A California-based neurosurgeon, who recently asserted that Judge Pauline Newman remains competent to serve, has defended his evaluative techniques amid various criticisms. Dr. Aaron Filler, who also holds credentials as a lawyer and an inventor, conducted an examination of Judge Newman in August 2024. This assessment came almost a year following Newman’s suspension by her peers at the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit over her unwillingness to undergo an evaluation by an independent medical professional.
Dr. Filler’s assertions were met with skepticism. In February, a group of physicians engaged by the appeals court questioned the adequacy of Filler’s analysis, specifically interrogating the reliability of his CT Perfusion brain-scanning approach to conclusively rule out any cognitive impairments. In the ongoing discourse surrounding judicial health and responsibility, this debate exemplifies the complexities involved in assessing the mental fitness of esteemed jurists like Judge Newman.
For a detailed report on the issues faced by Judge Newman and the implications of Dr. Filler’s evaluation, please visit the full article on Bloomberg Law.