in the 1970s, he became a public figure as a trial lawyer, defending several guerrilla activists of the left-wing red army faction. in 1971, he represented his friend horst mahler (who much later would become an advocate of the fascist national democratic party); during the stammheim trial (1975–1977), he was the only remaining attorney of gudrun ensslin. while he gained popularity and respect for acting according to his own moral principles, some accused him of supporting the radicals' goals.