A valued partner of our firm for almost twenty years, Judge Edward W. Pliska passed away on October 31, 2006, after a year-long battle with cancer.  He was 71. 

A graduate of Princeton University and the University of Connecticut School of Law, Judge Pliska began his legal career as an assistant district attorney in Santa Barbara, California.  He then became a prosecutor in San Mateo County where he rose to become supervisor of all felony cases. 
           
Judge Pliska was elected to the San Mateo County Municipal Court Bench in 1972, the only candidate in the history of the county to unseat a sitting judge.  While on the bench, he served as vice president of the American Judges Association. 

In 1986, he retired as a judge to became a partner at our firm.  His practice focused on criminal defense, and he was a member of the San Mateo County Private Defender Panel.  Judge Pliska had a passion for trial work and handled a variety of criminal cases, including serious felonies.  He was well respected by prosecution and defense attorneys alike, as well as judges.  He retired from the practice of law on August 31, 2004.

In the 1970’s Judge Pliska taught criminal and constitutional law at San Mateo Law School.  He also hosted a TV and radio talk show, “Justice Forum” for public broadcasting station KCSM.  Under the auspices of People to People International, Judge Pliska received grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities to lead legal professionals on trips to Europe and Asia.  During the 2004 murder trial of Scott Peterson in San Mateo County, Judge Pliska served as a legal commentator for CourtTV. 

During his 40 years in the Bay Area, Judge Pliska appeared as actor and director for over 100 productions at amateur and professional theaters.  He was a member of the Bohemian Club.  Judge Pliska also served on the board of the Belmont Shores School District and as chairman of the San Mateo County Arts Council. 

On February 2, 2007, the San Mateo County Bar Association presented the Pliska family with an Award of Special Recognition honoring Judge Pliska for “his many years of service to the San Mateo County Community as a judge, lawyer and dramatic artist.”  The award stated that Judge Pliska “will be remembered as an individual who gave of himself and approached his life with the highest ideals and intellect.” 
           

Corey, Luzaich, Pliska, de Ghetaldi & Nastari LLP
700 El Camino Real
P.O. Box 669
Millbrae, CA 94030

650-871-5666 (Phone)
650-871-4144 (Fax)
clpdn@coreylaw.com

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