March 14, 2013
Duluth News Tribune

Public defender Friedman honored for work

Longtime Northeastern Minnesota Chief Public Defender Fred Friedman was honored for his work on behalf of the indigent in a ceremony at the Town and Country Club in St. Paul Saturday night. 

The Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers presented Friedman with its Distinguished Service Award. 

“Fred Friedman, for over 40 years, has been representing the indigent in the public defenders’ office and leading all of the public defenders in Duluth and the Iron Range, so we decided to honor him for all of his wonderful contributions,” said Carolyn Agin Schmidt, treasurer of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. “He’s very deserving of this award.” 

Friedman said he was humbled by the honor and proud of the fact that he’s been one of only two chief public defenders in Northeastern Minnesota over the past 47 years. 

The University of Minnesota Duluth graduate will turn 66 on March 18. He has been a lawyer since 1972 and the chief public defender since 1986.