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Prominent Defense Attorney, Marcelino Huerta III, Dies

Tribune file photo

Marcelino "Bubba" Huerta III is remembered for his soft-spoken humanity.

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By ADAM EMERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 21, 2009

Marcelino "Bubba" Huerta III, a prominent defense attorney in Tampa whom colleagues called a consummate professional, died Thursday. He was 56.

Huerta died at his home following complications from the brain cancer he fought for nearly 14 months.

His wife, Terri, and daughter, Caroline, were at his side, reading his favorite passages from the Bible.

Huerta, the grandson of Spanish immigrants, spent most of his career conducting criminal defense.

Fellow lawyers say that, in a profession where egos loom large, Huerta showed a soft-spoken humanity.

"Lawyers can be unkind to other lawyers, but I never really saw him get sideways with people," said Scott Tozian, a lawyer who shared office space with Huerta. "But in a tough situation, you'd want him in your corner."

In September, Huerta was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers, the first Hispanic to win that distinction, his wife said.

He's a graduate of the University of Florida and the South Texas College of Law and spent his first four years in law working as an assistant state attorney for Hillsborough County.

He attended Plant High School in Tampa, where he lettered in football, baseball and basketball. His father, Marcelino Huerta Jr., was the football coach for the University of Tampa Spartans.

"He was a very devoted son and was very proud of his heritage," Terri Huerta said.

In addition to his wife and daughter, Huerta is survived by his sister, Susan Alfonso, five nephews and a niece.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, 3501 San Jose St. in Tampa.

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285.

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