What I saw, who I called, and what's next

Roy Altman and I are friends from way back. Miami Country Day School. Class of 2000. We took different paths to wind up at MCDS but we first met in 1996 as freshmen in high school. I distinctly remember a school that was more down to earth. Tuition was around $14,000 a year and it hadn't yet become the campus it is today.

There was something really special about that close-knit school. Roy and I had the same English and History class our freshman year and I can remember it like it was yesterday. We had the great, mighty Heidi Gray for Ancient History who constantly proved that big things come in small packages. Her small stature was no match for her orator voice. And we had the illustrious Carolyn Dorn for English. Her sarcasm and humor second to none and such an amazing teacher.

I think Roy and I were very similar in a lot of ways. We both loved sports, girls, the Beatles, 2Pac Thug Passion, Mel Gibson before we knew he was antisemitic, and we both had a deep appreciation for being a part of this school. And I must say, Roy was a major part. He was starting quarterback for the varsity football team as a freshman. He was a great athlete. He was also a great student and very popular.

I was a bit more underrated and flew below the radar, but if you knew, you definitely knew who I was. Before we ever became friends we were put together in a group, not by choice, by Mrs. Gray with a few other students, and it was some project that had something to do with Ancient History. I had no idea who Roy was at the time besides that he was new and he didn't really know anyone. I was very sensitive to the position of not knowing anyone, as I came from North Beach Elementary after graduating in the sixth grade. I came to Country Day as a transplant, against my wishes, as most of my friends were going to Nautilus Middle School.

The kids who had been at the school for years and who already had their own tight circle were not forgiving. They did not want to include you in their group. For most people, that was a problem. For me, that's where it all started.

Of course, as most kids do, back in the day we procrastinated. Way before the days of AI, iPads, or even social media, the group had a project, and none of us did it until the morning of. We knew we were in trouble, as nobody had done the project, and as a last glimmer of hope, I saw Roy in the corner writing away in his chicken scratch handwriting, taking notes and seemed intensely into the project. Roy said, "Just follow me. I'll do the talking. You guys just stand there and act it out behind me." The guy, in one hour's time, put together the most eloquent, detailed, historical viewpoint of whatever the question that was posed to us was, and got us all an A. From that point on, he was okay in my book. Even then, Roy's vocabulary, cadence, and photographic memory commanded the room.

I was fortunate to befriend this guy Roy Altman. I was lucky he liked me. And I'd like to think he was lucky I liked him. As long as Roy and I were headed in the same direction we were best friends. I remember in 9th grade when it came time for Midterms and Roy asked me if I wanted to study with him. I didn't mind and said yes, as I knew I wasn't going to study anyway. So he came over to my dad's house and we studied for hours for both English and Ancient History, and I had never seen anything like it before. He had made an outline, or maybe we made it right then and there — I don't exactly recall. But what I do recall is how prepared I was for that exam thanks to him. He took the time to make sure I was ready for the exam like no one had ever done for me before. And this is something I will never forget. I distinctly remember my father coming into my room after Roy was picked up, and he said, "That kid is a f***ing genius. Jesus Christ. You better study with him for every exam."

Roy is a United States District Judge. Southern District of Florida. Born in Caracas, Venezuela. The family moved to the United States shortly after.

Columbia University, class of 2004. Bachelor of Arts. Quarterback on the football team. Pitcher on the baseball team.

Yale Law School, class of 2007. Projects Editor of the Yale Law Journal.

After Yale, he clerked for Judge Stanley Marcus on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Then six years as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. Hundreds of criminal cases. More than twenty trials to jury verdict.

Before the bench: partner at Podhurst Orseck in Miami. Aviation law and commercial litigation.

President Donald Trump nominated him on April 26, 2018, for the seat vacated by Judge Joan A. Lenard. The Senate confirmed him on April 4, 2019, by a vote of sixty-six to thirty-three. He received his judicial commission five days later.

He was thirty-six. The youngest sitting federal district judge in the country.

Varsity Football. 1999-2000. We were a great team. We didn't practice great, but we played like professionals come game time. We played together as one. We were the Kings of the School and Masters of our Universe.

We lost touch over the years as life happens. The occasional text and call here or there. All good. But when my Dad passed in 2017 he called me. He listened to what I had to say. He cared. I will never forget that or anything about our relationship in what seems like four or five lifetimes ago. But man some of those memories are vivid. Happiness is a Warm Gun. BANG BANG SHOOT SHOOT. Some men are longer than others. Nathan in The Patriot. Knowing their minds is the Key to the Throne. Pineapple Strawberry Banana Juice. Playing Pool and watching the Yankees. Debating over the Pat Riley Heat with Zo, Timmy Hardaway, Voshon Lenard, Dan Majerle vs. Jordan's Bulls. Dr. Jack and the STUFFA and Tippy Toe Three Eric Reid. Ma and Pa. Dan Marino is the best or the worst? And of course the time he got to 9 on my One Hen, Two Ducks, Three Squawking geese.

Around February 2026, Roy reached out to me to let me know his book was coming out, and I immediately bought three copies — Israel on Trial: Examining the History, the Evidence, and the Law. Forum, distributed by Simon & Schuster. New York Times bestseller.

“Altman provides — as only a federal judge can — what everyone wants and needs from a great ruling. A strict adherence to the facts. A comprehensible legal justification for the findings. And the moral framework that brings them together masterfully.”

— John Podhoretz, Editor, Commentary Magazine

Roy applies the standards he uses on the bench — burden of proof, corroboration, chain of custody — to a debate that usually runs on neither.

“Brilliant, meticulously researched, and absolutely mind-opening. Required reading for anyone who wants to understand the Middle East today.”

— Amy Chua, Professor of Law, Yale Law School

I went to pick up my kids from school and I happened to come across a flyer advertising Roy coming to do a book signing. I had to be there. I booked my tickets and brought my Mom and we went to listen to him. Just like the boy in 9th grade who got me an A, he mesmerized the crowd and came in from alternate angles just like a pitcher going from fastball to changeup to curveball. We shared a moment. He signed my three copies. We took some pictures. I am proud of him and of his crusade. His service. Great cause for a great reason.

It's funny how life turns out sometimes. The kids you rode bikes with end up running banks and the kids you played countless hours of football with and sang Beatles songs till the sun came up end up being federal judges and writing New York Times Best Selling books.

Support my friend Roy. Go on YouTube and type in Roy Altman and watch one of his incredibly captivating speeches. Even better, buy yourself a copy of his book.

4501 Prairie Avenue Unit #1

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