By J. Henson -- The Capital Judge Lerner hugs his wife of 47 years, Lenore, during Wednesday's ceremony.

Circuit Court Judge Nancy Davis-Loomis was flipping through classified ads as she tried to find a few kind words for a speech about Eugene M. Lerner, the longest serving member of the county bench.

Time and again she saw words like "smooth," "long-running" and "fast off the line."

"I knew they were either talking about Judge Lerner or a Lincoln Town Car," she said.

This year Judge Lerner began serving his 21st year on the bench. Only two other county judges -- Nicholas Brewer, a judge for 27 years from 1837-1864, and Oliver Miller, who served 25 years from 1867-1892 -- had longer tenures on the bench.

"He's an anchor to this court," said Administrative Judge Clayton Greene Jr.

To celebrate his achievement, more than 120 of his closest friends, family members and peers gathered Wednesday to present the judge with a longevity award in a surprise ceremony in the same Annapolis courtroom where he was first sworn in as a judge on Jan. 4, 1980.

"I cried when he got invested," Judge James C. Cawood Jr. said. "But that was because I was one of the candidates."

It wasn't easy keeping the ceremony a secret. Judge Lerner prides himself on staying abreast of all the courthouse gossip, earning him the nickname "Scoop," according Barbara Palumbo, his longtime secretary and friend.

"When I opened the door, I was just startled. It never occurred to me anyone would think to do a thing like that," the judge said.

Judge Greene presented Judge Lerner with a key to the court and an honorary plaque inscribed with his signature philosophy.

"I always tell people: I'm tough. But I'm fair," Judge Lerner said.

Whether he's presiding over a murder case or a community dispute over rights to a boating slip, his colleagues say the "Ironman" of the Circuit Court bench consistently lives up to that standard.

"I'm not sure we like what we do all the time," Judge Cawood said. "He likes what he does and can't think of anything else he'd rather do."

Few criminal defendants who have appeared before Judge Lerner in the last 20 years escape his courtroom without first hearing his take on the sentences he imposes.

Judge Lerner is known for his harsh sentences, earning him the moniker "Lerner the Burner." Prosecutors look forward to days when he handles the criminal dockets, while defense attorneys will dig for reasons to postpone.

"He's always been very fair, while his sentences are on the high end of the sentencing guidelines," said State's Attorney Frank R. Weathersbee.

Lenore Lerner, the judge's wife of 47 years, said he takes great pride in his work, yet his family has always been his top priority.

"This has been his whole life. He's put his heart and soul into it," she said. "But he does not bring trials home.... I guess that's his secret."

The Annapolitan was born in 1931 in the hospital that sits less than 100 feet away from his chambers window. As a child he said he would race his scooter down Market Street, past his father's pawn shop.

But when other boys were out playing ball, he spent afternoons watching trials in the courthouse across the street from his Franklin Street home. Two judges, who separately showed toughness and mild-temperament, were his favorites.

"Judges Benjamin Michaelson and Matthew Evans were my big influences," he said.

He earned his law degree from the University of Maryland, and after a brief stint in the Army, opened a practice in a one-room office.

He spent more time during those early years of his career running for political office than practicing law. A self-described "moderate Republican," he served as alderman from 1961 to 1965, and ran unsuccessfully for mayor and County Council.

In 1970 he was appointed city attorney. Never shy about making his opinion known, he frequently issued legal opinions on controversial issues during his 10 years in office, often stealing headlines from the mayors he served.

"I try not to step on other people's feet, but I've always said things I felt should be done," he said.

Judge Lerner, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 70 in December 2001, said he hopes to return to court often as a visiting judge after he steps down.

"I hope I have the strength, health and fortitude to remain here until I turn 70," he said.

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Published September 18, 2000, The Capital, Annapolis, Md.
Copyright © 2000 The Capital, Annapolis, Md.