MSU Law alumnus honored with SBM John Hensel award

Michigan State University College of Law alumnus Herschel Fink, an Of Counsel attorney with Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, has been honored by the State Bar of Michigan with the John Hensel Award. Fink was presented the award by the SBM Arts, Communications, Entertainment & Sports Section on Nov. 22 at the Detroit Institute of Arts. The award is presented annually to a lawyer who has made a notable and significant contribution to arts, communications, sports or entertainment in Michigan.

A nationally recognized expert on freedom of expression issues, Fink specializes in representing news organizations, media and entertainment companies, and high profile personalities in a broad range of First Amendment and intellectual property matters. He is a frequent speaker at national media law conferences, and regularly discusses timely media topics at gatherings of the bench and bar.

A former reporter and editor, Fink has defended The Detroit Free Press, Fox 2 and many other news organizations. He also has represented scores of stars on First Amendment and intellectual property cases, including comedian Jay Leno, rapper and record executive Dr. Dre, filmmaker Michael Moore, best-selling author Stephen King, and the Temptations among others.

Fink earned a Juris Doctor degree from MSU College of Law after obtaining a bachelor's degree in journalism from Wayne State University.

He earned the Society of Professional Journalists National First Amendment Award "for extraordinarily strong efforts to preserve and strengthen the First Amendment." The society's Michigan Chapter also presented him with a "Lifetime Achievement Award," the first time a non-journalist was so honored. He also has been listed in every edition of America's Best Lawyers in First Amendment law during his private practice, and also has been named a Crain's Detroit Business "Power Lawyer" and one of the "Leaders in the Law" by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

Michigan-based Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss has more than 110 attorneys in its Ann Arbor, Southfield, Detroit, and Naples, Fla. offices.