James Fleissner
Encyclopedia
James P. Fleissner is an American attorney and a Professor of Law at Mercer University
School of Law in Macon, Georgia
. While at Mercer, Fleissner has remained Special Assistant United States Attorney and Deputy Special Counsel. As Deputy Special Counsel, Fleissner was lead counsel in litigation regarding motions filed by journalists to quash subpoenas and contempt proceedings in the CIA leak grand jury investigation
.
Fleissner is deputy to Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald
in the Justice Department
investigation into allegations that one or more government officials illegally disclosed the identity of a CIA agent. As Deputy Special Counsel, he briefed and argued the case to the D.C. Circuit and the Supreme Court. Fleissner argued that a First Amendment
protection exists for reporters, but only in a limited way, such as for intimidation or bad-faith investigations.
where he was a championship debater for the school's Webster Club. After graduating in 1975, he went on to coach the debate team at his alma mater while attending Marquette University
. As a debate coach, he became famous for his long distance driving skills to tournaments, and became known forever as LDD. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in 1979 and earned a J.D. in 1986 from the University of Chicago Law School
.
College of Law, Spring 2002 (Criminal Law) and the DePaul University College of Law
, Spring 2004 (Criminal Law), Summer 2004 (Evidence), Fall 2004 (Criminal Procedure), and Spring 2005 (Evidence).
Before joining the Mercer faculty, Fleissner worked as Assistant United States Attorney in Chicago from 1986-1994. During a leave of absence from Mercer Law School (January 2003-July 2005), Fleissner was Assistant United States Attorney and Chief of Appeals, Criminal Division, for the Office of the United States Attorney, Northern District of Illinois. Now, he is a Deputy Special Counsel in United States Department of Justice
Office of Special Counsel. As Deputy Special Counsel, Fleissner managed litigation regarding motions filed by journalists to quash subpoenas and contempt proceedings in the CIA leak grand jury investigation
. Fleissner is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Georgia.
, Fleissner appeared on the PBS "Newshour with Jim Lehrer," CNN, and MSNBC to discuss the prosecutions and other federal criminal matters.
Mercer University
Mercer University is an independent, private, coeducational university with a Baptist heritage located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Mercer is the only university of its size in the United States that offers programs in eleven diversified fields of study: liberal arts, business, education, music,...
School of Law in Macon, Georgia
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
. While at Mercer, Fleissner has remained Special Assistant United States Attorney and Deputy Special Counsel. As Deputy Special Counsel, Fleissner was lead counsel in litigation regarding motions filed by journalists to quash subpoenas and contempt proceedings in the CIA leak grand jury investigation
CIA leak grand jury investigation
The CIA leak grand jury investigation was a federal inquiry "into the alleged unauthorized disclosure of a Central Intelligence Agency employee's identity," a possible violation of criminal statutes, including the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982, and Title 18, United States Code,...
.
CIA leak grand jury investigation
Also see CIA leak grand jury investigationCIA leak grand jury investigation
The CIA leak grand jury investigation was a federal inquiry "into the alleged unauthorized disclosure of a Central Intelligence Agency employee's identity," a possible violation of criminal statutes, including the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982, and Title 18, United States Code,...
Fleissner is deputy to Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald
Patrick Fitzgerald
Patrick J. Fitzgerald is the current United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois and a member of the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Special Counsel...
in the Justice Department
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
investigation into allegations that one or more government officials illegally disclosed the identity of a CIA agent. As Deputy Special Counsel, he briefed and argued the case to the D.C. Circuit and the Supreme Court. Fleissner argued that a First Amendment
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
protection exists for reporters, but only in a limited way, such as for intimidation or bad-faith investigations.
Education
Fleissner attended Marquette University High SchoolMarquette University High School
Marquette University High School is a private, all-male, Jesuit, Roman Catholic school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and is a member of both the National Catholic Educational Association and the Jesuit...
where he was a championship debater for the school's Webster Club. After graduating in 1975, he went on to coach the debate team at his alma mater while attending Marquette University
Marquette University
Marquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
. As a debate coach, he became famous for his long distance driving skills to tournaments, and became known forever as LDD. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in 1979 and earned a J.D. in 1986 from the University of Chicago Law School
University of Chicago Law School
The University of Chicago Law School was founded in 1902 as the graduate school of law at the University of Chicago and is among the most prestigious and selective law schools in the world. The U.S. News & World Report currently ranks it fifth among U.S...
.
Career
Fleissner has been a member of the Mercer Law Faculty since 1994. The courses he has taught include Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure: Constitutional Dimensions, Criminal Procedure: The Litigation Process, Trial Practice, and Evidence. He has been a Visiting Professor at Georgia State UniversityGeorgia State University
Georgia State University is a research university in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1913, it serves about 30,000 students and is one of the University System of Georgia's four research universities...
College of Law, Spring 2002 (Criminal Law) and the DePaul University College of Law
DePaul University College of Law
DePaul University College of Law is a law school located in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Founded in 1897 as the Illinois College of Law, the school became part of DePaul University in 1912 and is one of the academic colleges of DePaul, a Big East Conference university. The College is known for its...
, Spring 2004 (Criminal Law), Summer 2004 (Evidence), Fall 2004 (Criminal Procedure), and Spring 2005 (Evidence).
Before joining the Mercer faculty, Fleissner worked as Assistant United States Attorney in Chicago from 1986-1994. During a leave of absence from Mercer Law School (January 2003-July 2005), Fleissner was Assistant United States Attorney and Chief of Appeals, Criminal Division, for the Office of the United States Attorney, Northern District of Illinois. Now, he is a Deputy Special Counsel in United States Department of Justice
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
Office of Special Counsel. As Deputy Special Counsel, Fleissner managed litigation regarding motions filed by journalists to quash subpoenas and contempt proceedings in the CIA leak grand jury investigation
CIA leak grand jury investigation
The CIA leak grand jury investigation was a federal inquiry "into the alleged unauthorized disclosure of a Central Intelligence Agency employee's identity," a possible violation of criminal statutes, including the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982, and Title 18, United States Code,...
. Fleissner is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Georgia.
Media
After the Oklahoma City bombingOklahoma City bombing
The Oklahoma City bombing was a terrorist bomb attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. It was the most destructive act of terrorism on American soil until the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Oklahoma blast claimed 168 lives, including 19...
, Fleissner appeared on the PBS "Newshour with Jim Lehrer," CNN, and MSNBC to discuss the prosecutions and other federal criminal matters.
Major Cases
- JUDITH MILLER, PETITIONER v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
- MATTHEW COOPER AND TIME INC., PETITIONERS v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA http://www.usdoj.gov/osg/briefs/2004/0responses/2004-1508.resp.html
- GOVERNM ENT’S MEMORANDUM IN OPPOSITION TO MATTHEW COOPER’S MEMORANDUM REGARDING THE CONTEMPT SANCTION http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/osc/documents/cooper_brief_july2005.PDF
Sources
- Extent of press rights debated Washington Times December 08, 2004
- Reporter Held in Contempt of Court Again in Leaks Probe Washington Post Susan Schmidt October 14, 2004
External links
- http://www.law.mercer.edu/faculty/bio.cfm?staffid=46Faculty Biography Mercer UniversityMercer UniversityMercer University is an independent, private, coeducational university with a Baptist heritage located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Mercer is the only university of its size in the United States that offers programs in eleven diversified fields of study: liberal arts, business, education, music,...
School of Law] - Office of Special Counsel United States Department of JusticeUnited States Department of JusticeThe United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
- Statement of James P. Fleissner concerning certain provisions of H.R. 1710, the Comprehensive Antiterrorism Act of 1995, June 12, 1995.