Former ABA President and Detroit Mayor Will be Honored at Diversity Gala

The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) announces Dennis W. Archer as the recipient of its 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award. He will be honored September 11 at MCCA’s Diversity Honors Gala, a red carpet event at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City.

Civil rights pioneer Vernon E. Jordan, Jr. received the award in 2011. 

Mr. Archer is being honored for making important and lasting contributions to advancing a society that fully appreciates, celebrates and recognizes the value of diversity. During his long career, he has served both as the first African-American president of the American Bar Association and as mayor of Detroit, Michigan.

“Dennis Archer has worked tirelessly in law, politics, business and education to create opportunities and improve the lives of countless Americans,” said Joseph West, president and CEO of MCCA. “His remarkable record of service and achievement has won him acclaim not only in Michigan but also across the nation. MCCA is honored to recognize him with the Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Earning his Juris Doctor from Detroit College of Law in 1970, Archer worked as trial lawyer and partner in several Detroit firms, while also teaching as associate professor of the Detroit College of Law and adjunct professor at Wayne State University Law School.

He served as associate justice of the Michigan Supreme Court 1985-1990 and was named the state’s most respected judge by Michigan Lawyers Weekly in 1990. He was the first person of color elected president of the State Bar of Michigan (1984-1985) and the American Bar Association (2003-2004).

Elected Detroit’s mayor in 1994, Mr. Archer served two terms and earned widespread respect for his success in changing the city’s image and direction. He served on the Board of Trustees of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and was president of the National League of Cities from 2000-2001

He is chairman and CEO of Dennis W. Archer PLLC and chairman emeritus of Dickinson Wright PLLC, a Detroit-based law firm. He sits on the corporate boards of Johnson Controls Inc., Compuware Corporation and Masco Corporation.

Being held at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Diversity Honors Gala will honor those who have made outstanding contributions to diversity in the legal field. It will begin with an awards program in the Starr Theater that combines honors with entertainment, followed by an elegant VIP Reception in Alice Tully Hall. About 1,200 attendees are expected.

To learn more about MCCA’s Diversity Honors Gala and sponsorship opportunities, visit MCCA Diversity Honors Gala or contact Jennifer Chen, vice president, External Relations at JenChen@mcca.com or (202) 739-5902.