Areas of Practice Emphasis

Prominent Assignments

  • Chairman, Dickinson Wright PLLC, 2002-present
  • Chairman, Board of Directors, Detroit Regional Chamber,
    2006-2007
  • President, American Bar Association, 2003-2004
  • Mayor of Detroit, 1994-2001
    - President, National League of Cities
  • Associate Justice, Michigan Supreme Court, 1986-1990

Education

  • J.D., Detroit College of Law, 1970
  • B.S. in Education, Western Michigan University, 1965

Admitted to Practice

  • Michigan, 1970
  • District of Columbia, 1972
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 1970
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 2007
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1970
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 1974
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, 2004

Professional and Community Involvement

  • American Bar Association:
    - President, 2003-2004
    - Member, Board of Governors, 1999-2002
  • National Bar Association:
    - President, 1983-1984
    - Life Member
  • Former President, Wolverine Bar Association, 1979-1980
  • Detroit Bar Association:
    - Member, Board of Directors, 1973-1975
    - Chairman, Young Lawyers Section, 1973-1975
  • State Bar of Michigan: President, 1984-1985
  • Associate Professor, Detroit College of Law, 1972-1978
  • Adjunct Professor, Wayne State University Law School, 1984-1985
  • Life Member, Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference
  • Life Member of Fellows, American Bar Foundation and Life Member of Fellows, Michigan State Bar Foundation
  • Fellow, International Society of Barristers

Selected Honors

  • Named among "100 Most Influential Black Americans," Ebony magazine, May 1984
  • Named one of the "25 Most Dynamic Mayors in America" by Newsweek magazine, November 1996
  • Named "Most Respected Judge in Michigan," Michigan Lawyers Weekly, April 1990
  • Named among "100 Most Powerful Attorneys in the United States," National Law Journal, April 1985
  • Named "Public Official of the Year," Governing magazine, November 2000

Attorney Recognitions