Deaths, U.S. Attorneys Offices

Federal Prosecutor Found Dead On Beach

Our condolences go out to this attorney's family, friends, and colleagues.

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Beranton J. Whisenant Jr.

Beranton J. Whisenant Jr.

Terrible news out of Florida. A well-respected federal prosecutor was found dead on a beach in Hollywood, Florida, late last week. Beranton J. Whisenant Jr. was a former partner at Foley & Mansfield, where he’d worked for nine years. He left the firm in January of this year to begin work in the Major Crimes Unit at the Miami office of the Department of Justice.

Though Whisenant was discovered with head trauma, authorities have, as of yet, declined to provide an official cause of death, as Law.com reports:

Various news reports state that Whisenant’s body was found with head trauma, but a cause of death has not yet been determined. Miranda Grossman, a spokeswoman for the Hollywood police department, said that a beachgoer saw Whisenant early Wednesday morning close to shore. Grossman said detectives are trying to determine if his death was a homicide, suicide or something else. One resident told a local television station that Whisenant was dressed in casual clothing with all his personal effects on him.

The Miami FBI office has noted they’re aware of Whisenant’s death, but are not involved in the investigation.

Whisenant’s legal skills, involvement in legal organizations, and dedication to public service have prompted an immediate reaction from the legal community. As reported by the Miami Herald:

“Anytime his name came up, people had glowing things to say about him both in and outside the office,” [Acting U.S. Attorney Benjamin] Greenberg said, noting it was partly because of his involvement in the Florida Bar and the black lawyers association in Miami-Dade County. He also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami law school.

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A former partner noted Whisenant’s advocacy skills in his tribute:

Lawyer Timothy Ferguson, a close friend of Whisenant’s from their years working together at the Miami law firm Foley & Mansfield, called him a “fierce advocate and trial attorney” on his Instagram account.

“There is no one I would rather have had by my side in the trenches at trial,” Ferguson wrote.

And Foley & Mansfield noted in a statement by Miami managing partner, Virginia Easley Johnson, “We are heartbroken and sickened by the news… He was an exceptional attorney and an even better man.”

Whisenant is survived by his wife, Ebony, a physician who teaches at Florida International University’s College of Medicine, and their three children. Our condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues.

Foley & Mansfield Partner-Turned-Federal Prosecutor Found Dead on Beach [Law.com]
Federal prosecutor found dead on Hollywood Beach was devoted to public service [Miami Herald]

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headshotKathryn Rubino is an editor at Above the Law. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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