Honorees

Hon. David H. Bartick

1958-2018

Magistrate Judge David H. Bartick was a talented lawyer and compassionate jurist known for his big heart, warm smile, and willingness to help. As then-Chief Judge Barry Ted Moskowitz observed after Judge Bartick’s untimely passing due to melanoma, “Judge Bartick loved his job and we loved him. He was brilliant, kind, fair and had an infectious enthusiasm about every aspect of his job.”

David H. Bartick was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Orange County. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a double major in political science and psychology. David represented UC Berkeley in intercollegiate boxing and, after graduation, was invited to compete for a spot on the 1980 Olympic Boxing Team.

David graduated from Western State University, now known as Thomas Jefferson School of Law, in 1985 and began his lengthy career as a criminal defense lawyer. While David handled a number of high-profile and complex cases, he also devoted a large portion of his practice to representing indigent clients. David treated all of his clients with respect and zealously represented them to obtain the best possible result regardless of financial status. David was known and admired for his positive personality and his ability to work productively with all participants in the judicial system. In addition to his significant criminal defense caseload, David served as a judge pro tem in the Superior Court for 18 years.

In 2012, David was chosen to become a Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of California. Judge Bartick was an excellent, thoughtful, and caring jurist. He worked hard and always made time for the people appearing before him, whether a criminal defendant or a civil litigant, to ensure they understood the legal proceedings and felt that they were treated fairly by the system. Judge Bartick’s colleagues remember him as true gentleman who was always willing to listen and help. As Magistrate Judge Karen S. Crawford stated, “we could not have asked for a more devoted and gracious peer. No matter what the task, David was there to assist, work through complex issues, and cover us whenever and however he could. David treated everyone with respect, dignity, and kindness. He also had a wonderful sense of humor, which was a real asset during challenging times.”

During his judicial career, Judge Bartick helped lead the San Diego High School mock trial program, participated in the District Court’s diversion program, which provided an alternative to incarceration for young adults, and devised programs and procedures that assisted prisoners with filing civil cases. After his passing and to honor him, the mock trial program created the Judge David H. Bartick Civility & Sportsmanship Award and the U.S. District Court established the Honorable David H. Bartick Award for Civility and Professionalism.

David is survived by his wife, Terry, and theeir two children, Jennifer and Brian.

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