Herschel Fink (Photo: law firm)
Over the many years, Herschel P. Fink, regarded as one of the premiere media attorneys, has defended the Detroit Free Press, Fox 2 and Deadline Detroit.
He's also represented stars in First Amendment and intellectual property cases, including Jay Leno, Dr. Dre, Michael Moore, Stephen King and the Temptations.
On Friday, Nov. 22, Fink will receive the "John Hensel Award" presented by the State Bar of Michigan at the Detroit Institute of Arts from 6-8 p.m.
Fink, who works for the law firm of Jaffe Raitt Heuer and Weiss, has earned the admiraton of scores of reporters and editors. The award is given annually to a lawyer who has made a notable contribution to arts, communications, sports or entertainment in Michigan.
A former daily newspaper reporter and editor, Fink specializes in representing newspapers, television stations, networks, motion picture studios, authors and other news and information companies.
He helped quarterback a landmark Freedom of Information Act lawsuit for the Detroit Free Press in the Kwame Kilpatrick text message scandal that led to the mayor's downfall and resulted in Freep reporters Jim Schaefer and M.L. Elrick winning the Pulitzer Prize.
He successfully defended filmmaker Michael Moore in a lengthy federal court libel battle with James Nichols, brother of Oklahoma City bomber Terry Nichols, who claimed he was unfairly portrayed in the Academy Award winning movie "Bowling for Columbine." And he defended Jay Leno from a libel claim over a joke on his long-running NBC late night show.
Paul Anger, former editor and publisher of the Detroit Free Press, once said of Fink:
“Herschel is a fighter, passionate about open government, passionate about the public’s right to know. We’re proud that he’s partnered with the Free Press to win so many battles – and we know there are many more to come.”
To attend the ceremony, email Susan Napiantek by Nov. 7.
