Lawyers representing 97-year-old Federal Circuit Judge Pauline Newman have released a comprehensive 44-page report from Dr. Aaron Filler, a neurosurgeon, stating that the embattled judge remains fully capable of performing her judicial duties. The report underscores Newman’s ability to serve on the bench, despite her suspension by colleagues from the Federal Circuit due to her refusal to undergo a neurological examination by an independent physician.
Dr. Filler, a licensed lawyer who has previously appeared before Judge Newman, compared her verbal and analytical skills during his examination to his past interactions with her in 2019 and 2022. His report highlights the use of advanced brain scans, specifically Perfusion Computed Tomography, emphasizing that the results are objective and require minimal subjective interpretation. The medical evaluation lasted approximately three hours and included a detailed analysis of Newman’s cognitive capabilities. Filler’s findings were unequivocal: Newman shows no signs of cognitive impairment and is able to fulfill her judicial responsibilities.
This latest medical assessment appears in stark contrast to previous evaluations questioned by the Judicial Council. Previous assessments conducted by Newman’s physicians were criticized due to their personal connections to Newman and her legal representatives, raising doubts about their objectivity. The report by Filler aims to quell such concerns by presenting an evidence-based and unbiased assessment of Newman’s abilities.
The Judicial Council’s decision to suspend Newman came after she refused to comply with demands for an independent neurological examination. This new report, released by the New Civil Liberties Alliance, which represents Newman, seeks to counteract the Council’s rationale for her suspension. Read more about the developing case and the detailed findings of Dr. Filler’s report.