Prominent Minnesota attorney Joe Friedberg, known for his work as a criminal defense lawyer, passed away on June 17 at age 87. Friedberg had a long and distinguished career, handling high-profile cases such as the Dalkon Shield product liability case and representing Sen. Norm Coleman in the historic recount case against Al Franken following the 2008 Senate election. The recount, which occurred in a presidential year, was closely contested, with Franken ultimately winning by a narrow margin of 312 votes.
Friedberg’s role as Coleman’s advocate in the recount process, including before the state Supreme Court, is detailed in a book titled “This is Not Florida” by journalist Jay Weiner. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of Franken, debunking the arguments raised by Friedberg, including claims of due process violations and unequal treatment of absentee ballots among counties.
Friedberg faced off against national Democratic election guru Mark Elias in the Supreme Court proceeding, but the justices were not receptive to his arguments, ultimately ruling in favor of Franken. Despite his valiant efforts, Friedberg’s arguments did not sway the court, and Franken’s victory was upheld.
The recount case, which has drawn comparisons to the Bush-Gore 2000 recount, was a highly contentious and closely watched legal battle that captured national attention. Friedberg’s role as Coleman’s advocate in the case cemented his reputation as a skilled litigator, but ultimately, the court’s ruling in favor of Franken brought the epic saga to a close.
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