Judge Holt called the consummate jurist

By Anna Rochelle A reception was held for Greene Superior Court Judge J. David Holt on Monday at the county courthouse in Bloomfield. Here, Holt (at right) chats with former Greene Circuit Judge David Johnson, at left. His wife, Phyllis, looks on. Holt has served as Superior Court Judge for 20 years since the position was created on Jan. 1, 1989. His term ends Dec. 31. Previously, he was prosecuting attorney from 1975-1983. Additional photos from the reception will be published in the Greene County Daily World in Wednesday's edition and on the website -- www.gcdailyworld.com. [Order this photo]

At a crowded reception in his honor Monday afternoon in the Greene County Courthouse, Holt was praised for being the consummate jurist -- a lawyer's lawyer known not only for his great knowledge of the law but for his great knowledge of his beloved Greene County.

Greene County Prosecutor Jarrod Holtsclaw said Holt had been more than an attorney and more than a judge -- he had been a legal scholar who set a high standard in Greene County.

"You'd better be prepared when you came into his courtroom because I guarantee you, he was," said Holtsclaw. "He made all of us into better attorneys."

Holtsclaw said Holt always took the time to explain the rules and the process and all who entered his courtroom were treated fairly with respect.

Greene County Public Defender Alan Baughman echoed Holtsclaw's words and said he had come to rely on Holt's knowledge.

"I didn't have the same confidence in other courtrooms (in other counties) as I had in Judge Holt's courtroom -- because I knew he knew the law," said Baughman.

Greene Circuit Judge Erik Allen said Holt's courtroom was run the right way and he appreciated that whenever he had a question, Holt always made time for him.

Greene County Bar Association President Luke Rudisill, from the Rowe Law Firm, read a resolution honoring Holt from the Monroe County Bar Association, 300 members strong.

The Resolution said, "He is a fair, strong, and thoughtful judge who has provided each attorney, and each citizen who appeared before him with both respect and full attention. ... No person has ever left Judge Holt's courtroom with anything less than their fair day in court."

From his service in private practice, as prosecuting attorney and as judge, the resolution stated no person has done more for the people of Greene County than Judge Holt and he had influenced the lives of untold thousands of people.

The Monroe County Bar thanked him for his service in the Navy and also noted Holt had a dry sense of humor behind a slightly hidden smile.

The reception, hosted by the Greene Superior Court Reporters and the Greene County Bar Association, was held the day before newly elected Dena Martin took the oath of office to succeed Holt as the next Greene Superior Court Judge.

Holt did not seek re-election for another term.

While preparing for the end of his term in office, Holt made it clear that he did not intend to retire -- and he reminded those at the reception that he will still be around.

"A lot of you may be thinking I'm not coming back and you're wrong," said Holt, explaining that he is becoming a Senior Judge and will be continuing to serve.

As a Senior Judge serving the State of Indiana, Holt can now serve in all courts in the state. He can be assigned to serve in a specific courtroom, or a court may invite him to serve in its courtroom.

Senior Judges may serve when elected judges are on vacation or are ill but they may also serve at the same time as the elected judge -- helping to clear the court's docket of an overload.

Holt already has one full week of work scheduled during the month of January and several courts have asked for him to be assigned to their courtroom. He said he expects to be doing work in several surrounding counties.

During his remarks at the reception, Holt expressed his gratitude to current and former Judges Erik Allen, David Johnson and Edwin B. Long of Greene County, Nat Hill of Monroe County and Bill Sharp of Owen County.

Holt also thanked those who had worked in the Circuit Court offices during his tenure, saying the things he accomplished were because of the work that goes on in the office.

"The real work is not done in the courtroom -- it takes place outside the courtroom where the paperwork flows," said Holt.

Holt recognized Court Reporter Rhonda Royal who has worked with Holt for 25 years; Deputy Court Reporter Bridget Blanton who has worked in Superior Court for eight years after over eight years in the Clerk's office; Deputy Court Reporters Tammy Goodman and Anita Bough; and former Deputy Court Reporters Judy Krueger, Bobbi Leigh, Cathy Burns and Teresa Wilson.

Holt also thanked his wife of 39 years, Phyllis, saying she had been one of the real blessings in his life. The Holts have three children and one grandchild.

Holt will begin his career as a Senior Judge with a long list of accomplishments and experience.

He graduated from Indiana University in 1964 with a bachelor's degree in government then graduated from the Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington in 1967.

From 1968-71, he served as a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Navy before serving as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Owen County in 1971-72.

From 1973-88, he practiced law in Bloomfield and served as the county attorney for Greene County from 1974-77, attorney for Greene County Welfare from 1975-87, and attorney for the Town of Bloomfield from 1976-88.

From 1975-82, he served as Greene County Prosecuting Attorney.

When Greene Superior Court was created, Holt became its first Judge by appointment on Jan. 1, 1989 and was subsequently elected to three six-year terms in office.

He has served a total of 28 years in an elected public office in Greene County.