Born in 1942 in Detroit, Dennis Archer’s story is centered in Michigan. He attended Western Michigan University for his undergraduate degree but did not immediately move on to law school. Instead, Archer worked in the Detroit Public Schools system, teaching students with learning disabilities for five years. In 1970, he graduated from the Detroit College of Law, now known as Michigan State University College of Law.

Equipped with a JD, Archer began his career as a trial lawyer and law professor. In 1986, he stepped into the role of judge with an appointment to the Michigan Supreme Court. In 1994, Archer headed in the political direction as Detroit’s 59th mayor. After two terms as mayor, he returned to private practice, becoming chairman of the Dickinson Wright in Detroit, where he still works today.

Throughout his career, Archer had leadership positions with several bar associations, specifically those for lawyers of color. He was on the board of directors for the Detroit Bar Association. He was president of the Wolverine Bar Association, the National Bar Association and the State Bar of Michigan. But in 2003, Archer became the first black president of the American Bar Association. A recipient of the 2016 ABA Medal, the association’s highest award, Archer previously told the ABA Journal that this decision was difficult, considering the ABA’s history with white dominance in membership and leadership. It wasn’t until 1943 that the ABA even allowed black lawyers to join the association. Nevertheless, Archer stayed involved with the ABA, dedicating his presidency to encouraging greater diversity within the legal profession.