First Judicial Circuit, State of Florida. He was also a Master Mason of Escambia Lodge Number 15, and a Thirty-Second Degree Scottish Rite Mason. Mr. Levin was also a major supporter of the University of Florida, where a chair is named for him at the College of Law. His long career earned him many accolades, but none more telling than that of the spouses he did not represent, who still left with a sense of respect for someone who fought hard, but fought fair, and always with good humor.
Mr. Levin was preceded by his brother, Martin Louis Levin, his wife, Joyce Levin, his son-in-law, Lt. William Morgan Davidson, his mother, Rose Lefkowitz Levin, and his father, Abraham Levin. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Levin; son, Dr. Richard Levin, his long-time companion, Laura Lattimer, and his brothers, Herman, Fredric, Stanley, and Allen.
