- D. Michael Fisher
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D. Michael Fisher Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Incumbent Assumed office
December 15, 2003[1]Nominated by George W. Bush Preceded by Carol Los Mansmann 43rd Attorney General of Pennsylvania In office
January 22, 1997[2] – December 15, 2003[1]Preceded by Tom Corbett Succeeded by Jerry Pappert Member of the Pennsylvania Senate
from the 37th districtIn office
January 6, 1981 – November 27, 1996Preceded by Michael Schaefer Succeeded by Tim Murphy Republican Whip
of the Pennsylvania SenateIn office
January 2, 1991[3] – November 30, 1996Preceded by David Brightbill Succeeded by David Brightbill Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 40th districtIn office
January 7, 1975 – November 19, 1980Preceded by Jay Wells Succeeded by Frank Marmion Personal details Born 1944
PittsburghPolitical party Republican Alma mater Georgetown University Law Center Dennis Michael Fisher (born 1944 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a United States federal judge of the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He was nominated on May 1, 2003 by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate unanimously on December 9, 2003.
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Early Career and Education
He began his legal career in his hometown of Pittsburgh following his graduation from Georgetown University in 1966 and Georgetown University Law Center 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 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 before the United States Supreme Court a precedent-setting case ensuring that paroled criminals meet the conditions of their release.
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 improper 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]
During the campaign, he raised issues such as Pennsylvania’s growing medical malpractice insurance crisis, the need to improve public education and the necessity of property tax reform. 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 Judge
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.
Personal life
Fisher and his wife, Carol, an education consultant, have two children. Michelle is an attorney, and Brett works in corporate group benefits.
External links
Media related to Mike Fisher at Wikimedia Commons
- D. Michael Fisher at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
References
- ^ a b http://www.wgal.com/politics
- ^ http://nl.newsbank.com
- ^ http://nl.newsbank.com
- ^ Kennedy, Randy (March 29, 2011). "Arts Beat". The Culture at Large. http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/29/court-to-hear-more-arguments-in-barnes-foundation-dispute/. Retrieved March 29, 2011.
- ^ Drulis, Michael (2002). "Best & Worst Websites". PoliticsPA. The Publius Group. Archived from the original on 2002-10-17. http://web.archive.org/web/20021017215729/www.politicspa.com/FEATURES/websites.htm.
Sources
- D. Michael Fisher at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
Legal offices Preceded by
Tom CorbettAttorney General of Pennsylvania
1997–2003Succeeded by
Jerry PappertPreceded by
Carol Los MansmannJudge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
2003 – presentSucceeded by
IncumbentPennsylvania State Senate Preceded by
Michael SchaeferMember of the Pennsylvania Senate for the 37th District
1981–1996Succeeded by
Tim MurphyPennsylvania House of Representatives Preceded by
Jay WellsMember of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 40th District
1975–1980Succeeded by
Frank MarmionParty political offices Preceded by
Tom RidgeRepublican nominee for Governor of Pennsylvania
2002 (lost)Succeeded by
Lynn SwannPreceded by
William Scranton, IIIRepublican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
1986 (lost)Succeeded by
Harold MoweryPreceded by
Ernie PreateRepublican nominee for Attorney General of Pennsylvania
1996 (won), 2000 (won)Succeeded by
Tom CorbettPreceded by
David BrightbillRepublican Whip of the Pennsylvania Senate
1991–1996Succeeded by
David BrightbillCategories:- 1944 births
- Georgetown University Law Center alumni
- Living people
- Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Pennsylvania lawyers
- Pennsylvania State Senators
- Politicians from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Attorneys General
- Pennsylvania Republicans
- Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- United States court of appeals judges appointed by George W. Bush
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