'Thank You Detroit' Billboard Paid For By Prominent Attorney

DETROIT (WWJ) - One of Southeast Michigan's best-known defense attorneys is sending a great big thanks to the city of Detroit.

It's a positive sign that's tough to miss for motorists traveling the Lodge Freeway near 7 Mile Road.

"Thank you, Detroit, for 40 great years, Steve Fishman, Mumford '66," reads the billboard, paid for by Fishman, who grew up in the Motor City.

Talking to WWJ Newsradio 950's Marie Osborne, Fishman said he wants to stress that this is not an advertisement. The board doesn't mention the word "attorney" and his firm's phone number does not appear.

"I wanted to do something that would thank the city of Detroit, the Detroit Public Schools, and the citizens of Detroit for providing me the opportunity to make a success of myself," he said.

Fishman, who toyed with the billboard idea for more than two years, says he never would have achieved success without Mumford High School or the city of Detroit.

He said the billboard's message really does come from the heart.

"I don't think in my wildest dreams, when I entered Mumford High School in 1963, that I would have thought I would have the career I've had, and I wanted to thank everyone," he said.

Fishman said he knows there are others like him who might want to go public with a similar message.

"I just think it's important for people who benefited from being born and raised here to stay up and say something," Fishman added. "That's why I did what I did."