The State Bar is greatly concerned about the recent personal attack attorney Geoffrey Fieger directed toward three Michigan Court of Appeals judges who reversed a $15 million verdict. According to State Bar President J. Thomas Lenga, the personal attack on these judges issued by Mr. Fieger was not only inappropriate, but served no role in further clarifying the decision and ignores the merits of the case.

"This type of unwarranted behavior by an attorney directed at the court does a disservice first and foremost to the client, and further serves to tarnish the image of the profession as a whole," said Lenga. "It unjustifiably compromises the credibility of the judicial system in the eyes of the public at a time when we as attorneys should be devoting our efforts to restoring public confidence."

In response to the court’s decision in the Badalamenti case, attorney Fieger referred to the appellate judges as "political hacks " and "jackals." Lenga indicated that Fieger’s personal attack on the judges had no basis in fact and was simply "unfair and inappropriate." He further explained that the appellate judges had an opportunity to carefully analyze the Badalamenti trial transcript at length, something the public has not had an opportunity to do. "It would be one thing if he had criticized the reasoning of the appellate court, but to personally attack the judges creates an unfair and unwarranted public perception of the judicial system, and it has nothing to do with the case itself," said Lenga.

"Reverting to such antics as name-calling or other acts of misconduct hinders the process of justice and has no place within the profession."