Dennis Archer Inducted into the National Black Lawyers Hall of Fame
- Archer, Dennis W.
- In the News
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Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Dennis Archer (Retired Chairman Emeritus) has been inducted into the National Black Lawyers Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place on January 26, 2025.
Established in 2023, the National Black Lawyers Hall of Fame inducts living African American attorneys who have contributed immeasurably to the legal profession with their work on major legal cases, pivotal laws, and local and national policy. They have also served as powerful mentors and role models for the next generation of African American attorneys.
“Dickinson Wright wants to congratulate Dennis Archer on his unanimous selection to the National Black Lawyers Hall of Fame,” said Aaron Burrell, Partner and Chair of Dickinson Wright’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. “This is a well-deserved honor for Mr. Archer, who has dedicated much of his professional life to the advancement of diversity in the legal profession.”
Mr. Archer joined Dickinson Wright in 1991 after serving as a Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. He then went on to serve two four-year terms as mayor of the City of Detroit (1994-2001) and earned national and international respect for his success in changing Detroit’s image and direction. After his successful run as mayor, Mr. Archer rejoined Dickinson Wright as Chairman in 2002 and became Chairman Emeritus in 2010. He is past president of the American Bar Association, as the first African-American ABA president in 2003, and has been active in several bar associations, eventually serving as president of the State Bar of Michigan, the Wolverine Bar Association, and the National Bar Association. In addition to being inducted into the National Black Lawyers Hall of Fame, Mr. Archer has received The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon by the Emperor of Japan; the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Michigan Corporate Counsel of America; the ABA Medal, the highest award of the American Bar Association; and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Burton Awards.
Established in 2023, the National Black Lawyers Hall of Fame inducts living African American attorneys who have contributed immeasurably to the legal profession with their work on major legal cases, pivotal laws, and local and national policy. They have also served as powerful mentors and role models for the next generation of African American attorneys.
“Dickinson Wright wants to congratulate Dennis Archer on his unanimous selection to the National Black Lawyers Hall of Fame,” said Aaron Burrell, Partner and Chair of Dickinson Wright’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. “This is a well-deserved honor for Mr. Archer, who has dedicated much of his professional life to the advancement of diversity in the legal profession.”
Mr. Archer joined Dickinson Wright in 1991 after serving as a Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. He then went on to serve two four-year terms as mayor of the City of Detroit (1994-2001) and earned national and international respect for his success in changing Detroit’s image and direction. After his successful run as mayor, Mr. Archer rejoined Dickinson Wright as Chairman in 2002 and became Chairman Emeritus in 2010. He is past president of the American Bar Association, as the first African-American ABA president in 2003, and has been active in several bar associations, eventually serving as president of the State Bar of Michigan, the Wolverine Bar Association, and the National Bar Association. In addition to being inducted into the National Black Lawyers Hall of Fame, Mr. Archer has received The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon by the Emperor of Japan; the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Michigan Corporate Counsel of America; the ABA Medal, the highest award of the American Bar Association; and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Burton Awards.
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