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Fieger, wife adopt 2-week-old boy
The Oakland Press - August 21, 2001

Famed attorney Geoffrey Fieger, bombastic and theatrical, has done it all: Championed the cause of Jack Kevorkian and, in between TV shows and a run for governor, won millions for medical malpractice clients. Now, Mr. Courtroom Gladiator will take on a new cause - changing dirty diapers.

Fieger, 50, and his wife, Keenie, 51, shared the happy news Monday that they've adopted a 2-week-old boy. They originally named him Gunnar Erik, but changed it and the name is being kept private.

The family is keeping the adoption details private. Fieger said that they picked up their son, born at an undisclosed Michigan hospital where he weighed in at 7 pounds, 1 ounce, a few days ago.

"He's beautiful," said the attorney. "He's got this long black hair and blue eyes, but I think they'll turn brown."

The Fiegers have been married 18 years. His wife, who said she has wanted a child for a long time, is "beyond thrilled."

And yes, he has changed diapers. He knows how to support the baby's head very carefully as he holds him, but hasn't given the baby a bath.

The baby is biracial, but Fieger says his son is better described as "multicultural ... he's Irish, Ukrainian, Hispanic, African American, Polish and Filipino."

The couple is scrambling to finish the nursery. Fieger said he was on his way home to interview nannies.

And to folks who might be a little surprised that the formidable attorney has a son, Fieger says, "Well, I've got one. I just want to make sure I do everything right."

The attorney, who has peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches, private vs. public-school decisions, dating and driving lessons ahead of him, seemed relatively relaxed.

The family, which has homes in Bloomfield Hills, White Lake Township and the island of Anguilla, also has five cats.

Fieger said he isn't worried about his age. He'll be 68 when his son graduates from high school.

"When he goes into high school, I'll be seven years younger than Clint Eastwood is today," Fieger said. "And 12 years younger than Paul Newman is today.

"I feel pretty young. I work out every day and people in our family live to old age," he said.

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Fieger and his wife adopt two-week-old boy
Detroit News - 8/22/01

Attorney Geoffrey Fieger has faced many adversaries both in and outside the courtroom but is now preparing to move on from Dr. Kevorkian to Dr. Spock.

Fieger said Tuesday he and his wife have privately adopted a boy who turned 2 weeks old Monday.

"It happened very quietly," said Fieger, adding that he and wife, Keenie, picked up the child at an unnamed area hospital recently.

Fieger declined to comment further about the private arrangement or the parents of the 7-pound, 4-ounce boy.

"He looks just like me when I was boy -- dark-brown straight hair, blue eyes," said Fieger. "He's really strong. Doesn't cry a lot and only wakes up once during the night -- for his feeding."

It is the first child from the Fiegers' 18-year marriage. He said they have discussed adoption for some time.

"I told Keenie, 'I can't change my vocation but I have no problem in devoting time to a child,' " Fieger said. "I lead a quiet lifestyle. I don't go out to night spots. The biggest adjustment will be finding a sitter when we want to go out on a Saturday night."

The 50-year-old Fieger said his age was never a factor in the decision.

"I don't look 50 -- I've lived a good life and am healthy," he said. "My family lives a long time."

Fieger has represented clients in numerous high-profile, multimillion-dollar lawsuits and is considered to have amassed considerable wealth. He owns three homes, including a lakeside residence in Oakland County and a vacation getaway in the Grand Caymans.

Fieger said he has no set plans for his son's future.

"I just want the best for him and I don't mean material things," he said. "My wife and I are in a unique position and just want him to be happy. But it's not just what we can do for him but what bringing him home has already given us."

And that nearly didn't happen, he admits.

"I couldn't figure out how to get him into the child's car-seat," said Fieger. "You have to be a nuclear physicist to figure those things out. We must have been out in the parking lot for about a half hour trying and eventually went inside and got someone to help us so we could get him home."