Jeffrey L. (Jeff) Fisher

Class of fishermen, processors, Alaska natives, landowners and businesses
2008
Court-appointed lead counsel for 30,000 plaintiffs represented by 60 law firms in the consolidated proceedings of more than 250 lawsuits, both class actions and direct actions, filed on behalf of fishermen, processors, Alaska natives, landowners, businesses, and others injured as a result of the spill of 11.8 million gallons of North Slope crude oil into the coastal waters of Alaska by the Exxon Valdez. A four-month jury trial resulted in a verdict awarding plaintiff clients $297 million compensatory damages and $5 billion punitive damages.

Global Crossing Telecommunications, Inc.
2007
Represented Global Crossing in case involving enforceability of FCC regulations through private rights of action.

2006
The court held that a trial court's erroneous denial of a criminal defendant's Sixth Amendment right to be represented by the counsel of his choice requires automatic reversal of his conviction.

Pro bono matter
2004
Represented criminal defendant. The court held that the procedures in Washington state's sentencing guidelines for increasing sentences based on aggravating facts" violated Sixth Amendment right to jury trial. The decision is reported at 542 U.S. 296 (2004).

2004
Successfully represented petitioner in U.S. Supreme Court in Crawford v. Washington.

Coalition of media organizations
2003
Represented coalition of media entities in federal FOIA and First Amendment appeal to the Department of Justice’s refusal to divulge the identities of persons detained in immediate aftermath of September 11.

2003
Co-authored brief on behalf of criminal defense organization in U.S. Supreme Court arguing that California’s “three strikes” law constituted cruel and unusual punishment as applied to petty offenses.

Multiple Media Organizations
2003
Co-authored amicus brief in U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of 40 media-related organizations in case involving the level of protection that the First Amendment affords to businesses regarding their communications with the media.

2003
Co-authored brief on behalf of criminal defense organizations in U.S. Supreme Court in Stogner v. California, successfully arguing that a state statute that permitted certain criminal prosecutions after the original statute of limitations had expired violated the Ex Post Facto Clause.

Coalition of media organizations
2002
Successfully represented amici in federal appeal of a multimillion-dollar verdict in actual malice defamation case. The opinion reversed the verdict and ordered judgment for the defendant.

American Jewish Committee
Prepared and filed amicus brief on behalf of the American Jewish Committee and other organizations arguing that military commissions at Guantanamo violated detainee's right to be present and confront his accusers.