Appeals Court Judge Reinhardt, Known as the ‘Liberal Lion,’ Dies at 87

Judge Stephen R. Reinhardt listens to arguments at the 9th District Court of Appeals in San Francisco Dec. 6, 2010. Reuters/Eric Risberg/Pool

U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Stephen Reinhardt has died after a 37-year career as a liberal icon on the bench.

Reinhardt, 87, died on Thursday of a heart attack while visiting his dermatologist, the United States Ninth Circuit said in a brief statement on its website.