>> ERIC: JOE FRIEDBERG DIED EARLIER THIS WEEK AT THE AGE OF 87.

THE PROMINENT TWIN CITIES DEFENSE ATTORNEY HAD BEEN BATTLING COLON CANCER AND CONTINUED PRACTICING LAW UNTIL THE VERY END.

FRIEDBERG WAS A VOCAL ADVOCATE FOR HIS CLIENTS AND ALWAYS A COLORFUL QUOTE FOR THE MEDIA.

HE WAS PART OF "ALMANAC'S" OLD ALL-STAR DEFENSE ATTORNEY PANEL AND OFTEN SPARRED WITH THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GROUP.

HERE'S A SHORT EXCERPT FROM A 1999 CONVERSATION ABOUT THE BIG TOBACCO TRIAL.

IT INCLUDES A FUN EXCHANGE BETWEEN HE AND THE LATE BILL KENNEDY.

A COMMON OCCURRENCE.

TAKE A LOOK AND WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THE TOBACCO TRIAL, WOULD YOU AGREE THAT THAT WAS ONE OF THE BIG LEGAL STORIES IN OUR AREA?

>> PROBABLY AS UNFAIR A TRIAL SETTING AS I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.

THE WHOLE THING WAS TILTED, THE JUDGE WAS SO PRO PLAINTIFF THAT IT JUST EXUDED FROM EVERY CREVICE IN THE COURTROOM.

>> THIS IS JUST YOUR DEFENSE ATTORNEY BIAS SPEAKING.

>> LOOK -- >> NO, NO, NO.

>> -- I THINK TOBACCO COMPANIES ARE EVIL, BUT I ALSO THINK THAT TRIALS OUGHT TO BE FAIR AND THIS JUDGE WAS ANYTHING BUT FAIR RIGHT FROM THE GET-GO.

>> I DISAGREE WITH THAT, RIGHT DOWN THE LINE.

YOU SOUND JUST LIKE A REPUBLICAN ARGUING.

>> I AM A REPUBLICAN.

>> FOR BILL CLINTON, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.

[ Laughter ] GOOD GRIEF.

[ Laughter ] >> CAREFUL.

WHAT DOES THAT GOT TO DO WITH ANYTHING?

>> CAREFUL, YOU MAY BE