Trial attorney takes issue with critics on Supreme Court

DETROIT (AP) -- Geoffrey Fieger already was leery of the Michigan Supreme Court's ability to be impartial. The tone of the just-concluded election left the outspoken trial attorney with no doubts.

"I can only characterize these people as perhaps the worst example of jurists who have ever held offices of their stature," Fieger said Wednesday, a day after three incumbents appointed by Republican Gov. John Engler and nominated by the GOP defeated their Democratic Party-nominated opponents.

"They have indicated they are beyond biased," Fieger said. "Foaming at the mouth, isn't that how you'd describe it?"

During the often bitter and partisan campaign, Republicans slammed the Democratic candidates for accepting trial lawyers' contributions. Democrats accused the GOP-dominated court of favoring big business.

Fieger was singled out by incumbent Justice Robert Young Jr., who declared during a George W. Bush rally in Dearborn, "Geoffrey Fieger and his rich trial lawyer friends are trying to buy another court."

Fieger, a Democrat who once represented assisted-suicide crusader Jack Kevorkian and lost to Engler in the 1998 gubernatorial race, said the election rhetoric has stripped the Supreme Court of any vestiges of fairness.

"I'm an advocate. I advocate a side. I'm allowed to. They are not," Fieger said of the court's 5-2 Republican majority. "They are radicals ... and they certainly need to be taken off any case I am part of."

Young, who was elected to a term expiring Jan. 1, 2003, said Fieger's criticism was off-target.

"I think Geoffrey Fieger confuses his clients with his causes," Young said Wednesday. "The fact that Geoffrey Fieger and his colleagues are in the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association has nothing to do with the merits of their clients' claims.

"I find it odd for him or anyone else to say they can be actively involved in the political campaign and yet be immune from criticism for their political views."

Trial attorney takes issue with critics on Supreme Court

DETROIT (AP) -- Geoffrey Fieger already was leery of the Michigan Supreme Court's ability to be impartial. The tone of the just-concluded election left the outspoken trial attorney with no doubts.

"I can only characterize these people as perhaps the worst example of jurists who have ever held offices of their stature," Fieger said Wednesday, a day after three incumbents appointed by Republican Gov. John Engler and nominated by the GOP defeated their Democratic Party-nominated opponents.

"They have indicated they are beyond biased," Fieger said. "Foaming at the mouth, isn't that how you'd describe it?"

During the often bitter and partisan campaign, Republicans slammed the Democratic candidates for accepting trial lawyers' contributions. Democrats accused the GOP-dominated court of favoring big business.

Fieger was singled out by incumbent Justice Robert Young Jr., who declared during a George W. Bush rally in Dearborn, "Geoffrey Fieger and his rich trial lawyer friends are trying to buy another court."

Fieger, a Democrat who once represented assisted-suicide crusader Jack Kevorkian and lost to Engler in the 1998 gubernatorial race, said the election rhetoric has stripped the Supreme Court of any vestiges of fairness.

"I'm an advocate. I advocate a side. I'm allowed to. They are not," Fieger said of the court's 5-2 Republican majority. "They are radicals ... and they certainly need to be taken off any case I am part of."

Young, who was elected to a term expiring Jan. 1, 2003, said Fieger's criticism was off-target.

"I think Geoffrey Fieger confuses his clients with his causes," Young said Wednesday. "The fact that Geoffrey Fieger and his colleagues are in the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association has nothing to do with the merits of their clients' claims.

"I find it odd for him or anyone else to say they can be actively involved in the political campaign and yet be immune from criticism for their political views."