D. Michael Fisher

Last updated

Mike Fisher
MikeFisher.jpg
Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Incumbent
Assumed office
February 1, 2017

Fisher began his legal career in his hometown of Pittsburgh following his graduation from Georgetown University with an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1966 and Georgetown University Law Center with a Juris Doctor in 1969.

As an Assistant District Attorney for Allegheny County, he handled nearly 1,000 cases, including 25 homicides. He continued to practice law during his career in the General Assembly and was a shareholder or partner in various firms, including Houston Harbaugh, where he practiced from 1984 to 1997. Fisher’s law practice included civil litigation, commercial law, estate planning and real estate.

Political career

Before his election as Attorney General, Fisher served for 22 years in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, serving 6 years in the State House and 16 years as a member of the State Senate. He was a member of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, the Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and the Majority Whip [2] of the Senate. During his legislative career, he was a leader in criminal and civil justice reform and an architect of many major environmental laws. He ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 1986, serving as the running mate of Bill Scranton.

Attorney General

Prior to becoming a judge, he was elected Attorney General of Pennsylvania in 1996 and re-elected in 2000. Fisher personally argued major cases in state and federal appellate courts. In March 1998, he successfully argued the case of Pa. Bd. of Prob. & Parole v. Scott before the United States Supreme Court, in which the Court held that the Fourth Amendment's exclusionary rule does not apply to parole revocation hearings. [3]

In a 2009 documentary film about the politics behind attempts to move the Barnes Foundation art collection to the Philadelphia Museum of Art called “The Art of the Steal,” Fisher admitted using pressure on Lincoln University officials to get them to approve the move. [4]

2002 gubernatorial election

Fisher ran for governor of Pennsylvania in the 2002 election. Early in the campaign, the Republican State Committee gravitated to him as the nominee, much to the chagrin of State Treasurer Barbara Hafer, who had explored a run. After Fisher won the nomination unopposed, Hafer endorsed the Democrat, Ed Rendell and later switched her party affiliation to the Democratic Party. Fisher's campaign website was praised as being among the best during the 2002 election cycle. [5]

Fisher's candidacy was unable to gain traction, and he was down in the polls by double digits throughout the fall. In the end, Fisher could not catch Rendell and lost 53.4%–44.4%.

Federal judicial service

Fisher was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to serve with Marjorie Rendell, Governor Rendell's wife. Fisher was nominated by President George W. Bush on May 1, 2003, to a seat vacated by Carol Los Mansmann. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 9, 2003, and received commission on December 11, 2003. [6] Fisher officially resigned as Attorney General and assumed his judicial office four days later. [7] He assumed senior status on February 1, 2017. [6]

Personal life

Fisher and his wife, Carol, an education consultant, have two children. Michelle is an attorney, and Brett works in the Merchant Services Business. He also has 4 grandchildren; Cecilia, Camden, Elliott, and Judge.

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References

  1. ↑ Blake, Sharon (February 1, 2017). "Pitt Law Names Its Inaugural Distinguished Jurist in Residence" (Press release). University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Pecora's Retreat Leave Jubelirer In Top Position". The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. January 2, 1991. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
  3. ↑ Pa. Bd. of Prob. & Parole v. Scott, 524U.S.357 ( S. Ct. 1998).
  4. ↑ Kennedy, Randy (March 29, 2011). "Arts Beat". The Culture at Large. Retrieved March 29, 2011.
  5. ↑ Drulis, Michael (2002). "Best & Worst Websites". PoliticsPA . The Publius Group. Archived from the original on October 17, 2002.
  6. 1 2 D. Michael Fisher at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges , a publication of the Federal Judicial Center .
  7. ↑ "Pappert Takes Over For Fisher As Attorney General". WGAL Politics. WGAL. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
for the 40th district
1975–1980		Succeeded by
Pennsylvania State Senate
Preceded by Member of the Pennsylvania Senate
for the 37th district
1981–1996		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
1986 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Republican nominee for Attorney General of Pennsylvania
1996, 2000 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Republican nominee for Governor of Pennsylvania
2002 		Succeeded by
Legal offices
Preceded by Attorney General of Pennsylvania
1997–2003		Succeeded by
Preceded byJudge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
2003–2017		Succeeded by
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