A new judge for the new season, and Geoff is coming back too - 5/13/01

``Power of Attorney's'' gavel will be in new hands this fall.   Cleveland Judge Lynn Toler will take Napolitano's place on the court show when taping for season two begins this summer.  ``Lynn Toler came along, and she's attractive, she's firey, she's smart. So we decided to test her ... and she made it quite fun and entertaining.''   Toler, a Harvard University and University of Pennsylvania Law School grad, began her first six-year term as a municipal judge in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, in 1994.

Among other tweaks to be expected in the series' second season is the likely return of O.J. Simpson prosecutor Marcia Clark, who is making May sweeps appearances on the show.

``Power'' also will start hearing a wider variety of cases, including disputes that involve higher monetary stakes.

Gloria Allred, Christopher Darden, Dominic Barbara and Geoffrey Fieger are expected to return to the roster for the show that offers everyday litigants representation by high-profile lawyers.   Its second season begins Aug. 27.

Fieger will argue real cases in new TV court show
8/18/00

Detroit's most-talked-about attorney, Geoffrey Fieger, is going back on the air. Fieger will be one of the stars of the nationally syndicated TV show Power of Attorney, featuring the Southfield lawyer as part of a continuing cast of lawyers who argue real cases before a judge. It debuts Aug. 28 on all FOX networks.

"This show is going to be hot," Fieger says, with his customary bombast. He was in Hollywood last week taping segments of the program. Fieger, probably more than any other local attorney, has figured how television works, and used it to his advantage. When his client, Dr. Jack Kevorkian, was in the news, Fieger seemed to appear almost daily on local and national news broadcasts arguing his case. Later, in a high-profile case involving talk show hostess Jenny Jones, Fieger was again omnipresent.

The television appearances translated into fame, which translated into a Democratic nomination for governor two years ago, and a radio talk show. But always, there has been friction between Fieger's real love -- the law -- and a media or political career.

Power of Attorney solves the problem for Fieger. He's able to argue cases before a television camera while continuing his law practice in Michigan. He'll fly out to Hollywood on occasion to tape shows. Last week, for instance, he taped several shows in a two-day span.

Imagine Judge Judy, except with real lawyers instead of regular civilians pleading their cases, and you've got Power of Attorney. In addition to Fieger, the show features lawyers Christopher Darden (famous from the O.J. Simpson trial), Gloria Allred and others.

"This show has every element of well-known judge shows, but adds the superior element of litigators actually trying the cases -- real cases, real litigants, real cross examination," Fieger says. "And they have spared no expense."

The set includes a lobby, a courtroom and a judge's chambers. Says Fieger: "Most of the courtrooms I've been in aren't as nice as this."

Of the 16 cases he has argued on tape so far, he has won about half. Fieger cautions that "law doesn't necessarily translate into wins" on the show.

"I think some of these cases were decided one way or the other on demographics and emotion," Fieger said Thursday.

Welcome to the strange world of syndicated television.